USB-UART bridge takes more onboard

The FT232R next-generation USB-UART bridge includes onboard EEPROM, master clock generator, 3.3V LDO regulator, reset generator and USB termination resistors.

Future Technology Devices International (FTDI) has unveiled the FT232R - the next generation of its popular USB-UART bridge family.

This highly integrated device includes onboard EEPROM, master clock generator, 3.3V LDO regulator, reset generator and USB termination resistors.

Only two external decoupling capacitors are required for a minimal configuration.

In addition to the full set of modem control signals, the device features five I/O pins which can be configured in EEPROM to have several functions including providing a output clock which can be used to drive an external MCU or FPGA.

Each device has a unique number (the FTDIChip-ID) burnt into it at manufacturing time which cannot be altered by the end user.

Though an encryption scheme, this feature can be used by product designers to protect their application software from being copied.

FT232R features a wide range of royalty-free FTDI developed drivers for 32 and 64bit operating systems including Windows, CE, Linux and MAC-OS.

The FT232R comes in both standard SSOP-28 and miniature QFN-32 5 x 5mm package options and is competitively priced at US $1.80 in 10,000-unit quantities.

A version of the device with a parallel FIFO interface (the FT245R) is also available.

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