diff --git a/boards.txt b/boards.txt
index 3f5db4d..a68e840 100644
--- a/boards.txt
+++ b/boards.txt
@@ -233,10 +233,11 @@ leonardo.build.mcu=atmega32u4
 leonardo.build.f_cpu=16000000L
 leonardo.build.vid=0x2341
 leonardo.build.pid=0x8036
+leonardo.build.usb_product="Arduino Leonardo"
 leonardo.build.board=AVR_LEONARDO
 leonardo.build.core=arduino
 leonardo.build.variant=leonardo
-leonardo.build.extra_flags=-DUSB_VID={build.vid} -DUSB_PID={build.pid}
+leonardo.build.extra_flags={build.usb_flags}
 
 ##############################################################
 
@@ -262,10 +263,11 @@ micro.build.mcu=atmega32u4
 micro.build.f_cpu=16000000L
 micro.build.vid=0x2341
 micro.build.pid=0x8037
+micro.build.usb_product="Arduino Micro"
 micro.build.board=AVR_MICRO
 micro.build.core=arduino
 micro.build.variant=micro
-micro.build.extra_flags=-DUSB_VID={build.vid} -DUSB_PID={build.pid}
+micro.build.extra_flags={build.usb_flags}
 
 ##############################################################
 
@@ -295,10 +297,11 @@ esplora.build.mcu=atmega32u4
 esplora.build.f_cpu=16000000L
 esplora.build.vid=0x2341
 esplora.build.pid=0x803c
+esplora.build.usb_product="Arduino Esplora"
 esplora.build.board=AVR_ESPLORA
 esplora.build.core=arduino
 esplora.build.variant=leonardo
-esplora.build.extra_flags=-DUSB_VID={build.vid} -DUSB_PID={build.pid}
+esplora.build.extra_flags={build.usb_flags}
 
 ##############################################################
 
@@ -456,15 +459,15 @@ LilyPadUSB.bootloader.extended_fuses=0xce
 LilyPadUSB.bootloader.file=caterina-LilyPadUSB/Caterina-LilyPadUSB.hex
 LilyPadUSB.bootloader.unlock_bits=0x3F
 LilyPadUSB.bootloader.lock_bits=0x2F
-
 LilyPadUSB.build.mcu=atmega32u4
 LilyPadUSB.build.f_cpu=8000000L
 LilyPadUSB.build.vid=0x1B4F
 LilyPadUSB.build.pid=0x9208
+LilyPadUSB.build.usb_product="LilyPad USB"
 LilyPadUSB.build.board=AVR_LILYPAD_USB
 LilyPadUSB.build.core=arduino
 LilyPadUSB.build.variant=leonardo
-LilyPadUSB.build.extra_flags=-DUSB_VID={build.vid} -DUSB_PID={build.pid}
+LilyPadUSB.build.extra_flags={build.usb_flags}
 
 ##############################################################
 
diff --git a/cores/arduino/CDC.cpp b/cores/arduino/CDC.cpp
index 701e483..fb25a96 100644
--- a/cores/arduino/CDC.cpp
+++ b/cores/arduino/CDC.cpp
@@ -23,21 +23,6 @@
 #if defined(USBCON)
 #ifdef CDC_ENABLED
 
-#if (RAMEND < 1000)
-#define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 16
-#else
-#define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 64
-#endif
-
-struct ring_buffer
-{
-	unsigned char buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
-	volatile int head;
-	volatile int tail;
-};
-
-ring_buffer cdc_rx_buffer = { { 0 }, 0, 0};
-
 typedef struct
 {
 	u32	dwDTERate;
@@ -140,8 +125,7 @@ void Serial_::end(void)
 
 void Serial_::accept(void) 
 {
-	ring_buffer *buffer = &cdc_rx_buffer;
-	int i = (unsigned int)(buffer->head+1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+	int i = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer_head+1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
 	// if we should be storing the received character into the location
 	// just before the tail (meaning that the head would advance to the
@@ -149,42 +133,39 @@ void Serial_::accept(void)
 	// and so we don't write the character or advance the head.
 
 	// while we have room to store a byte
-	while (i != buffer->tail) {
+	while (i != _rx_buffer_tail) {
 		int c = USB_Recv(CDC_RX);
 		if (c == -1)
 			break;	// no more data
-		buffer->buffer[buffer->head] = c;
-		buffer->head = i;
+		_rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_head] = c;
+		_rx_buffer_head = i;
 
-		i = (unsigned int)(buffer->head+1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+		i = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer_head+1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	}
 }
 
 int Serial_::available(void)
 {
-	ring_buffer *buffer = &cdc_rx_buffer;
-	return (unsigned int)(SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE + buffer->head - buffer->tail) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+	return (unsigned int)(SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE + _rx_buffer_head - _rx_buffer_tail) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 }
 
 int Serial_::peek(void)
 {
-	ring_buffer *buffer = &cdc_rx_buffer;
-	if (buffer->head == buffer->tail) {
+	if (_rx_buffer_head == _rx_buffer_tail) {
 		return -1;
 	} else {
-		return buffer->buffer[buffer->tail];
+		return _rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_tail];
 	}
 }
 
 int Serial_::read(void)
 {
-	ring_buffer *buffer = &cdc_rx_buffer;
 	// if the head isn't ahead of the tail, we don't have any characters
-	if (buffer->head == buffer->tail) {
+	if (_rx_buffer_head == _rx_buffer_tail) {
 		return -1;
 	} else {
-		unsigned char c = buffer->buffer[buffer->tail];
-		buffer->tail = (unsigned int)(buffer->tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+		unsigned char c = _rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_tail];
+		_rx_buffer_tail = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 		return c;
 	}	
 }
diff --git a/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial.cpp b/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial.cpp
index eb2365f..e40bfbc 100644
--- a/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial.cpp
+++ b/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial.cpp
@@ -49,55 +49,17 @@
 #endif
 #endif
 
