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FT232RQ A USB To UART Serial Interfac

FT232RQ is an integrated circuit that acts as a bridge between USB and UART interfaces. It allows for serial data transmission between a USB port and devices with UART interfaces. As a controller, it establishes communication between differing protocols. FT232RQ supports high-speed data transfer of up to 12 Mbps through its receiver and transmitter buffers. It provides a low-cost and small-form-factor solution for USB to UART interfacing.

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33 views5 pages

FT232RQ A USB To UART Serial Interfac

FT232RQ is an integrated circuit that acts as a bridge between USB and UART interfaces. It allows for serial data transmission between a USB port and devices with UART interfaces. As a controller, it establishes communication between differing protocols. FT232RQ supports high-speed data transfer of up to 12 Mbps through its receiver and transmitter buffers. It provides a low-cost and small-form-factor solution for USB to UART interfacing.

Uploaded by

jack
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© © All Rights Reserved
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RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

FT232RQ: A USB to UART Serial Interface


Not all interfaces work solo or independently in an Integrated Circuit (IC). Some
would need additional connections in the form of a bridge to work. That aptly
describes, FT232RQ a bridge connecting the Universal Serial Bus (USB) to a UART.

In this article, you will discover some of the important facts about this Integrated
Circuit, cum controller.

FT232RQ as a Controller

FT232RQ is an interface classified under Integrated Circuits (ICs). Like most


interfaces, it relies on the interface components to establish a connection to the
various signals in a circuit board. Through these components, the interface can also
transmit or transfer data or bitstream effectively.

When it comes to picking an IC-interface, the options are narrowed down to the
closest functional parts. The varieties of interfaces include controllers (an example
being FT232RQ), serializers, decoders and encoders. Others are splitters, capacitive
touch, Universal Asynchronous Receivers and Transmitters (UARTs),
Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS), signal buffers and filters.

To that end, FT232RQ fits into the category by the design as a controller. But how
does a controller-based interface work?

It works by providing the “informatic connectivity” between the endpoints that


comprise differing signaling methods and communication protocols.

In addition to establishing the individualized communication endpoints for these


devices, the FT232RQ also supports multi-way connections.

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The Bridging Perspective

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When interfaces are referred to as “bridges,” it simply means that they are used as a
pathway for connecting one or more interfaces.

In FT232RQ’s instance, it doubles as a bridge and a USB to UART interface. This


function allows this controller to connect the Universal Serial Bus (USB) to a serial
UART interface.

At the core of this connection are the following benefits:

1. Integrated Clock Generation

In addition to supporting USB to UART interface connection, FT232RQ also supports


the minimization of friction during the connection.

As a way of preventing glue-less interfacing to the external Field Programmable Gate


Array (FPGA) and Microcontroller (MCU), it supports the full integration of the
clock generation. That way, there wouldn’t be any need for an external crystal nor an
optional clock output selector.

2. Chip-Based USB Protocol

Just like the clocking peripherals are not externally added, so does the USB protocol
for FT232RQ.

Since the entire USB protocol is embedded into a chip, there is no need for an
external USB-specific firmware programmer to be used alongside it.

3. Buffer Distribution

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Besides being an interface cum bridge for USB to UART interfacing, FT232RQ also
enables higher throughputs for the data transmitted through the interface.

The high data throughput is enabled via the FIFO’s reception and transmission of
buffers to attain the highest data distribution speed.

Also, it supports the use of a single-chip Universal Serial Bus (USB) to enable the
asynchronous serial data transfer.

The potential to get the most of data transmission rates is also evident in the use of the
12 byte receiver buffer and the 256 byte transmit buffer. This combined byte buffers
also use the buffer smoothing technology to facilitate the transfer of data at a
higher speed.

At an estimate, FT232RQ’s data transfer speed or rate can move from 300 Maud up to
3 Mbaud when operating at the TTL levels.

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Technical Specifications

Below are the tabulated attributes of FT232RQ’s USB to UART serial interface:

Product Attributes Description


Operating Temperature (minimum to maximum) Between 40˚C and 85˚C
Protocol Used Universal Serial Bus (USB)
Current (supply) 15mA
Core Functions USB to UART interface and a Bridge
Package/Case 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
Type of Interface UART
Voltage (supply) minimum to maximum 3.3 volts to 5.25 volts
USB Standards USB 2.0

FT232RQ’s Low Operations

FT232RQ supports the lowest levels of operations, as enshrined in the low USB
bandwidth consumption, the low-power operation and the USB suspend current.

USB to UART Interfacing: What’s the Relevance?

Before USB became the in-thing, UART has been in use for a long time. The
Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter (UART) interface is a
communication interface, supporting the RS-232 serial data communication.

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The primary use case is for the receipt and transmission (sending) of (serial) data
between embedded systems.

The introduction of Universal Serial Bus (USB) became a gamechanger, as it sought


to revamp the existing communication interface model and introduce a better model.
The need to ensure that the UART and the USB interfaces communicate seamlessly
created the need for a bridge, otherwise known as a USB to UART interface.

The interface, also called a controller or converter, aided the use of an Integrated
Circuit (IC) to send and receive serial data from a USB port. The data would be
further converter into a serial data, movable through the UART interface.

To maximize this conversion, the interface typically uses a combination of Rx and Tx


outputs. These outputs or signals allow the interface to port to the computer, from
where serial data would be sent to the port for an onward module-based conversion
into the UART signals.

Now that the concept has been defined, let us now look at some of the benefits of
using FT232RQ or any other USB to UART interface for serial communication data
transmission:

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4. USB Serial Bridges are Affordable

If you are looking for an affordable way to convert serial data from a USB to a UART
port, it has to be through the USB serial bridges or ICs.

These bridges, among many other things, are cost-effective and due to the smaller real
estate, can be easily replaced, rather than worked on.

5. Chip-Centric Management

FT232RQ’s core operation is based on the single chip and that also includes the entire
USB protocol. With this level of management, it is clear why there is little or no need
for an external, USB-centric programming firmware.

6. Small Real Estate

FT232RQ’s design allows for the best customizations, thanks to the smaller real estate.
Due to the less demands for Microcontroller (MCU) resources, FT232RQ can fit into
any circuit board, while packing most of the functions on a single chip.

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Final Words

FT232RQ features one of the highest data transfer rates estimated at 12 Megabytes
per second (Mbps). At that rate and with the bulk USB transfer modes, it sure packs a
punch to deliver the most flexible USB to UART interfacing.

Related Posts:

1. Do I need an external USB interface for my FPGA?

2. SPI vs I2C vs UART – What are the Differences between these Protocols?

3. How to Set Up UART Communication on the Arduino

4. The NEO-M8N-0-10 by u-blox: How Does It Work?

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