FTDIChip DB9-USB-RS232 User Manual

Future Technology Devices International Ltd

DB9-USB-RS232 Module

Male & Female

Datasheet

Document Reference No.: FT_000204

Version 1.1

Issue Date: 2010-02-19

Future Technology Devices International Ltd (FTDI)

Unit 1, 2 Seaward Place, Centurion Business Park, Glasgow, G41 1HH, United Kingdom

Tel.: [phone] Fax: + 44 (0) 141 429 2758

E-Mail (Support): [e-mail] Web: http://www.ftdichip.com

Neither the whole nor any part of the information contained in, or the product described in this manual, may be adapted or reproduced
in any material or electronic form without the prior written consent of the copyright holde r. This product and its documentation are
supplied on an as-is basis and no warranty as to their suitability for any particular purpose is either made or implied. Future Technology
Devices International Ltd will not accept any claim for damages howsoever a rising as a result of use or failure of this product. Your
statutory rights are not affected. This product or any variant of it is not intended for use in any medical appliance, device or system in
which the failure of the product might reasonably be expected to result in personal injury. This document provides preliminary
information that may be subject to change without notice. No freedom to use patents or other intellectual property rights is implied by
the publication of this document. Future Technology Devices International Ltd, Unit1, 2 Seaward Place, Centurion Business Park,
Glasgow, G41 1HH, United Kingdom. Scotland Registered Number: SC136640

Copyright © 2010 Future Technology Devices International Limited

Document Reference No.: FT_000204

DB9-USB-RS232 Datasheet

Version 1.1

Clearance No.: FTDI# 130

1 Introduction

1.1 Functional Description

The DB9-USB-RS232 modules are designed to directly replace an existing DB9, the industry accepted
name for a DE9 connector, (male or female) RS232 connection with a drop-in USB replacement
connection. The modules will replace (pin-for-pin) a male or female DB9 RS232 connector with a USB
mini-B connector. The application PCB containing the existing DB9 RS232 connector does not require any
modification, only the replacement of the D-type connector with the appropriate DB9-USB-RS232
module. A male DB9 should be replaced by a male DB9-USB-RS232-M and a female DB9 should be
replaced by a female DB9-USB-RS232-F. The modules contain all necessary electronics to convert
between USB and RS232.

The purposes of the modules is to provide a simple method of adapting legacy serial devices with RS232
interfaces to modern USB ports by replacing the DB9 connector with this miniaturised module which
closely resembles a DB9 connector. This is accomplished by incorporating the industry standard FTDI
FT232R USB-Serial Bridge IC plus the required level shifters inside the module.

Figure 1.1 – DB9-USB-RS232

The module uses a standard USB-MINI-B connector for connection to an upstream host or hub port.
RS232-level signals, including modem handshake signals, can transmit data at rates up to 1 Mega Baud.

The DB9-USB-RS232 module requires USB device drivers, available free from www.ftdichip.com, which
are used to make the DB9-USB-RS232 appear as a Virtual COM Port (VCP). This allows existing serial
communications software, such as HyperTerminal, to exchange data through the DB9-USB-RS232 to a
legacy RS232 peripheral device.

Note: The connector is referred as a DB9 connector since DE9 is often referred to by this name.

Copyright © 2010 Future Technology Devices International Limited 1

Document Reference No.: FT_000204

DB9-USB-RS232 Datasheet

Version 1.1

Clearance No.: FTDI# 130

1.2 Block Diagram

FTDI FT232R

USB Serial Bridge

RS232

Level Shifter

USB Mini B

Client

Connector

DB9 PCB

Decal

DB9 Module

DB9 Module

Figure 1.2 – DB9-USB-RS232 Block Diagram

1.2.1 Block description

USB Mini B Client Connector

This connector provides the interface for connection to a USB Host or Hub port.

FTDI FT232R

The FTDI FT232R provides the USB-to-Serial conversion. Operating system device drivers are required in
order to operate with the FT232R to provide the Virtual COM Port serial functionality.

RS232 Level Shifter

The RS232 level shifter converts the signals provided by the FT232R into the voltage levels required by
application RS232 interface.