-// Define constants and variables for buffering incoming serial data.  We're
-// using a ring buffer (I think), in which head is the index of the location
-// to which to write the next incoming character and tail is the index of the
-// location from which to read.
-#if (RAMEND < 1000)
-  #define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 16
-#else
-  #define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 64
-#endif
-
-struct ring_buffer
+inline void store_char(unsigned char c, HardwareSerial *s)
 {
-  unsigned char buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
-  volatile unsigned int head;
-  volatile unsigned int tail;
-};
-
-#if defined(USBCON)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer = { { 0 }, 0, 0};
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer = { { 0 }, 0, 0};
-#endif
-#if defined(UBRRH) || defined(UBRR0H)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-#endif
-#if defined(UBRR1H)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer1  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer1  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-#endif
-#if defined(UBRR2H)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer2  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer2  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-#endif
-#if defined(UBRR3H)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer3  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer3  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-#endif
-
-inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
-{
-  int i = (unsigned int)(buffer->head + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+  int i = (unsigned int)(s->_rx_buffer_head + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 
   // if we should be storing the received character into the location
   // just before the tail (meaning that the head would advance to the
   // current location of the tail), we're about to overflow the buffer
   // and so we don't write the character or advance the head.
-  if (i != buffer->tail) {
-    buffer->buffer[buffer->head] = c;
-    buffer->head = i;
+  if (i != s->_rx_buffer_tail) {
+    s->_rx_buffer[s->_rx_buffer_head] = c;
+    s->_rx_buffer_head = i;
   }
 }
 
@@ -122,7 +84,7 @@ inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
   #if defined(UDR0)
     if (bit_is_clear(UCSR0A, UPE0)) {
       unsigned char c = UDR0;
-      store_char(c, &rx_buffer);
+      store_char(c, &Serial);
     } else {
       unsigned char c = UDR0;
     };
@@ -148,7 +110,7 @@ inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
   {
     if (bit_is_clear(UCSR1A, UPE1)) {
       unsigned char c = UDR1;
-      store_char(c, &rx_buffer1);
+      store_char(c, &Serial1);
     } else {
       unsigned char c = UDR1;
     };
@@ -163,7 +125,7 @@ inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
   {
     if (bit_is_clear(UCSR2A, UPE2)) {
       unsigned char c = UDR2;
-      store_char(c, &rx_buffer2);
+      store_char(c, &Serial2);
     } else {
       unsigned char c = UDR2;
     };
@@ -178,7 +140,7 @@ inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
   {
     if (bit_is_clear(UCSR3A, UPE3)) {
       unsigned char c = UDR3;
-      store_char(c, &rx_buffer3);
+      store_char(c, &Serial3);
     } else {
       unsigned char c = UDR3;
     };
@@ -218,7 +180,7 @@ ISR(USART0_UDRE_vect)
 ISR(USART_UDRE_vect)
 #endif
 {
-  if (tx_buffer.head == tx_buffer.tail) {
+  if (Serial._tx_buffer_head == Serial._tx_buffer_tail) {
 	// Buffer empty, so disable interrupts
 #if defined(UCSR0B)
     cbi(UCSR0B, UDRIE0);
@@ -228,8 +190,8 @@ ISR(USART_UDRE_vect)
   }
   else {
     // There is more data in the output buffer. Send the next byte
-    unsigned char c = tx_buffer.buffer[tx_buffer.tail];
-    tx_buffer.tail = (tx_buffer.tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = Serial._tx_buffer[Serial._tx_buffer_tail];
+    Serial._tx_buffer_tail = (Serial._tx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
   #if defined(UDR0)
     UDR0 = c;
@@ -246,14 +208,14 @@ ISR(USART_UDRE_vect)
 #ifdef USART1_UDRE_vect
 ISR(USART1_UDRE_vect)
 {
-  if (tx_buffer1.head == tx_buffer1.tail) {
+  if (Serial1._tx_buffer_head == Serial1._tx_buffer_tail) {
 	// Buffer empty, so disable interrupts
     cbi(UCSR1B, UDRIE1);
   }
   else {
     // There is more data in the output buffer. Send the next byte
-    unsigned char c = tx_buffer1.buffer[tx_buffer1.tail];
-    tx_buffer1.tail = (tx_buffer1.tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = Serial1._tx_buffer[Serial1._tx_buffer_tail];
+    Serial1._tx_buffer_tail = (Serial1._tx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
     UDR1 = c;
   }
@@ -263,14 +225,14 @@ ISR(USART1_UDRE_vect)
 #ifdef USART2_UDRE_vect
 ISR(USART2_UDRE_vect)
 {
-  if (tx_buffer2.head == tx_buffer2.tail) {
+  if (Serial2._tx_buffer_head == Serial2._tx_buffer_tail) {
 	// Buffer empty, so disable interrupts
     cbi(UCSR2B, UDRIE2);
   }
   else {
     // There is more data in the output buffer. Send the next byte
-    unsigned char c = tx_buffer2.buffer[tx_buffer2.tail];
-    tx_buffer2.tail = (tx_buffer2.tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = Serial2._tx_buffer[Serial2._tx_buffer_tail];
+    Serial2._tx_buffer_tail = (Serial2._tx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
     UDR2 = c;
   }
@@ -280,31 +242,30 @@ ISR(USART2_UDRE_vect)
 #ifdef USART3_UDRE_vect
 ISR(USART3_UDRE_vect)
 {
-  if (tx_buffer3.head == tx_buffer3.tail) {
+  if (Serial3._tx_buffer_head == Serial3._tx_buffer_tail) {
 	// Buffer empty, so disable interrupts
     cbi(UCSR3B, UDRIE3);
   }
   else {
     // There is more data in the output buffer. Send the next byte
-    unsigned char c = tx_buffer3.buffer[tx_buffer3.tail];
-    tx_buffer3.tail = (tx_buffer3.tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = Serial3._tx_buffer[Serial3._tx_buffer_tail];
+    Serial3._tx_buffer_tail = (Serial3._tx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
     UDR3 = c;
   }
 }
 #endif
 
-
 // Constructors ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-HardwareSerial::HardwareSerial(ring_buffer *rx_buffer, ring_buffer *tx_buffer,
+HardwareSerial::HardwareSerial(
   volatile uint8_t *ubrrh, volatile uint8_t *ubrrl,
   volatile uint8_t *ucsra, volatile uint8_t *ucsrb,
   volatile uint8_t *ucsrc, volatile uint8_t *udr,
   uint8_t rxen, uint8_t txen, uint8_t rxcie, uint8_t udrie, uint8_t u2x)
 {
-  _rx_buffer = rx_buffer;
-  _tx_buffer = tx_buffer;
+  _tx_buffer_head = _tx_buffer_tail = 0;
+  _rx_buffer_head = _rx_buffer_tail = 0;
   _ubrrh = ubrrh;
   _ubrrl = ubrrl;
   _ucsra = ucsra;
@@ -412,7 +373,7 @@ try_again:
 void HardwareSerial::end()
 {
   // wait for transmission of outgoing data
-  while (_tx_buffer->head != _tx_buffer->tail)
+  while (_tx_buffer_head != _tx_buffer_tail)
     ;
 
   cbi(*_ucsrb, _rxen);
@@ -421,31 +382,31 @@ void HardwareSerial::end()
   cbi(*_ucsrb, _udrie);
   
