Copyright © 2011 Future Technology Devices International Limited 1
Document Reference No.: FT_000079
USB TO RS232 UART SERIAL CONVERTER PCB Datasheet Version 1.41
Clearance No.: FTDI# 52
1 Description
The USB-RS232-PCB is a USB to RS232 level serial UART converter PCB incorporating FTDI’s FT232RQ
USB to Serial UART interface IC device which handles all the USB signalling and protocols. The PCB
provides a fast, simple way to connect devices with a RS232 level serial interface to USB.
Each USB-RS232-PCB contains a small internal electronic circuit board, utilising the FT232R plus a USB
type-A connector. The FT232R datasheet, DS_FT232R, is available at http://www.ftdichip.com. The
integrated electronics also include an RS232 level shifter plus Tx and Rx LEDs which give a visual
indication of UART traffic. All components used, including the FT232R are Pb-free (RoHS compliant).
The PCB is USB powered and USB 2.0 full speed compatible. Each PCB supports a data transfer rate up to
1 Mbaud and supports the FTDIChip-ID™, with a unique USB serial number programmed into the
FT232R. This feature can be used to create a security or password protected file transfer access using the
PCB. Further information and examples on this feature are available at http://www.ftdichip.com under
FTDIChip-ID Projects.
The USB-RS232-PCB requires USB drivers, available free from http://www.ftdichip.com, which are
used to make the FT232R on the PCB appear as a virtual COM port (VCP). This then allows the user to
communicate with the USB interface via a standard PC serial emulation port (for example TTY). Another
FTDI USB driver, the D2XX driver, can also be used with application software to directly access the
FT232R on the PCB though a DLL. This is illustrated in the Figure 1.1.
VCP
TTY
USB
USB-RS232-PCB
Virtual COM Port
Software application access to USB via D2XX
USB
TTY
D2XX
DLL
RS232 UART
SIGNALS
USB-RS232-PCB
RS232 UART
SIGNALS
Figure 1.1 Using the USB-RS232-PCB
1.1 Part Number
The following Table 1.1 gives details of the available USB-RS232-PCB.
USB to RS232 level UART PCB
Table 1.1 USB-RS232-PCB Part Number
