FT232R USB to serial UART

The FT232R is the latest device to be added to FTDI’s range of USB UART interface Integrated Circuit Devices. The FT232R is a USB to serial UART interface with optional clock generator output, and the new FTDIChip-ID™ security dongle feature. In addition, asynchronous and synchronous bit bang interface modes are available. USB to serial designs using the FT232R have been further simplified by fully integrating the external EEPROM, clock circuit and USB resistors onto the device.

The FT232R adds two new functions compared with its predecessors (FT8U232A/FT232BM), effectively making it a "3-in-1" chip for some application areas. The internally generated clock (6MHz, 12MHz, 24MHz, and 48MHz) can be brought out of the device and used to drive a microcontroller or external logic. A unique number (the FTDIChip-ID™) is burnt into the device during manufacture and is readable over USB, thus forming the basis of a security dongle which can be used to protect customer application software from being copied.

The FT232R is available in two different Pb-free (RoHS compliant) packages - the FT232RL comes in a compact 28-Lead SSOP package and the FT232RQ comes in a ultra-compact 5x5mm QFN-32 package.

Specifications		Applications
Single-chip USB to asynchronous serial data Full handshaking & modem interface signals 300 Baud => 3M Baud (TTL) 300 Baud => 1M Baud (RS232) 300 Baud => 3M Baud (RS422/RS485) 384 Byte Rx buffer/128 Byte Tx buffer Adjustable Rx buffer timeout Hardware or X-On/X-Off handshaking Auto transmit buffer control for RS485 USB suspend/resume via SLEEP#,RI# pins Support for High Power mode via PWREN# Bit-Bang Mode creates in-built IO port Interfaces to 5V and 3.3V logic Integrated 3.3V regulator for USB IO Integrated Power-On-Reset circuit USB Bulk transfer mode 4.35V to 5.25V single supply operation USB 1.1 compliant, USB 2.0 compatible 28 Pin SSOP (FT232RL) or 32 pin QFP (FT232RQ) Range of Evaluation modules		ANY existing RS232/422/485 equipment Audio products Handheld & scientific equipment External cable adaptors Data loggers Vehicle diagnostic EQUIPMENT Security & Fire Panels Point of Sale terminals Speed Camera Detectors

Resources and Documentation

FT232R Datasheet Full datasheet for the FTDI FT232R chip, with schematic suggestions, pin-outs, footprint and power options. Hosted by FTDI   Revision: V2 Jul 2008 41 pages - 785KB Apps Note AN232B-03 - Optimising throughput with D2XX drivers Using the FTDI devices for best throughput effeciency (streaming vs small payload). Relevant to FT232R, FT245R, FT2232C, FT2232D, FT2232L, FT232BM, FT232BL, FT232BQ, FT245BM, FT245BL, FT245BQ, FT8U232AM and FT8U245AM devices. Hosted by FTDI   Revision: V1.1 Jan 2006 10 pages - 35KB Apps Note AN232B-04 - Data Throughput, Latency & Handshaking Describes the need for handshaking and buffer control in general. Relevant for FT232R, FT245R, FT2232C, FT2232D, FT2232L, FT232BM, FT232BL, FT232BQ, FT245BM, FT245BL, FT245BQ, FT8U232AM and FT8U245AM devices. Hosted by FTDI   Revision: V1.1 Jan 2006 18 pages - 184KB Apps Note AN232B-05 - setting UART baud rates How to fix baud rates and aloocate non standard rates for the UART devices. Relevant to FT232R, FT2232C, FT2232D, FT2232L, FT232BM, FT232BL and FT232BQ devices. Hosted by FTDI   Revision: V1.1 Jan 2006 14 pages - 165KB Apps Note AN232B-07 - Configuring FTDI's VCP Drivers Help with Configuring FTDI's VCP Drivers to use Location IDs. Relevant for FT232R, FT245R, FT2232C, FT2232D, FT2232L, FT232BM, FT232BL, FT232BQ, FT245BM, FT245BL, FT245BQ, FT8U232AM, FT8U245AM and FT8U245AM devices. Hosted by FTDI   Revision: V1.2 Jan 2006 12 pages - 228KB Apps Note AN232B-08 - Enumerations options for Win98SE Removing enumeration delays with Win98SE. Relevant to FT232R, FT245R, FT2232C, FT2232D, FT2232L, FT232BM, FT232BL, FT232BQ, FT245BM, FT245BL, FT245BQ, FT8U232AM and FT8U245AM devices. Hosted by FTDI   Revision: V1.0 3 pages - 125KB Apps Note AN232B-09 - Using Modem Emulation Mode Help with using the Modem Emulation Mode in FTDI's (VCP) Driver. Relevant to FT232R, FT245R, FT232BM, FT232BL, FT232BQ, FT245BM, FT245BL, FT245BQ, FT8U232AM and FT8U245AM devices. Hosted by FTDI   Revision: V2 10 pages - 150KB Apps Note AN232B-10 - Advanced Driver options All you need to know about FTDI drivers (VCP & DLL) including remumber VCP's. Relevant to FT232R, FT245R, FT2232C, FT2232D, FT2232L,  FT232BM, FT232BL, FT232BQ, FT245BM, FT245BL, FT245BQ, FT8U232AM and FT8U245AM devices. Hosted by FTDI   Revision: V2.1 Aug 2006 61 pages - 735KB FTDI VCP Drivers Latest version of Virtual COM Port drivers for Windows Win98SE, WinME, Win2K, WinXP, Linux, MacOS. Hosted by FTDI   Web Page FTDI D2XX Direct Drivers D2XX drivers allow direct access to the USB device through a DLL.  Application software can access the USB device through a series of DLL function calls. Click here to visit the FTDI website to download the latest version of DLL based drivers for Windows Win98SE, WinME, Win2K, WinXP, Linux. Hosted by FTDI   Web Page

Comprehensive Development Support

The Eval Kits represent the quickest way to get USB under your belt, with many allowing you to get up and running in less than 30 minutes. Volume pricing is available which is flexible enough to mean you could embed a module within your design for minimal time-to-market turnaround. Please speak to the Alpha Micro sales team for your area for volume pricing.

Custom PID service
For volume applications Alpha Micro can provide a Product Identifier (PID) under the FTDI "umbrella scheme" that can be used to personalise a design based on the FT232Rx so that your end user will see your product name in the Windows Install Wizard for extra brand awareness.

There is an added benefit that the driver is tagged to your hardware and cannot be used by other devices. This feature can only be used with FTDI chips, the Vendor ID (VID) must remain untouched. Please contact our sales team for more information on this facility.

Customers should use MPROG to program this feature and any other changes to the default settings within the EEPROM (which must be fitted if this feature is required). MPROG is free to use and performs the programming tasks over the USB.

Ordering Information

PART NUMBER	PACKAGE TYPE	PACK SIZE	RoHS
FT232RL	28 SSOP	47 per tube
FT232RQ	32 QFN	490 per tray
FT232RQ/TR	32 QFN	6000 per reel

Can't quite find what you are looking for?
Why not contact the Alpha Micro Sales Team for your area or visit the product page at www.ftdichip.com

Last Updated: 30/10/2006 14:26:58