   // clear any received data
-  _rx_buffer->head = _rx_buffer->tail;
+  _rx_buffer_head = _rx_buffer_tail;
 }
 
 int HardwareSerial::available(void)
 {
-  return (unsigned int)(SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE + _rx_buffer->head - _rx_buffer->tail) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+  return (unsigned int)(SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE + _rx_buffer_head - _rx_buffer_tail) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 }
 
 int HardwareSerial::peek(void)
 {
-  if (_rx_buffer->head == _rx_buffer->tail) {
+  if (_rx_buffer_head == _rx_buffer_tail) {
     return -1;
   } else {
-    return _rx_buffer->buffer[_rx_buffer->tail];
+    return _rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_tail];
   }
 }
 
 int HardwareSerial::read(void)
 {
   // if the head isn't ahead of the tail, we don't have any characters
-  if (_rx_buffer->head == _rx_buffer->tail) {
+  if (_rx_buffer_head == _rx_buffer_tail) {
     return -1;
   } else {
-    unsigned char c = _rx_buffer->buffer[_rx_buffer->tail];
-    _rx_buffer->tail = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer->tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = _rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_tail];
+    _rx_buffer_tail = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
     return c;
   }
 }
@@ -459,16 +420,16 @@ void HardwareSerial::flush()
 
 size_t HardwareSerial::write(uint8_t c)
 {
-  int i = (_tx_buffer->head + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+  int i = (_tx_buffer_head + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
   // If the output buffer is full, there's nothing for it other than to 
   // wait for the interrupt handler to empty it a bit
   // ???: return 0 here instead?
-  while (i == _tx_buffer->tail)
+  while (i == _tx_buffer_tail)
     ;
 	
-  _tx_buffer->buffer[_tx_buffer->head] = c;
-  _tx_buffer->head = i;
+  _tx_buffer[_tx_buffer_head] = c;
+  _tx_buffer_head = i;
 	
   sbi(*_ucsrb, _udrie);
   // clear the TXC bit -- "can be cleared by writing a one to its bit location"
@@ -485,9 +446,9 @@ HardwareSerial::operator bool() {
 // Preinstantiate Objects //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 #if defined(UBRRH) && defined(UBRRL)
-  HardwareSerial Serial(&rx_buffer, &tx_buffer, &UBRRH, &UBRRL, &UCSRA, &UCSRB, &UCSRC, &UDR, RXEN, TXEN, RXCIE, UDRIE, U2X);
+  HardwareSerial Serial(&UBRRH, &UBRRL, &UCSRA, &UCSRB, &UCSRC, &UDR, RXEN, TXEN, RXCIE, UDRIE, U2X);
 #elif defined(UBRR0H) && defined(UBRR0L)
-  HardwareSerial Serial(&rx_buffer, &tx_buffer, &UBRR0H, &UBRR0L, &UCSR0A, &UCSR0B, &UCSR0C, &UDR0, RXEN0, TXEN0, RXCIE0, UDRIE0, U2X0);
+  HardwareSerial Serial(&UBRR0H, &UBRR0L, &UCSR0A, &UCSR0B, &UCSR0C, &UDR0, RXEN0, TXEN0, RXCIE0, UDRIE0, U2X0);
 #elif defined(USBCON)
   // do nothing - Serial object and buffers are initialized in CDC code
 #else
@@ -495,13 +456,13 @@ HardwareSerial::operator bool() {
 #endif
 
 #if defined(UBRR1H)
-  HardwareSerial Serial1(&rx_buffer1, &tx_buffer1, &UBRR1H, &UBRR1L, &UCSR1A, &UCSR1B, &UCSR1C, &UDR1, RXEN1, TXEN1, RXCIE1, UDRIE1, U2X1);
+  HardwareSerial Serial1(&UBRR1H, &UBRR1L, &UCSR1A, &UCSR1B, &UCSR1C, &UDR1, RXEN1, TXEN1, RXCIE1, UDRIE1, U2X1);
 #endif
 #if defined(UBRR2H)
-  HardwareSerial Serial2(&rx_buffer2, &tx_buffer2, &UBRR2H, &UBRR2L, &UCSR2A, &UCSR2B, &UCSR2C, &UDR2, RXEN2, TXEN2, RXCIE2, UDRIE2, U2X2);
+  HardwareSerial Serial2(&UBRR2H, &UBRR2L, &UCSR2A, &UCSR2B, &UCSR2C, &UDR2, RXEN2, TXEN2, RXCIE2, UDRIE2, U2X2);
 #endif
 #if defined(UBRR3H)
-  HardwareSerial Serial3(&rx_buffer3, &tx_buffer3, &UBRR3H, &UBRR3L, &UCSR3A, &UCSR3B, &UCSR3C, &UDR3, RXEN3, TXEN3, RXCIE3, UDRIE3, U2X3);
+  HardwareSerial Serial3(&UBRR3H, &UBRR3L, &UCSR3A, &UCSR3B, &UCSR3C, &UDR3, RXEN3, TXEN3, RXCIE3, UDRIE3, U2X3);
 #endif
 
 #endif // whole file
diff --git a/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial.h b/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial.h
index a73117f..0f62262 100644
--- a/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial.h
+++ b/cores/arduino/HardwareSerial.h
@@ -27,13 +27,19 @@
 
 #include "Stream.h"
 
-struct ring_buffer;
+// Define constants and variables for buffering incoming serial data.  We're
+// using a ring buffer (I think), in which head is the index of the location
+// to which to write the next incoming character and tail is the index of the
+// location from which to read.
+#if (RAMEND < 1000)
+  #define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 16
+#else
+  #define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 64
+#endif
 
 class HardwareSerial : public Stream
 {
-  private:
-    ring_buffer *_rx_buffer;
-    ring_buffer *_tx_buffer;
+  protected:
     volatile uint8_t *_ubrrh;
     volatile uint8_t *_ubrrl;
     volatile uint8_t *_ucsra;
@@ -46,8 +52,20 @@ class HardwareSerial : public Stream
     uint8_t _udrie;
     uint8_t _u2x;
     bool transmitting;
+
   public:
-    HardwareSerial(ring_buffer *rx_buffer, ring_buffer *tx_buffer,
+    volatile uint8_t _rx_buffer_head;
+    volatile uint8_t _rx_buffer_tail;
+    volatile uint8_t _tx_buffer_head;
+    volatile uint8_t _tx_buffer_tail;
+
+    // Don't put any members after these buffers, since only the first
+    // 32 bytes of this struct can be accessed quickly using the ldd
+    // instruction.
+    unsigned char _rx_buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
+    unsigned char _tx_buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
+
+    HardwareSerial(
       volatile uint8_t *ubrrh, volatile uint8_t *ubrrl,
       volatile uint8_t *ucsra, volatile uint8_t *ucsrb,
       volatile uint8_t *ucsrc, volatile uint8_t *udr,
diff --git a/cores/arduino/USBAPI.h b/cores/arduino/USBAPI.h
index eb2e593..cabecf3 100644
--- a/cores/arduino/USBAPI.h
+++ b/cores/arduino/USBAPI.h
@@ -25,10 +25,16 @@ extern USBDevice_ USBDevice;
 //================================================================================
 //	Serial over CDC (Serial1 is the physical port)
 
