Standard USB to DB9 Female RS232 Serial Cable
Internal Chip: PL2303
Package:PE Bag
Length:1.8M
Download and Install VCP Drivers
The PL2303 is a USB-to-serial converter chip manufactured by Prolific Technology Inc. Like the CP2102, it's used to provide serial communication capabilities to devices through a USB port. The PL2303 is also supported by several operating systems. Here are the main operating systems for which drivers are available for the PL2303:
- Windows XP/ Vista/7/8/8.1/10/11
- macOS X (10.3 and newer)
- Various distributions of Linux with USB support
- Android devices with USB host support
- Windows CE:
- Versions of Windows CE with USB support
- Versions of Windows Mobile with USB support
- Windows Embedded Compact:
Versions of Windows Embedded Compact with USB support
The PL2303 drivers allow the chip to be recognized as a virtual COM port on the respective operating systems. This enables software to communicate with the connected device using standard serial communication protocols.
As with any hardware, it's important to ensure you're using the correct and up-to-date drivers for your specific operating system. The availability of drivers and compatibility might vary based on the version of the operating system you're using. Always refer to the official Prolific Technology website or documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding driver support for the PL2303 on various operating systems.
Typical Applications
1. Legacy Device Connectivity: Many older devices, such as modems, routers, serial printers, barcode scanners, and industrial machinery, use RS232 serial communication. The USB to RS232 cable allows you to connect these legacy devices to your modern computer or laptop without requiring a native serial port.
2. Programming and Debugging: The cable is commonly used by engineers and developers for programming and debugging tasks. It allows them to interface with embedded systems, microcontrollers, and other electronic devices that communicate via RS232 serial.
3. Industrial Automation: In industrial settings, various equipment and machinery still use RS232 communication for data
exchange. This cable enables technicians and engineers to monitor and control these devices using a computer.
4. Networking Equipment Configuration: Some networking equipment, like routers and switches, might have a console port that requires RS232 serial connectivity for initial setup and configuration. The USB to RS232 cable facilitates configuration tasks for network administrators.
5. Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems: Certain POS systems and retail peripherals use RS232 serial for communication. The USB to RS232 cable allows these devices to connect to modern POS terminals or computers with USB ports.
6. Lab Equipment Communication: Scientific instruments and lab equipment often rely on RS232 serial communication. The cable permits seamless integration of these instruments with computers, making data analysis and control more accessible.
7. Embedded System Development: When working on embedded systems or prototyping projects, engineers use RS232 serial to communicate with microcontrollers and other embedded components. The USB to RS232 cable aids in this communication.
8. Security System Integration: Some security systems, like surveillance cameras or access control panels, may use RS232 serial interfaces. The cable facilitates integration between these systems and computers used for monitoring or management.
9. Data Logging and Collection: The cable can be used to connect data loggers and sensors that communicate via RS232 to a computer for data collection, storage, and analysis.
Chip PL2303 Features
- Full Compliant with USB Specification v2.0 (Full-Speed)
- On-chip USB 1.1 transceiver and 5V to 3.3V regulator
- On-chip 96MHz Clock Generator
- Built-in RS232 Transceiver
- Follow EIA/TIA-232F standards
- Full UART RS232 interface pins (TXD, RXD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, and RI)
- Flexible baud rate support up to 1Mbps
- Three RS232 Drivers design
- Five RS232 Receivers (always active)
- Hardware and software flow control
- On-chip OTP (One Time Programmable) ROM for writing startup device configurations.
- Each IC has unique ID(for Serial Number)
- 1024-byte bi-directional data buffers (768-byte receive/256-byte transmit).
- Package type: SSOP28
