USB converter cables back RS-422, RS-485

Future Technology Devices International (FTDI) has released two serial interface converter cables that incorporate transceivers to facilitate connecting RS-422 or RS-485 based peripherals to a PC's USB port.

Using FTDI's FT232RQ USB to asynchronous serial interface IC, the USB-RS485-WE converter cable includes an RS-485 transceiver while the USB-RS422-WE cable utilizes a RS-422 transceiver. The far end of the 1.8m cables are wire ended (no connector).

With the electronics encapsulated in the USB connector, these cables provide a quick, easy and completely transparent method of supporting these serial interface standards. With the complete USB protocol being managed within the FT232RQ device, there is no requirement for designers or end-customers to concern themselves with how to implement the USB standard. Additionally, royalty-free device drivers for the FT232RQ are available to download free from http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm. Both VCP and D2XX drivers are available for most popular operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, MAC OS X and Linux.

A feature of the FT2232RQ provides a user writeable EEPROM area. This allows the USB interface cables to be customized using FTDI's MPROG, available from http://www.ftdichip.com/Resources/Utilities.htm. The internal EEPROM can be programmed in-circuit over the USB interface without any additional voltage requirements.

The converter cables are suitable for a broad range of industrial applications such as instrumentation, machine control and data collection.