PICAXE's AXE027 download cable has a USB-to-TTL RS-232 converter circuit on a small printed circuit board (PCB), which is embedded within a molded USB Type A connector at one end and a 3.5 mm miniature stereo plug at the other end. No other programming equipment is required.

The PICAXE system uses a serial comm cable to send a program from the program editor in a PC directly into the chip. You may have assembled your first circuit on a solderless breadboard using only a few dollars in parts and written and debugged a program with the fun and exciting simulator built in to the free programming editor, only to discover that transferring the program from your PC into the PICAXE chip required a special USB download cable. A PICAXE provides a low cost way to get started with microprocessors. Many hobbyists are reluctant to venture into new technology because of startup costs. Ample info and tips are available in forums and published manuals. The chips are inexpensive, and the editing software for writing and testing the program is a free download. PICAXE chips are Flash-programmed PIC processors containing a proprietary interpreter that offers powerful, easy-to-use, BASIC-like instructions.

PICAXE products offer an attractive alternative to novices who lack experience using microprocessors and would like to learn more about them without a major investment in development tools and software training.

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