DB9 PCB Footprint

The DB9 pin-out configured in an industry standard (TIA/EIA-574) pin-out to provide connection to
RS232 peripherals through a standard DB9 footprint . See section 2.1.2

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Document Reference No.: FT_000204

DB9-USB-RS232 Datasheet

Version 1.1

Clearance No.: FTDI# 130

Parameter

Performance

USB Interface

12Mbps USB 2.0 Full-Speed

RS232 Interface

Standard Windows baud rates (300bps to 921.6Kbps)

Custom baud rates (300bps to 1Mbps) through baud rate aliasing. See

FTDI Application Note: Configuring FT232R, FT2232 and FT232BM Baud

Rates

Part Number

Description

DB9-USB-M

Full Speed USB to 1-Port RS232 module to replace RS232 DB9 male connector

DB9-USB-F

Full Speed USB to 1-Port RS232 module to replace RS232 DB9 female connector

1.3 Features

Adds one USB serial port by connecting to the RS232 DB9 footprint of a device
Easy placement for an standard Male and Female RS232 DB9 footprint of a device
Works with USB 1.1 & 2.0 Host and Hub ports
Industry Standard FTDI chip set & device drivers for maximum compatibility
Microsoft Windows
Installs as a standard Windows COM port
Supports Windows Server 2008, 2003, Vista, XP 2000, Linux, Mac OS X
128 byte transmit buffer, 256 byte receive buffer
RS-232 data signals: TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DSR, DTR, DCD, RI, GND
Powered by USB port. No external power adapter required.
Serial port speed up to 1Mbps
Serial Communication Parameters

o Parity: None, Even, Odd
o Data bits: 7, 8
o Flow control: RTS/CTS , DSR/DTR, X-ON/X-OFF, None

Operating temperature of -40°C to +85°C

®

WHQL-certified, Mac OS X, Linux and Windows CE device drivers

1.4 Performance Figures

Table 1.1 – Performance Specifications

Table 1.2 – Ordering Information

Copyright © 2010 Future Technology Devices International Limited 3

Document Reference No.: FT_000204

DB9-USB-RS232 Datasheet

Version 1.1

Clearance No.: FTDI# 130

1 Introduction ................................................................................... 1

1.1 Functional Description .................................................................................. 1

1.2 Block Diagram ............................................................................................... 2

1.2.1 Block description ....................................................................................... 2

1.3 Features ........................................................................................................ 3

1.4 Performance Figures ..................................................................................... 3

2 Connections .................................................................................... 5

2.1 External Connections .................................................................................... 5

2.1.1 USB ......................................................................................................... 5

2.1.2 Replacing an RS232 DB9 MALE (DTE defined) Connector ................................ 6

2.1.3 Replacing an RS232 DB9 FEMALE (DCE defined) Connector ............................ 7

3 Installation ..................................................................................... 8

3.1 Device Driver Installation ............................................................................. 8

3.1.1 Microsoft Windows Installation .................................................................... 8

3.1.2 Mac OS X, Linux, Windows CE ................................................................... 12

4 Electrical details ........................................................................... 13

4.1 USB ............................................................................................................. 13

4.2 RS232 ......................................................................................................... 13

5 Mechanical Details ........................................................................ 14

6 Physical Environment Details ....................................................... 15

6.1 Storage ....................................................................................................... 15

6.2 Operating .................................................................................................... 15

7 Environmental Approvals & Declarations ...................................... 16

7.1 EMI Compatibility ........................................................................................ 16

7.2 Safety.......................................................................................................... 16

7.3 Environmental ............................................................................................. 16

7.4 Reliability .................................................................................................... 16

7.4.1 MTTF ..................................................................................................... 16

7.5 Import / Export Information ....................................................................... 17

8 Troubleshooting ........................................................................... 18

9 Contact Information ..................................................................... 19

Appendix A – List of Figures and tables ............................................. 21

Appendix B – DCE and DTE Wire Configurations ................................. 22

B.1 Wire Configuration for the Male and Female Modules ..................................... 22

B.1.1 RS232 Wiring ............................................................................................... 22

Appendix C – Revision History ........................................................... 24

Copyright © 2010 Future Technology Devices International Limited 4

Document Reference No.: FT_000204

DB9-USB-RS232 Datasheet

Version 1.1

Clearance No.: FTDI# 130

Pin Number

Pin Type

Description

1

Power

VBUS – USB Power provided from upstream USB Host or Hub

2

Bidirectional

D– = USB data signal, negative polarity

3

Bidirectional

D+ = USB data signal, positive polarity

4

ID

Not Connected

5

Ground

GND = USB signal ground

Shield

Case Ground

Drain = typically connected to the host PC case

2 Connections

2.1 External Connections

2.1.1 USB

The DB9-USB-RS232 module is a downstream USB 2.0 Device. A “USB mini B” receptacle is mounted
inside the module to facilitate connection to an upstream USB Host or Hub.

