USB vs. Serial?
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AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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USB vs. Serial?
I have an 06 A4, so I need CAN. Should I go with USB or Serial? My laptops have have both ports and plenty of CPU. Is there other software that is useful that only works on either cable?
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Here ya go:
Serial-vs-USB:
USB is good at sending large packets of data very quickly. Serial is good at sending small packets of data with very precise protocol timing. The communication in the vehicle is much closer to Serial than it is to USB. If you have both a Serial and USB port on your laptop, we recommend you get a Serial Interface. The protocol timing of Serial is ever-so-slightly better than USB. Serial Interfaces can be extended up to 50-ft with standard straight-through Serial cable, whereas the USB standard does not support extensions. Our USB Interfaces require you to install a driver whereas our Serial Interfaces do not. Finally, our Serial Interfaces are a little less expensive than our USB Interfaces.
If your PC has ONLY a Serial port or ONLY a USB port, then your choice has been made for you. Remember that Serial<->USB USB<->RS-232 converters are often unable to handle the baud rate and timing requirements that are demanded by many control modules using the VAG protocol. We have had very poor results with most available USB<->RS-232 converters, therefore USB<->RS232 converters are "Not Supported." Please do not ask us for technical assistance if you are using one of these converters.
USB is good at sending large packets of data very quickly. Serial is good at sending small packets of data with very precise protocol timing. The communication in the vehicle is much closer to Serial than it is to USB. If you have both a Serial and USB port on your laptop, we recommend you get a Serial Interface. The protocol timing of Serial is ever-so-slightly better than USB. Serial Interfaces can be extended up to 50-ft with standard straight-through Serial cable, whereas the USB standard does not support extensions. Our USB Interfaces require you to install a driver whereas our Serial Interfaces do not. Finally, our Serial Interfaces are a little less expensive than our USB Interfaces.
If your PC has ONLY a Serial port or ONLY a USB port, then your choice has been made for you. Remember that Serial<->USB USB<->RS-232 converters are often unable to handle the baud rate and timing requirements that are demanded by many control modules using the VAG protocol. We have had very poor results with most available USB<->RS-232 converters, therefore USB<->RS232 converters are "Not Supported." Please do not ask us for technical assistance if you are using one of these converters.
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