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HOME / PRODUCT CATEGORIES / SERIAL/UART / SPARKFUN USB TO SERIAL BREAKOUT - FT232RL
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SparkFun USB to Serial Breakout - FT232RL
BOB-12731 ROHS
17
DESCRIPTION FEATURES DOCUMENTS
This is the SparkFun USB to Serial Breakout for the FT232RL, a small board
with a built in USB to serial UART interface. This little breakout is built around
the FT232RL IC from FTDI, with an internal oscillator, EEPROM, and a 28-pin
SSOP package this is a serious little chip.
With this version, we’ve corrected a few issues found with the board. These
changes include fixes to the VCCIO, a change from the mini USB to micro USB
connector, and a few footprint modifications. Other than finding this board much
easier to use, it is still the same FT232RL breakout that you know and love!
SparkFun USB to Serial Breakout - FT232RL Product Help and Resources
SKILLS NEEDED
Core Skill: Soldering
This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.
Skill Level: Noob - Some basic soldering is required, but it is limited to a just a few pins, basic through-hole soldering, and couple (if
any) polarized components. A basic soldering iron is all you should need.
See all skill levels
1
Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and
know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in
addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels
2
COMMENTS 18 REVIEWS 17
4.5 out of 5
Based on 17 ratings:
1 of 1 found this helpful:
Very useful board.
about a year ago by Member #873747 verified purchaser
I use this board to interface with PSoC, Beaglebone, and other devices. It is easy to use and flexible.
2 of 2 found this helpful:
Good, but no 1.8v
about 2 years ago by Member #639147 verified purchaser
Works well, but doesn’t seem to support 1.8v even though the IC is capable of it:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/ICs/FT232R.htm
2 of 2 found this helpful:
Great solution for chip comm
about 3 years ago by Member #389923 verified purchaser
I have this board connected directly to an ATMEGA32 chip for debug. It works great, simple to hook up. Uses
universal FTDI drivers.
3 of 3 found this helpful:
Works great, could use one feature.....
about a year ago by Member #831721 verified purchaser
The board worked perfectly as designed but I had to do one hack first. The I/O voltage is only selectable
between 3.3 and 5V while my processor runs at 2.5V. I had to remove the switch and add a provision for an
external I/O voltage input. Adding a pad and some sort of jumper, etc. for this would be helpful. Thanks at least
for providing the schematic, it made the mod very easy to do.
1 of 1 found this helpful:
Bits go in, bits come out.
about a year ago by Member #123218 verified purchaser
There are much cheaper bridges available in bulk from Alibaba and Ebay, but usually they’re based on the
SiLabs CP2102.
Pros: Dual mode drivers - You can use as VCP or direct mode. Great DLL documentation and source code
examples for many platforms. DLLs to go with that great DLL documentation. Respectable support department
has been responsive even to my hobby user questions. One set of drivers works with serial, JTAG, FIFO, other
variants of the FTDI chips.
Cons: It’s a wee big for hobby projects where space is tight. There are some Silabs boards that are ½ or 1/3
the size. This board is pretty easy to cut down without worrying about damaging anything though. Price - You
can get equivalent function for serial only for or so elsewhere, but you may have the occasional defective card.
Bottom line: FTDI chips are well supported and documented. You get piece of mind that your project will just
work - the first time, every time.
1 of 1 found this helpful:
A need to have for any electronic engineer
about a year ago by Thc verified purchaser
It is simple and it can still do all you need it to, best thing is it just work. I use it both in teaching my electronic
class and development of satellite instrument. At DTU Space Denmark Best Regards Thorbjørn H. Christensen
works as it should
about 11 months ago by Jimmy Nuetron verified purchaser
nice little pcb works as it should
Truly useful little board
about 10 months ago by Member #708122 verified purchaser
Very useful for adding a serial port to devices/systems that do not have one, or if you ran out.
Works as advertised and very easy to implement quickly for all sorts of applications.
Make sure you are using the correct FTDI drivers, the default Microsoft drivers will not work and drive you
crazy.
5+ stars…
Works great but...
about 6 months ago by Scottro verified purchaser
This product works great but the USB connector has come off of the board on dozens of these boards. I
believe that the connectors have weak solder joints. So I reflow the solder joints on these connectors and I
haven’t had any problems since.
Great job, even it's a pity the lack of 1.8 volts.
about 2 months ago by Member #1239677 verified purchaser
Good item at a reasonable price. The bad side regards shipping and custom fees for all those living outside
US. In total i spent three times the original cost. May you, Sparkfun guys, activate other more convenient
channels for those living in Europe and in Italy as I am? Just now, on Amazon, I found some, but not all, your
products. If I could buy them with cheaper additional costs, you would be perfect! Best regards Alessandro
FT232RL Breakout Board is a good one!
about 3 years ago by Member #633342 verified purchaser
This little breakout board came with everything needed to assemble in various configurations to fit your need.
The board worked exactly as advertised, and was a snap to set up after assembly. Love the documentation
provided at Sparkfun–best in class.
Listening in on another RX/TX
about 2 months ago by Member #12274 verified purchaser
I got two of these so I could tap into the RX/TX of another board to help debug the software there. They worked
great!
0 of 3 found this helpful:
USB cable
about 3 years ago by Member #490794 verified purchaser
Beware this does not use a standard USB mini cable. I needed to steal my wifes phone cable to fit.
Board okay but data sheet not...
about 3 years ago by Member #645001 verified purchaser
Board itself works okay but as this is first time I am using this board I had problem finding the correct pin
connections to the other board (BT module) I am using in my project. The data sheet available in your page
shows all but the simple connection diagram for 2x9 pins + additional 4 pins.
Single T replied on March 18, 2015:
I’m sorry that it wasn’t easier to find the information you were looking for. We try to cover as much as we
can in our docs, but we can’t always get everything. Happy hacking.
Excellent tool!
about 3 years ago by Member #668078 verified purchaser
Everyone who works with microcontrollers and sensors should have at least one of these in their toolbox. It
took me 5 minutes to connect this to a sensor and I was up and running.
Great breakout board
about 2 years ago by Member #224170 verified purchaser
Easy to implement. Works great for interfacing UART and USB.
The board works as promised .
about 2 years ago by Member #715028 verified purchaser
Recommended for others
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