picstart plus
Yes, you are right; getting an off-the-shelf USB to RS232 adapter will enable us in using the USB port. But my main intention was not to use any power adapter with the programmer. If we can use the USB interface, 5V available on the USB can be used to power the programmer. Obviously the part of the circuit which generates 13V from a 9V DC input, in the standard circuit, has to be modified. But with a standard USB to RS232 converter, 5V supply will not be available for external use.