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The simple solution that launched a thousand designs! |
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 |
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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. |
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Device |
LC231X |
Description |
USB to full UART Bridge |
IC Used |
FT231X |
Exposed Signals |
RXD, TXD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD |
IO Levles |
3.3V/5V |
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Device |
LC234X |
Description |
USB to basic UART Bridge |
IC Used |
FT234XD |
Exposed Signals |
RXD, TXD, RTS, CTS, |
IO Levles |
3.3V/5V |
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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 |
Delivering the best in USB to UART, FIFO and I2C interfacing, the FT-X series will be extending soon. Sign up to our newsletter here to be the first to find out more! |
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