Enhance your connectivity with our 6ft USB to RS232 Wire End FTDI USB TTL Serial Converter Cable. Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android & more for seamless data transfer. Order now!(Scroll down to view the user guide)
FTDI USB to RS232 Open Wire End TTL Serial Converter Cable - Your Ideal Serial Connectivity Solution
The FTDI USB to RS232 Open Wire End TTL Serial Converter Cable is a top-of-the-line product designed to bridge the gap between legacy DB-9 serial devices and modern computers equipped with USB ports. It offers a seamless and reliable connection, making it an essential tool for a wide range of applications where serial communication is required.
1. Cable Specifications
- Length and Flexibility: With a generous cable length of 6 feet (equivalent to 1.8 meters), this industrial-grade cable provides ample reach, allowing for convenient connections even when the serial device and the computer are not in close proximity. The flexibility of the cable ensures ease of use in various setup scenarios.
- Cable Type and Connector: Classified as a USB to RS232 Converter Cable, it features a USB2.0 AM (Type-A Male) connector on one end, which can be effortlessly plugged into any standard USB port on a computer. The other end consists of 6C open wires, enabling users to redefine the connector type according to specific needs, thereby offering enhanced versatility for connecting to different serial ports.
2. Chipset Technology
- FTDI FT232RQ Chipset: At the heart of this cable lies the highly reliable FTDI FT232RQ chipset. This industry-standard chipset is renowned for its excellent performance and compatibility. It supports both 3.3V and 5V, providing flexibility in power requirements depending on the connected devices. The use of this chipset ensures maximum compatibility with a wide variety of systems and devices, making it suitable for diverse industrial applications.
3. Visual Indication and Data Signals
- Integrated LEDs: The transparent USB connector incorporates TXD (Transmit Data) and RXD (Receive Data) LEDs. These LEDs offer a visual indication of data traffic, allowing users to quickly assess whether data is being transmitted or received, which is particularly useful for troubleshooting and monitoring the communication status.
- RS-232 Level UART Data Signals: The cable supports standard RS-232 level UART data signals, with clearly defined wire colors for easy identification. The signals include RXD (Yellow), TXD (Orange), GND (Black), RTS (Green), CTS (Brown), and +5V (Red). This standardized configuration simplifies the connection process and ensures accurate data transmission.
4. Compatibility and Handshaking
- Compatible Systems: Demonstrating outstanding compatibility, this cable works seamlessly with a plethora of operating systems, such as Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac OS (all versions), Linux, and Android, as well as Vista. Whether you're using a Windows-based PC in an office environment, a Mac for creative work, or a Linux system for specific technical tasks, this cable has you covered.
- Handshaking Options: It offers both fully assisted hardware (RTS#/CTS#) and X-On/X-Off software handshaking. This dual handshaking capability ensures reliable and efficient data flow control between the connected devices, minimizing data loss and errors during transmission.
5. Speed and Configuration Support
- Baud Rates and Data Bits: Supporting a wide range of standard Windows baud rates, from 300bps to 921.6Kbps, this cable can accommodate various data transfer requirements. Additionally, the UART interface provides support for different data bit configurations, including 7 or 8 data bits, along with options for 1 or 2 stop bits and odd/even/mark/space/no parity settings. This flexibility allows it to adapt to the specific communication needs of different serial devices.
6. Customization and Appearance
- Custom Versions: For those with specific requirements, custom versions of the cable are available upon request. This enables users to tailor the cable to their exact needs, whether it's in terms of cable length, connector types, or other specific features.
- Color Options: The cable comes in an elegant color combination of Black/Clear, adding a touch of professionalism to its appearance while also making it easy to identify in a setup with multiple cables.
Part Number and Identification
The cable is identified by the Part Number: USB-RS232-WE-1800-BT, which simplifies ordering and identification for both distributors and end-users.
Conclusion
In summary, the FTDI USB to RS232 Open Wire End TTL Serial Converter Cable is a feature-rich, highly reliable, and versatile product. Its combination of a quality chipset, visual indication features, broad compatibility, and flexible configuration options makes it the go-to choice for anyone looking to connect legacy DB-9 serial devices to modern USB-equipped computers. Whether in industrial settings, for hobbyist projects, or in professional IT environments, this cable ensures seamless and efficient serial communication.
Here are the steps on how to use the FTDI USB to RS232 Open Wire End TTL Serial Converter Cable:
Step 1: Check Compatibility
- Ensure that the legacy DB-9 serial device you want to connect has the appropriate serial communication settings that are compatible with RS-232 standards. For example, check the device's manual to confirm its supported baud rates, data bits, stop bits, and parity settings.
- Also, make sure your computer runs on one of the supported operating systems, such as Windows XP, Windows 7/8/10/11, Mac OS, Linux, Android, or Vista.
Step 2: Prepare the Cable and Devices
- Take out the FTDI USB to RS232 Open Wire End TTL Serial Converter Cable.
- Power off the DB-9 serial device to avoid any potential electrical issues during the connection process.