+struct ring_buffer;
+
+#if (RAMEND < 1000)
+#define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 16
+#else
+#define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 64
+#endif
+
 class Serial_ : public Stream
 {
-private:
-	ring_buffer *_cdc_rx_buffer;
 public:
 	void begin(uint16_t baud_count);
 	void end(void);
@@ -41,6 +47,10 @@ public:
 	virtual size_t write(uint8_t);
 	using Print::write; // pull in write(str) and write(buf, size) from Print
 	operator bool();
+
+	volatile uint8_t _rx_buffer_head;
+	volatile uint8_t _rx_buffer_tail;
+	unsigned char _rx_buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
 };
 extern Serial_ Serial;
 
@@ -193,4 +203,4 @@ void USB_Flush(uint8_t ep);
 
 #endif
 
-#endif /* if defined(USBCON) */
\ No newline at end of file
+#endif /* if defined(USBCON) */
diff --git a/cores/arduino/USBCore.cpp b/cores/arduino/USBCore.cpp
index d41aad3..c46c75f 100644
--- a/cores/arduino/USBCore.cpp
+++ b/cores/arduino/USBCore.cpp
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ volatile u8 RxLEDPulse; /**< Milliseconds remaining for data Rx LED pulse */
 //==================================================================
 
 extern const u16 STRING_LANGUAGE[] PROGMEM;
-extern const u16 STRING_IPRODUCT[] PROGMEM;
-extern const u16 STRING_IMANUFACTURER[] PROGMEM;
+extern const u8 STRING_PRODUCT[] PROGMEM;
+extern const u8 STRING_MANUFACTURER[] PROGMEM;
 extern const DeviceDescriptor USB_DeviceDescriptor PROGMEM;
 extern const DeviceDescriptor USB_DeviceDescriptorA PROGMEM;
 
@@ -49,33 +49,24 @@ const u16 STRING_LANGUAGE[2] = {
 	0x0409	// English
 };
 
-const u16 STRING_IPRODUCT[17] = {
-	(3<<8) | (2+2*16),
-#if USB_PID == 0x8036	
-	'A','r','d','u','i','n','o',' ','L','e','o','n','a','r','d','o'
-#elif USB_PID == 0x8037
-	'A','r','d','u','i','n','o',' ','M','i','c','r','o',' ',' ',' '
-#elif USB_PID == 0x803C
-	'A','r','d','u','i','n','o',' ','E','s','p','l','o','r','a',' '
-#elif USB_PID == 0x8041
-	'A','r','d','u','i','n','o',' ','Y','u','n',' ',' ',' ',' ',' '
-#elif USB_PID == 0x9208
-	'L','i','l','y','P','a','d','U','S','B',' ',' ',' ',' ',' ',' '
-#else
-	'U','S','B',' ','I','O',' ','B','o','a','r','d',' ',' ',' ',' '
+#ifndef USB_PRODUCT
+// If no product is provided, use USB IO Board
+#define USB_PRODUCT     "USB IO Board"
 #endif
-};
 
-const u16 STRING_IMANUFACTURER[12] = {
-	(3<<8) | (2+2*11),
+const u8 STRING_PRODUCT[] PROGMEM = USB_PRODUCT;
+
 #if USB_VID == 0x2341
-	'A','r','d','u','i','n','o',' ','L','L','C'
+#define USB_MANUFACTURER "Arduino LLC"
 #elif USB_VID == 0x1b4f
-	'S','p','a','r','k','F','u','n',' ',' ',' '
-#else
-	'U','n','k','n','o','w','n',' ',' ',' ',' '
+#define USB_MANUFACTURER "SparkFun"
+#elif !defined(USB_MANUFACTURER)
+// Fall through to unknown if no manufacturer name was provided in a macro
+#define USB_MANUFACTURER "Unknown"
 #endif
-};
+
+const u8 STRING_MANUFACTURER[] PROGMEM = USB_MANUFACTURER;
+
 
 #ifdef CDC_ENABLED
 #define DEVICE_CLASS 0x02
@@ -418,6 +409,22 @@ int USB_SendControl(u8 flags, const void* d, int len)
 	return sent;
 }
 
+// Send a USB descriptor string. The string is stored in PROGMEM as a
+// plain ASCII string but is sent out as UTF-16 with the correct 2-byte
+// prefix
+static bool USB_SendStringDescriptor(const u8*string_P, u8 string_len) {
+        SendControl(2 + string_len * 2);
+        SendControl(3);
+        for(u8 i = 0; i < string_len; i++) {
+                bool r = SendControl(pgm_read_byte(&string_P[i]));
+                r &= SendControl(0); // high byte
+                if(!r) {
+                        return false;
+                }
+        }
+        return true;
+}
+
 //	Does not timeout or cross fifo boundaries
 //	Will only work for transfers <= 64 bytes
 //	TODO
@@ -478,7 +485,6 @@ bool SendDescriptor(Setup& setup)
 		return HID_GetDescriptor(t);
 #endif
 
-	u8 desc_length = 0;
 	const u8* desc_addr = 0;
 	if (USB_DEVICE_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE == t)
 	{
@@ -488,20 +494,22 @@ bool SendDescriptor(Setup& setup)
 	}
 	else if (USB_STRING_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE == t)
 	{
-		if (setup.wValueL == 0)
+		if (setup.wValueL == 0) {
 			desc_addr = (const u8*)&STRING_LANGUAGE;
-		else if (setup.wValueL == IPRODUCT) 
-			desc_addr = (const u8*)&STRING_IPRODUCT;
-		else if (setup.wValueL == IMANUFACTURER)
-			desc_addr = (const u8*)&STRING_IMANUFACTURER;
+		}
+		else if (setup.wValueL == IPRODUCT) {
+			return USB_SendStringDescriptor(STRING_PRODUCT, strlen(USB_PRODUCT));
+		}
+		else if (setup.wValueL == IMANUFACTURER) {
+			return USB_SendStringDescriptor(STRING_MANUFACTURER, strlen(USB_MANUFACTURER));
+		}
 		else
 			return false;
 	}
 
 	if (desc_addr == 0)
 		return false;
-	if (desc_length == 0)
-		desc_length = pgm_read_byte(desc_addr);
+	u8 desc_length = pgm_read_byte(desc_addr);
 
