It is possible to find any number of sources and suppliers for products that provide USB to RS232 Serial port connectivity. One can find these for as low as $5 US on eBay up to $25 and more at retail outlets. Here is a link to a typical product...

http://www.national-tech.com/specs/10u1-06103.htm

Now my question.....has anyone encountered a similar product that would connect from USB to either RS422 4-wire interface or RS482 2-wire interface?

I have need to be able to connect a test bench for a product that has internal RS485 bus to a modern PC notebook computer. My desire is to achieve the connection with as little fuss and cost as possible and a cable of the USB to RS485 would be most ideal. I know that there are ready made adapters that go from RS232 to RS485 that could be used with the standard USB to RS232 type cable.....but I am looking for a cleaner solution.

I could also make my own using the Cygnal 2101 chip but my volume requirement is not so high as to warrent getting into making the circuit board and all.

Michael Karas