X-Chip-Reloaded
FT-X from FTDI Chip
X-Chip-Reloaded
It may seem straightforward to update a programmable device such as an Arduino board or FPGA over a serial port, but access to that serial port from a PC is increasingly reliant upon small, cheap USB to UART converters, such as those provided in the FT-X series of USB bridging devices from FTDI Chip.
Device FT200XD FT201X FT220X FT221X FT230X FT231X FT234XD FT240X
Description USB to I2C slave interface USB to I2C slave interface USB to 4-Bit SPI / FT1248 interface USB to 4-Bit SPI / FT1248 interface USB to basic UART USB to full handshake UART USB to basic UART USB to parallel FIFO interface
Data Rates 3.4Mbit/s 3.4Mbit/s 500kbyte/s 1MByte/s 3MBaud 3MBaud 3MBaud 1MByte/s
CBUS Pins 1 6 1 1 4 4 1 2
Packages 10-Pin DFN 16-pin QFN 16-pin SSOP 16-pin QFN 16-pin SSOP 20-pin QFN 20-pin SSOP 16-pin QFN 16-pin SSOP 20-pin QFN 20-pin SSOP 12-pin DFN 20-pin QFN 20-pin SSOP
All devices are USB 2.0 full speed compliant and benefit from 512 bytes internal data buffers (RX/TX), 1.8V-3.3V IO, and a typical 8mA operational power consumption
Recognising that not all designs require an onboard bridge, but instead make use of a simple re-usable accessory to access the board for development or upgrade purposes, FTDI Chip have launched a new cost effective suite of modules and cables to create the simple USB to UART interconnect for design development.
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MODULES
Both modules are supplied with headers which may be soldered to access the signals and then used in a solderless breadboard.
Whilst the basic TXD, RXD is often all that is required for firmware upgrades, the hardware flow control can ensure no data loss, whilst, the additional signals of the LC231X such as DTR are often used to switch programmable devices between user mode and debug mode.
LC231X Pinout
Device LC231X
Description USB to full UART Bridge
Output Voltage Levels are jumper selectable between 3.3V and 5V rail to rail
IC Used FT231X
Exposed Signals RXD, TXD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD
IO Levles 3.3V/5V
LC234X Pinout
Device LC234X
Description USB to basic UART Bridge
Output Voltage Levels are jumper selectable between 3.3V and 5V rail to rail
IC Used FT234XD
Exposed Signals RXD, TXD, RTS, CTS,
IO Levles 3.3V/5V
Both modules are capable of supplying 3V3 or 5V power to the target board and have onboard LED indication for data flow.
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CABLES
Finally the new cables launched as part of the FT-X series reloaded program are based on the FT234XD, offering a basic UART interface and includes 7 variants with a variety of terminations.
TTL-234X-5V 1.8m cable, +5V TTL level UART signals. 6 pin SIL, 0.1” pitch 6 core, UL2464 24 AWG, diam=5mm
TTL-234X-3V3 1.8m cable, +3.3V TTL level UART signals. 6 pin SIL, 0.1” pitch 6 core, UL2464 24 AWG, diam=5mm
TTL-234X-5V-WE 1.8m cable, +5V TTL level UART signals. Wire Ended (no connector) 6 core, UL2464 24 AWG, diam=5mm
TTL-234X-3V3-WE 1.8m cable, +3.3V TTL level UART signals. Wire Ended (no connector) 6 core, UL2464 24 AWG, diam=5mm
TTL-234X-5V-AJ 1.8m cable, +5V TTL level UART signals. 3.5mm Audio Jack 2 core and spiral, 24 AWG, diam=5mm
TTL-234X-3V3-AJ 1.8m cable, +3.3V TTL level UART signals. 3.5mm Audio Jack 2 core and spiral, 24 AWG, diam=5mm
TTL-234X-3V3-2mm 1.8m cable, +3.3V TTL level UART signals. 8 way, keyed, 2mm connector 7 core, UL2464 26 AWG, diam=5mm
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DRIVERS
Also included as part of the solution with these USB bridges is the most comprehensive range of OS driver support including Windows, Linux, MAC OSX, WinCE and Android. A virtual COM Port (VCP) interface allows for simple serial port programming compatible with legacy COM port applications.
For more information and details of where to buy these great USB products visit www.ftdichip.com/FT-X.html
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