 	USB_SendControl(TRANSFER_PGM,desc_addr,desc_length);
 	return true;
diff --git a/cores/robot/CDC.cpp b/cores/robot/CDC.cpp
index 701e483..fb25a96 100644
--- a/cores/robot/CDC.cpp
+++ b/cores/robot/CDC.cpp
@@ -23,21 +23,6 @@
 #if defined(USBCON)
 #ifdef CDC_ENABLED
 
-#if (RAMEND < 1000)
-#define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 16
-#else
-#define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 64
-#endif
-
-struct ring_buffer
-{
-	unsigned char buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
-	volatile int head;
-	volatile int tail;
-};
-
-ring_buffer cdc_rx_buffer = { { 0 }, 0, 0};
-
 typedef struct
 {
 	u32	dwDTERate;
@@ -140,8 +125,7 @@ void Serial_::end(void)
 
 void Serial_::accept(void) 
 {
-	ring_buffer *buffer = &cdc_rx_buffer;
-	int i = (unsigned int)(buffer->head+1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+	int i = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer_head+1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
 	// if we should be storing the received character into the location
 	// just before the tail (meaning that the head would advance to the
@@ -149,42 +133,39 @@ void Serial_::accept(void)
 	// and so we don't write the character or advance the head.
 
 	// while we have room to store a byte
-	while (i != buffer->tail) {
+	while (i != _rx_buffer_tail) {
 		int c = USB_Recv(CDC_RX);
 		if (c == -1)
 			break;	// no more data
-		buffer->buffer[buffer->head] = c;
-		buffer->head = i;
+		_rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_head] = c;
+		_rx_buffer_head = i;
 
-		i = (unsigned int)(buffer->head+1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+		i = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer_head+1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	}
 }
 
 int Serial_::available(void)
 {
-	ring_buffer *buffer = &cdc_rx_buffer;
-	return (unsigned int)(SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE + buffer->head - buffer->tail) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+	return (unsigned int)(SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE + _rx_buffer_head - _rx_buffer_tail) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 }
 
 int Serial_::peek(void)
 {
-	ring_buffer *buffer = &cdc_rx_buffer;
-	if (buffer->head == buffer->tail) {
+	if (_rx_buffer_head == _rx_buffer_tail) {
 		return -1;
 	} else {
-		return buffer->buffer[buffer->tail];
+		return _rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_tail];
 	}
 }
 
 int Serial_::read(void)
 {
-	ring_buffer *buffer = &cdc_rx_buffer;
 	// if the head isn't ahead of the tail, we don't have any characters
-	if (buffer->head == buffer->tail) {
+	if (_rx_buffer_head == _rx_buffer_tail) {
 		return -1;
 	} else {
-		unsigned char c = buffer->buffer[buffer->tail];
-		buffer->tail = (unsigned int)(buffer->tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+		unsigned char c = _rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_tail];
+		_rx_buffer_tail = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 		return c;
 	}	
 }
diff --git a/cores/robot/HardwareSerial.cpp b/cores/robot/HardwareSerial.cpp
index eb2365f..e40bfbc 100644
--- a/cores/robot/HardwareSerial.cpp
+++ b/cores/robot/HardwareSerial.cpp
@@ -49,55 +49,17 @@
 #endif
 #endif
 
-// Define constants and variables for buffering incoming serial data.  We're
-// using a ring buffer (I think), in which head is the index of the location
-// to which to write the next incoming character and tail is the index of the
-// location from which to read.
-#if (RAMEND < 1000)
-  #define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 16
-#else
-  #define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 64
-#endif
-
-struct ring_buffer
+inline void store_char(unsigned char c, HardwareSerial *s)
 {
-  unsigned char buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
-  volatile unsigned int head;
-  volatile unsigned int tail;
-};
-
-#if defined(USBCON)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer = { { 0 }, 0, 0};
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer = { { 0 }, 0, 0};
-#endif
-#if defined(UBRRH) || defined(UBRR0H)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-#endif
-#if defined(UBRR1H)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer1  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer1  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-#endif
-#if defined(UBRR2H)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer2  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer2  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-#endif
-#if defined(UBRR3H)
-  ring_buffer rx_buffer3  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-  ring_buffer tx_buffer3  =  { { 0 }, 0, 0 };
-#endif
-
-inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
-{
-  int i = (unsigned int)(buffer->head + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+  int i = (unsigned int)(s->_rx_buffer_head + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 
   // if we should be storing the received character into the location
   // just before the tail (meaning that the head would advance to the
   // current location of the tail), we're about to overflow the buffer
   // and so we don't write the character or advance the head.
-  if (i != buffer->tail) {
-    buffer->buffer[buffer->head] = c;
-    buffer->head = i;
+  if (i != s->_rx_buffer_tail) {
+    s->_rx_buffer[s->_rx_buffer_head] = c;
+    s->_rx_buffer_head = i;
   }
 }
 
