I am experiencing a frustrating problem that I have seen using more than one brand of USB-serial converter.

I use a USB-serial converter as part of a Megasquirt system on my car.  When exposed to ignition system noise on the car, the USB-serial converter will lock up and stop transferring data until I disconnect and reconnect the USB connection.

Has anyone else seen this?

Just today I mocked up my serial setup on the bench and used a Van de Graaff generator to create some broadband noise to try and simulate the effect of the car’s ignition system.  Sure enough, eventually the USB-serial converter I was testing locked up.  Same exact symptoms – crash.  Without the noise source, the connection works indefinitely.