USB not yet
(Sorry for replying in English)
The USB-RS232 convertors are designed to drive only simple devices, like a serial mouse. For the communication to the EIB RS232 devices, the signal lines (like RTS, CTS) have to be used, ... and such a thing is simply not possible on the USB protocol.
One could imagine an expensive convertor (home made), but this would still have timing problems.
So, technically, it is imposssible to have a USB-RS232 convertor that connects to EIB (if you know of one ... please tell us).
Solutions:
1. Plug-in cards with RS232 interface
Some laptops foresee the possibility to insert an ISA or PCI card.
Such cards exist that provide one or two RS232 ports.
MOST of these DO function, but SOME (not always the cheaper ones) are not compliant to the full specifications of the 16550 UART (e.g. the ones based on a chipset of Oxford-Semiconductor, but you can not know that if you see the card).
2. Expensive: LAN connection
One could use the laptop as iETS client and have either on old computer (_with_ RS232 interface) as iETS server, or use one of the commercially available embedded iETS server devices.
Meanwhile, several EIB manufacturers have recognised the problem. A USB device and driver are being developed, but are not yet ready. Most probably you will be informed via our Web-site, the ETS E-mail service or the EIB Journal about when it will be available.
Mr. Steven De Bruyne
System Department - KNX Association
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