@@ -122,7 +84,7 @@ inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
   #if defined(UDR0)
     if (bit_is_clear(UCSR0A, UPE0)) {
       unsigned char c = UDR0;
-      store_char(c, &rx_buffer);
+      store_char(c, &Serial);
     } else {
       unsigned char c = UDR0;
     };
@@ -148,7 +110,7 @@ inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
   {
     if (bit_is_clear(UCSR1A, UPE1)) {
       unsigned char c = UDR1;
-      store_char(c, &rx_buffer1);
+      store_char(c, &Serial1);
     } else {
       unsigned char c = UDR1;
     };
@@ -163,7 +125,7 @@ inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
   {
     if (bit_is_clear(UCSR2A, UPE2)) {
       unsigned char c = UDR2;
-      store_char(c, &rx_buffer2);
+      store_char(c, &Serial2);
     } else {
       unsigned char c = UDR2;
     };
@@ -178,7 +140,7 @@ inline void store_char(unsigned char c, ring_buffer *buffer)
   {
     if (bit_is_clear(UCSR3A, UPE3)) {
       unsigned char c = UDR3;
-      store_char(c, &rx_buffer3);
+      store_char(c, &Serial3);
     } else {
       unsigned char c = UDR3;
     };
@@ -218,7 +180,7 @@ ISR(USART0_UDRE_vect)
 ISR(USART_UDRE_vect)
 #endif
 {
-  if (tx_buffer.head == tx_buffer.tail) {
+  if (Serial._tx_buffer_head == Serial._tx_buffer_tail) {
 	// Buffer empty, so disable interrupts
 #if defined(UCSR0B)
     cbi(UCSR0B, UDRIE0);
@@ -228,8 +190,8 @@ ISR(USART_UDRE_vect)
   }
   else {
     // There is more data in the output buffer. Send the next byte
-    unsigned char c = tx_buffer.buffer[tx_buffer.tail];
-    tx_buffer.tail = (tx_buffer.tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = Serial._tx_buffer[Serial._tx_buffer_tail];
+    Serial._tx_buffer_tail = (Serial._tx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
   #if defined(UDR0)
     UDR0 = c;
@@ -246,14 +208,14 @@ ISR(USART_UDRE_vect)
 #ifdef USART1_UDRE_vect
 ISR(USART1_UDRE_vect)
 {
-  if (tx_buffer1.head == tx_buffer1.tail) {
+  if (Serial1._tx_buffer_head == Serial1._tx_buffer_tail) {
 	// Buffer empty, so disable interrupts
     cbi(UCSR1B, UDRIE1);
   }
   else {
     // There is more data in the output buffer. Send the next byte
-    unsigned char c = tx_buffer1.buffer[tx_buffer1.tail];
-    tx_buffer1.tail = (tx_buffer1.tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = Serial1._tx_buffer[Serial1._tx_buffer_tail];
+    Serial1._tx_buffer_tail = (Serial1._tx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
     UDR1 = c;
   }
@@ -263,14 +225,14 @@ ISR(USART1_UDRE_vect)
 #ifdef USART2_UDRE_vect
 ISR(USART2_UDRE_vect)
 {
-  if (tx_buffer2.head == tx_buffer2.tail) {
+  if (Serial2._tx_buffer_head == Serial2._tx_buffer_tail) {
 	// Buffer empty, so disable interrupts
     cbi(UCSR2B, UDRIE2);
   }
   else {
     // There is more data in the output buffer. Send the next byte
-    unsigned char c = tx_buffer2.buffer[tx_buffer2.tail];
-    tx_buffer2.tail = (tx_buffer2.tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = Serial2._tx_buffer[Serial2._tx_buffer_tail];
+    Serial2._tx_buffer_tail = (Serial2._tx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
     UDR2 = c;
   }
@@ -280,31 +242,30 @@ ISR(USART2_UDRE_vect)
 #ifdef USART3_UDRE_vect
 ISR(USART3_UDRE_vect)
 {
-  if (tx_buffer3.head == tx_buffer3.tail) {
+  if (Serial3._tx_buffer_head == Serial3._tx_buffer_tail) {
 	// Buffer empty, so disable interrupts
     cbi(UCSR3B, UDRIE3);
   }
   else {
     // There is more data in the output buffer. Send the next byte
-    unsigned char c = tx_buffer3.buffer[tx_buffer3.tail];
-    tx_buffer3.tail = (tx_buffer3.tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = Serial3._tx_buffer[Serial3._tx_buffer_tail];
+    Serial3._tx_buffer_tail = (Serial3._tx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
     UDR3 = c;
   }
 }
 #endif
 
-
 // Constructors ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-HardwareSerial::HardwareSerial(ring_buffer *rx_buffer, ring_buffer *tx_buffer,
+HardwareSerial::HardwareSerial(
   volatile uint8_t *ubrrh, volatile uint8_t *ubrrl,
   volatile uint8_t *ucsra, volatile uint8_t *ucsrb,
   volatile uint8_t *ucsrc, volatile uint8_t *udr,
   uint8_t rxen, uint8_t txen, uint8_t rxcie, uint8_t udrie, uint8_t u2x)
 {
-  _rx_buffer = rx_buffer;
-  _tx_buffer = tx_buffer;
+  _tx_buffer_head = _tx_buffer_tail = 0;
+  _rx_buffer_head = _rx_buffer_tail = 0;
   _ubrrh = ubrrh;
   _ubrrl = ubrrl;
   _ucsra = ucsra;
@@ -412,7 +373,7 @@ try_again:
 void HardwareSerial::end()
 {
   // wait for transmission of outgoing data
-  while (_tx_buffer->head != _tx_buffer->tail)
+  while (_tx_buffer_head != _tx_buffer_tail)
     ;
 
   cbi(*_ucsrb, _rxen);
@@ -421,31 +382,31 @@ void HardwareSerial::end()
   cbi(*_ucsrb, _udrie);
   
   // clear any received data
-  _rx_buffer->head = _rx_buffer->tail;
+  _rx_buffer_head = _rx_buffer_tail;
 }
 
 int HardwareSerial::available(void)
 {
-  return (unsigned int)(SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE + _rx_buffer->head - _rx_buffer->tail) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+  return (unsigned int)(SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE + _rx_buffer_head - _rx_buffer_tail) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 }
 
 int HardwareSerial::peek(void)
 {
-  if (_rx_buffer->head == _rx_buffer->tail) {
+  if (_rx_buffer_head == _rx_buffer_tail) {
     return -1;
   } else {
-    return _rx_buffer->buffer[_rx_buffer->tail];
+    return _rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_tail];
   }
 }
 
 int HardwareSerial::read(void)
 {
   // if the head isn't ahead of the tail, we don't have any characters
-  if (_rx_buffer->head == _rx_buffer->tail) {
+  if (_rx_buffer_head == _rx_buffer_tail) {
     return -1;
   } else {
-    unsigned char c = _rx_buffer->buffer[_rx_buffer->tail];
-    _rx_buffer->tail = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer->tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+    unsigned char c = _rx_buffer[_rx_buffer_tail];
+    _rx_buffer_tail = (unsigned int)(_rx_buffer_tail + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
     return c;
   }
 }
@@ -459,16 +420,16 @@ void HardwareSerial::flush()
 
 size_t HardwareSerial::write(uint8_t c)
 {
-  int i = (_tx_buffer->head + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
+  int i = (_tx_buffer_head + 1) % SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	
   // If the output buffer is full, there's nothing for it other than to 
   // wait for the interrupt handler to empty it a bit
   // ???: return 0 here instead?
-  while (i == _tx_buffer->tail)
+  while (i == _tx_buffer_tail)
     ;
 	
