TTL-232RG family of USB to TTL serial UART converter cables offering new versions to support an extended variety of voltage I/O levels. The cables feature a USB to serial converter PCB encapsulated within a standard type ‘A’ USB connector with a wire-ended asynchronous UART output. The cables are aimed at providing USB connectivity within applications with serial UART ports. The cables provide a fast and simple method for enabling USB connectivity in such applications, with minimal changes to existing user software.

A range of cables are available to for a variety of voltage I/O levels including +1.8V, +3.3V, +5.0V or at user specified levels, to provide UART interfacing to devices such as MCUs, CPUs or FPGAs at a range of voltage levels. The cables derive power from the USB interface and have integrated voltage regulators removing the need for designers to provide external power or have voltage level shifters on their boards. Further, the cables can be used to provide an optional power output ranging between +1.8 V and +5.0 V for powering external circuitry.

The TTL-232RG cables feature the FTDI FT232R USB 2.0 to UART converter IC with associated circuitry integrated within the cable USB connector. The FT232R manages the complete USB protocol within the device – meaning that no user knowledge of USB is required. The UART interface supports data transfers at up to 3 Mbps. Using the FTDI’s Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers, users can easily access the UART interface as a (virtual) COM port with existing software applications, removing the need for any redesign. The FTDI D2XX drivers are also available to support application development using high-level software languages. FTDI’s royalty free drivers include Microsoft WHQL certified drivers for Window based operating systems, as well as drivers for Linux and Mac OS operating systems. All drivers are freely available for download from http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm.

• TTL-232RG-VSW3V3-WE: USB cable with wire-ended UART connections at +3.3V voltage levels and +3.3V / 50mA rated power output. Available now. Pricing $21.07 for single quantity.
• TTL-232RG-VREG3V3-WE: USB cable with wire-ended UART connections at +3.3V voltage levels and +3.3V / 250mA rated power output. Available now. Pricing $24.64 for single quantity.
• TTL-232RG-VREG1V8-WE: USB cable with wire-ended UART connections at +1.8V voltage levels and +1.8V / 100mA rated power output. Available now. Pricing $24.64 for single quantity.
• TTL-232RG-VSW5V-WE: USB cable with wire-ended UART connections at +5V voltage levels and +5V / 450mA rated power output. Quantities available in August.
• TTL-232RG-VIP-WE: USB cable with wire-ended UART output connections at user supplied voltage levels. Available now. Pricing $19.45 for single quantity.

  Further information on the various cables is available on http://www.ftdichip.com.