- Locate an available USB port on your computer.
Step 3: Connect the Cable
- Plug the USB2.0 AM (Type-A Male) end of the cable into the available USB port on your computer. Make sure it is inserted firmly and securely.
- For the open wire end of the cable with 6C wires, you'll need to connect it to the serial device based on the standard RS-232 level UART data signals. The wire colors and their corresponding functions are as follows:
- Connect the RXD (Yellow) wire to the Receive Data pin on the serial device's DB-9 connector.
- Connect the TXD (Orange) wire to the Transmit Data pin on the device.
- Connect the GND (Black) wire to the Ground pin on the device.
- Connect the RTS (Green) wire to the Request To Send pin on the device (if applicable and depending on the device's handshaking requirements).
- Connect the CTS (Brown) wire to the Clear To Send pin on the device (if applicable).
- Connect the +5V (Red) wire to the appropriate power pin on the device (if needed, as some devices may already have their own power source).
Step 4: Install Drivers (if necessary)
- For Windows:
- In most cases, when you connect the cable to the computer, Windows will attempt to automatically install the necessary drivers due to the FTDI chipset's compatibility. However, if the driver installation doesn't happen automatically, visit the FTDI official website.
- On the website, find the section for driver downloads and look for the specific drivers compatible with your Windows version. Download the appropriate driver package and run the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation process. You may need to restart your computer after installation.
- For Mac OS:
- Mac systems usually have built-in support for many common USB devices with FTDI chipsets. However, if the cable is not recognized or doesn't work properly, check for any available software updates for your Mac. You can also visit the FTDI website to see if there are any specific Mac-compatible drivers or additional software that might enhance compatibility.
- For Linux:
- Depending on your Linux distribution, the necessary drivers might already be included in the kernel. If the cable is not detected or doesn't function as expected, you can use the package manager of your distribution. For example, on Ubuntu, you can use the
apt-getcommand to search for and install relevant FTDI drivers. On other distributions like CentOS, you might useyumfor a similar purpose. Some distributions may require additional configuration steps, which you can find in the distribution's documentation or relevant online forums.
- Depending on your Linux distribution, the necessary drivers might already be included in the kernel. If the cable is not detected or doesn't function as expected, you can use the package manager of your distribution. For example, on Ubuntu, you can use the
- For Android:
- If you're using the cable with an Android device, make sure your Android version supports USB host mode (usually available on tablets and some smartphones). You may need to install an appropriate app that can handle serial communication and configure it to work with the cable. Some Android apps might require specific permissions to access the USB port and communicate with external devices.
Step 5: Configure the Serial Port Settings
- Open the Terminal Application:
- On Windows, you can use the Command Prompt or a terminal emulator like PuTTY. If using PuTTY, open the application and go to the "Session" category. Select "Serial" as the connection type.
- On Mac OS and Linux, use the built-in Terminal application.
- Set the Serial Port Parameters:
- Baud Rate: Refer to the manual of the DB-9 serial device to determine the correct baud rate it uses. Common baud rates range from 300bps to 921.6Kbps. Enter the appropriate value in the serial port settings. For example, if the device uses 9600 baud rate, set it accordingly.
- Data Bits: Set the number of data bits according to the device's requirements. Typically, it can be either 7 or 8 data bits.
- Stop Bits: Usually, you can choose between 1 or 2 stop bits. Again, refer to the device's manual for the correct setting.
- Parity: Select the appropriate parity option, which can be odd, even, mark, space, or no parity, depending on what the device supports.
- In PuTTY (for Windows), enter these values in the relevant fields under the "Serial" settings section. On Linux and Mac OS, you can use commands like
sttyto set these parameters. For example, if the cable is recognized as/dev/ttyUSB0on Linux, you can use the commandstty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 <baud_rate> cs<data_bits> -cstopb <parity_option>(replace<baud_rate>,<data_bits>, and<parity_option>with the actual values).
Step 6: Power on the Serial Device
- Once the cable is properly connected and the serial port settings are configured correctly, power on the DB-9 serial device.
- Wait for the device to initialize. You should start seeing some activity in the terminal application (if configured correctly) indicating that the connection is established and data can be transmitted or received.
Step 7: Test and Use the Connection
- In the terminal application, you can start sending commands or data to the serial device based on its functionality. For example, if it's a serial modem, you can send AT commands to configure it or check its status. If it's a barcode scanner, you can test if it can send scanned data to the computer.
- Monitor the TXD/RXD LEDs on the transparent USB connector of the cable. The LEDs will blink when data is being transmitted or received, helping you verify the communication process.
Step 8: Disconnecting
- When you're finished using the cable and the serial device, first close any applications that were using the serial connection.
- Power off the DB-9 serial device.
- Then, carefully disconnect the 6C open wire end of the cable from the serial device's DB-9 connector and unplug the USB2.0 AM end of the cable from your computer's USB port.
By following these steps, you can effectively use the FTDI USB to RS232 Open Wire End TTL Serial Converter Cable to connect and communicate with your legacy DB-9 serial devices.