-  _tx_buffer->buffer[_tx_buffer->head] = c;
-  _tx_buffer->head = i;
+  _tx_buffer[_tx_buffer_head] = c;
+  _tx_buffer_head = i;
 	
   sbi(*_ucsrb, _udrie);
   // clear the TXC bit -- "can be cleared by writing a one to its bit location"
@@ -485,9 +446,9 @@ HardwareSerial::operator bool() {
 // Preinstantiate Objects //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 #if defined(UBRRH) && defined(UBRRL)
-  HardwareSerial Serial(&rx_buffer, &tx_buffer, &UBRRH, &UBRRL, &UCSRA, &UCSRB, &UCSRC, &UDR, RXEN, TXEN, RXCIE, UDRIE, U2X);
+  HardwareSerial Serial(&UBRRH, &UBRRL, &UCSRA, &UCSRB, &UCSRC, &UDR, RXEN, TXEN, RXCIE, UDRIE, U2X);
 #elif defined(UBRR0H) && defined(UBRR0L)
-  HardwareSerial Serial(&rx_buffer, &tx_buffer, &UBRR0H, &UBRR0L, &UCSR0A, &UCSR0B, &UCSR0C, &UDR0, RXEN0, TXEN0, RXCIE0, UDRIE0, U2X0);
+  HardwareSerial Serial(&UBRR0H, &UBRR0L, &UCSR0A, &UCSR0B, &UCSR0C, &UDR0, RXEN0, TXEN0, RXCIE0, UDRIE0, U2X0);
 #elif defined(USBCON)
   // do nothing - Serial object and buffers are initialized in CDC code
 #else
@@ -495,13 +456,13 @@ HardwareSerial::operator bool() {
 #endif
 
 #if defined(UBRR1H)
-  HardwareSerial Serial1(&rx_buffer1, &tx_buffer1, &UBRR1H, &UBRR1L, &UCSR1A, &UCSR1B, &UCSR1C, &UDR1, RXEN1, TXEN1, RXCIE1, UDRIE1, U2X1);
+  HardwareSerial Serial1(&UBRR1H, &UBRR1L, &UCSR1A, &UCSR1B, &UCSR1C, &UDR1, RXEN1, TXEN1, RXCIE1, UDRIE1, U2X1);
 #endif
 #if defined(UBRR2H)
-  HardwareSerial Serial2(&rx_buffer2, &tx_buffer2, &UBRR2H, &UBRR2L, &UCSR2A, &UCSR2B, &UCSR2C, &UDR2, RXEN2, TXEN2, RXCIE2, UDRIE2, U2X2);
+  HardwareSerial Serial2(&UBRR2H, &UBRR2L, &UCSR2A, &UCSR2B, &UCSR2C, &UDR2, RXEN2, TXEN2, RXCIE2, UDRIE2, U2X2);
 #endif
 #if defined(UBRR3H)
-  HardwareSerial Serial3(&rx_buffer3, &tx_buffer3, &UBRR3H, &UBRR3L, &UCSR3A, &UCSR3B, &UCSR3C, &UDR3, RXEN3, TXEN3, RXCIE3, UDRIE3, U2X3);
+  HardwareSerial Serial3(&UBRR3H, &UBRR3L, &UCSR3A, &UCSR3B, &UCSR3C, &UDR3, RXEN3, TXEN3, RXCIE3, UDRIE3, U2X3);
 #endif
 
 #endif // whole file
diff --git a/cores/robot/HardwareSerial.h b/cores/robot/HardwareSerial.h
index a73117f..0f62262 100644
--- a/cores/robot/HardwareSerial.h
+++ b/cores/robot/HardwareSerial.h
@@ -27,13 +27,19 @@
 
 #include "Stream.h"
 
-struct ring_buffer;
+// Define constants and variables for buffering incoming serial data.  We're
+// using a ring buffer (I think), in which head is the index of the location
+// to which to write the next incoming character and tail is the index of the
+// location from which to read.
+#if (RAMEND < 1000)
+  #define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 16
+#else
+  #define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 64
+#endif
 
 class HardwareSerial : public Stream
 {
-  private:
-    ring_buffer *_rx_buffer;
-    ring_buffer *_tx_buffer;
+  protected:
     volatile uint8_t *_ubrrh;
     volatile uint8_t *_ubrrl;
     volatile uint8_t *_ucsra;
@@ -46,8 +52,20 @@ class HardwareSerial : public Stream
     uint8_t _udrie;
     uint8_t _u2x;
     bool transmitting;
+
   public:
-    HardwareSerial(ring_buffer *rx_buffer, ring_buffer *tx_buffer,
+    volatile uint8_t _rx_buffer_head;
+    volatile uint8_t _rx_buffer_tail;
+    volatile uint8_t _tx_buffer_head;
+    volatile uint8_t _tx_buffer_tail;
+
+    // Don't put any members after these buffers, since only the first
+    // 32 bytes of this struct can be accessed quickly using the ldd
+    // instruction.
+    unsigned char _rx_buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
+    unsigned char _tx_buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
+
+    HardwareSerial(
       volatile uint8_t *ubrrh, volatile uint8_t *ubrrl,
       volatile uint8_t *ucsra, volatile uint8_t *ucsrb,
       volatile uint8_t *ucsrc, volatile uint8_t *udr,
diff --git a/cores/robot/USBAPI.h b/cores/robot/USBAPI.h
index eb2e593..cabecf3 100644
--- a/cores/robot/USBAPI.h
+++ b/cores/robot/USBAPI.h
@@ -25,10 +25,16 @@ extern USBDevice_ USBDevice;
 //================================================================================
 //	Serial over CDC (Serial1 is the physical port)
 
+struct ring_buffer;
+
+#if (RAMEND < 1000)
+#define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 16
+#else
+#define SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE 64
+#endif
+
 class Serial_ : public Stream
 {
-private:
-	ring_buffer *_cdc_rx_buffer;
 public:
 	void begin(uint16_t baud_count);
 	void end(void);
@@ -41,6 +47,10 @@ public:
 	virtual size_t write(uint8_t);
 	using Print::write; // pull in write(str) and write(buf, size) from Print
 	operator bool();
+
+	volatile uint8_t _rx_buffer_head;
+	volatile uint8_t _rx_buffer_tail;
+	unsigned char _rx_buffer[SERIAL_BUFFER_SIZE];
 };
 extern Serial_ Serial;
 
@@ -193,4 +203,4 @@ void USB_Flush(uint8_t ep);
 
 #endif
 
-#endif /* if defined(USBCON) */
\ No newline at end of file
+#endif /* if defined(USBCON) */
diff --git a/cores/robot/USBCore.cpp b/cores/robot/USBCore.cpp
index d3e0170..c46c75f 100644
--- a/cores/robot/USBCore.cpp
+++ b/cores/robot/USBCore.cpp
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ volatile u8 RxLEDPulse; /**< Milliseconds remaining for data Rx LED pulse */
 //==================================================================
 
 extern const u16 STRING_LANGUAGE[] PROGMEM;
-extern const u16 STRING_IPRODUCT[] PROGMEM;
-extern const u16 STRING_IMANUFACTURER[] PROGMEM;
+extern const u8 STRING_PRODUCT[] PROGMEM;
+extern const u8 STRING_MANUFACTURER[] PROGMEM;
 extern const DeviceDescriptor USB_DeviceDescriptor PROGMEM;
 extern const DeviceDescriptor USB_DeviceDescriptorA PROGMEM;
 
@@ -49,31 +49,24 @@ const u16 STRING_LANGUAGE[2] = {
 	0x0409	// English
 };
 
-const u16 STRING_IPRODUCT[17] = {
-	(3<<8) | (2+2*16),
-#if USB_PID == 0x8036	
-	'A','r','d','u','i','n','o',' ','L','e','o','n','a','r','d','o'
-#elif USB_PID == 0x8037
-	'A','r','d','u','i','n','o',' ','M','i','c','r','o',' ',' ',' '
-#elif USB_PID == 0x803C
-	'A','r','d','u','i','n','o',' ','E','s','p','l','o','r','a',' '
-#elif USB_PID == 0x9208
-	'L','i','l','y','P','a','d','U','S','B',' ',' ',' ',' ',' ',' '
-#else
-	'U','S','B',' ','I','O',' ','B','o','a','r','d',' ',' ',' ',' '
+#ifndef USB_PRODUCT
+// If no product is provided, use USB IO Board
+#define USB_PRODUCT     "USB IO Board"
 #endif
-};
 
-const u16 STRING_IMANUFACTURER[12] = {
-	(3<<8) | (2+2*11),
+const u8 STRING_PRODUCT[] PROGMEM = USB_PRODUCT;
+
 #if USB_VID == 0x2341
-	'A','r','d','u','i','n','o',' ','L','L','C'
+#define USB_MANUFACTURER "Arduino LLC"
 #elif USB_VID == 0x1b4f
-	'S','p','a','r','k','F','u','n',' ',' ',' '
-#else
-	'U','n','k','n','o','w','n',' ',' ',' ',' '
+#define USB_MANUFACTURER "SparkFun"
+#elif !defined(USB_MANUFACTURER)
+// Fall through to unknown if no manufacturer name was provided in a macro
+#define USB_MANUFACTURER "Unknown"
 #endif
-};
+
+const u8 STRING_MANUFACTURER[] PROGMEM = USB_MANUFACTURER;
+
 
 #ifdef CDC_ENABLED
 #define DEVICE_CLASS 0x02
@@ -416,6 +409,22 @@ int USB_SendControl(u8 flags, const void* d, int len)
 	return sent;
 }
 
+// Send a USB descriptor string. The string is stored in PROGMEM as a
+// plain ASCII string but is sent out as UTF-16 with the correct 2-byte
+// prefix
+static bool USB_SendStringDescriptor(const u8*string_P, u8 string_len) {
+        SendControl(2 + string_len * 2);
+        SendControl(3);
+        for(u8 i = 0; i < string_len; i++) {
+                bool r = SendControl(pgm_read_byte(&string_P[i]));
+                r &= SendControl(0); // high byte
+                if(!r) {
+                        return false;
+                }
+        }
+        return true;
+}
+
 //	Does not timeout or cross fifo boundaries
 //	Will only work for transfers <= 64 bytes
 //	TODO
@@ -476,7 +485,6 @@ bool SendDescriptor(Setup& setup)
 		return HID_GetDescriptor(t);
 #endif
 
-	u8 desc_length = 0;
 	const u8* desc_addr = 0;
 	if (USB_DEVICE_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE == t)
 	{
@@ -486,20 +494,22 @@ bool SendDescriptor(Setup& setup)
 	}
 	else if (USB_STRING_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE == t)
 	{
-		if (setup.wValueL == 0)
+		if (setup.wValueL == 0) {
 			desc_addr = (const u8*)&STRING_LANGUAGE;
-		else if (setup.wValueL == IPRODUCT) 
-			desc_addr = (const u8*)&STRING_IPRODUCT;
-		else if (setup.wValueL == IMANUFACTURER)
-			desc_addr = (const u8*)&STRING_IMANUFACTURER;
+		}
+		else if (setup.wValueL == IPRODUCT) {
+			return USB_SendStringDescriptor(STRING_PRODUCT, strlen(USB_PRODUCT));
+		}
+		else if (setup.wValueL == IMANUFACTURER) {
+			return USB_SendStringDescriptor(STRING_MANUFACTURER, strlen(USB_MANUFACTURER));
+		}
 		else
 			return false;
 	}
 
 	if (desc_addr == 0)
 		return false;
-	if (desc_length == 0)
-		desc_length = pgm_read_byte(desc_addr);
+	u8 desc_length = pgm_read_byte(desc_addr);
 
 	USB_SendControl(TRANSFER_PGM,desc_addr,desc_length);
 	return true;
diff --git a/platform.txt b/platform.txt
index eaf9469..6bf3cdb 100644
--- a/platform.txt
+++ b/platform.txt
@@ -86,3 +86,9 @@ tools.avrdude.bootloader.params.verbose=-v -v -v -v
 tools.avrdude.bootloader.params.quiet=-q -q
 tools.avrdude.bootloader.pattern="{cmd.path}" "-C{config.path}" {bootloader.verbose} -p{build.mcu} -c{protocol} {program.extra_params} "-Uflash:w:{runtime.ide.path}/hardware/arduino/avr/bootloaders/{bootloader.file}:i" -Ulock:w:{bootloader.lock_bits}:m
 
+
+# USB Default Flags
+# Default blank usb manufacturer will be filled it at compile time
+# - from numeric vendor ID, set to Unknown otherwise
+build.usb_manufacturer=
+build.usb_flags=-DUSB_VID={build.vid} -DUSB_PID={build.pid} -DUSB_MANUFACTURER={build.usb_manufacturer} '-DUSB_PRODUCT={build.usb_product}'