Table 2.1 – USB “mini-B” Receptacle Pin-Out

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Document Reference No.: FT_000204

DB9-USB-RS232 Datasheet

Version 1.1

Clearance No.: FTDI# 130

Pin Number

Pin Type of

application

Description

1

Input

DCD = Data Carrier Detect

2

Input

RXD = Receive Data

(this is an output from the DB9-USB-RS232-M to the application Rx input)

3

Output

TXD = Transmit Data

(this is an input to the DB9-USB-RS232-M from the application Tx output)

4

Output

DTR = Data Terminal Ready

(this is an input to the DB9-USB-RS232-M from the application DTR output)

5

Ground

GND = RS232 signal ground

6

Input

DSR = Data Set Ready

(this is an output from the DB9-USB-RS232-M to the application DSR input)

7

Output

RTS = Request To Send

(this is an input to the DB9-USB-RS232-M from the application RTS output)

8

Input

CTS = Clear To Send

(this is an output from the DB9-USB-RS232-M to the application CTS input)

9

Input

RI = Ring Indicator

Shield

Case Ground

Drain = typically connected to the host PC case

GND

DTR TXD RXD

DCD

RI CTS RTS DSR

12345

9 8 7 6

2.1.2 Replacing an RS232 DB9 MALE (DTE defined) Connector

The DB9-USB-RS232-M can be used to replace a male DB9 connector used for transmitting RS232
protocol. With the DB9-USB-RS232-M in place instead of the standard USB connector a USB bridge is
created, this allow the application to communicate with other devices via USB. Installing the DB9-USB­RS232-M is simple. Simply replace the male DB9 connector with the DB9-USB-RS232-M connector (same
PCB footprint), install drivers and the device is ready to use.

Table 2.2 gives the pin out description of each pad of an RS232 footprint. Figure 2.2 gives a description
of the connections between the DB9-USB-RS232-M and the footprint of a male DB9 module.

Table 2.2 – A Male RS232 DB9 footprint Pin-Out

Figure 2.2 illustrates these connections from a PCB footprint point of view.

Figure 2.1 – DB9-USB-RS232-M Pin-Out from a Top View through the module

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Document Reference No.: FT_000204

DB9-USB-RS232 Datasheet

Version 1.1

Clearance No.: FTDI# 130

Pin Number

Pin Type at

application

Description

1

Output

DCD = Data Carrier Detect

(this is an input to the DB9-USB-RS232-F from the application DCD output)

2

Output

RXD = Receive Data
(this is an input to the DB9-USB-RS232-F from the application Tx output, normally
labelled RXD in DCE convention)

3

Input

TXD = Transmit Data

(this is an output to the DB9-USB-RS232-F from the application Rx input, normally
labelled TXD in DCE convention)

4

Input

DTR = Data Terminal Ready

(this is an output to the DB9-USB-RS232-F from the application DSR input, normally
labelled DTR in DCE convention)

5

Ground

GND = RS232 signal ground

6

Output

DSR = Data Set Ready

(this is an input to the DB9-USB-RS232-F from the application DTR output, normally
labelled DSR in DCE convention)

7

Input

RTS = Request To Send

(this is an output to the DB9-USB-RS232-F from the application CTS input, normally
labelled RTS in DCE convention)

8

Output

CTS = Clear To Send

(this is an input to the DB9-USB-RS232-F from the application RTS output, normally
labelled CTS in DCE convention)

9

Output

RI = Ring Indicator

(this is an input to the DB9-USB-RS232-F from the application RI output)

Shield

Case Ground

Drain = typically connected to the host PC case

GNDDTR

TXD

RXDDCD

RICTSRTSDSR

1 2

3

4 5

6

7

8

9

2.1.3 Replacing an RS232 DB9 FEMALE (DCE defined) Connector

The DB9-USB-RS232-F can be used to replace a female DB9 connector used for transmitting RS232
protocol. With the DB9-USB-RS232-F in place instead of the standard USB connector a USB bridge is
created, this allow the application to communicate with other devices via USB. Installing the DB9-USB­RS232-F is simple. Simply replace the female DB9 connector with the DB9-USB-RS232-F connector
(same PCB footprint), install drivers and the device is ready to use.

Table 2.3 gives the pin out description of each pad of an RS232 footprint. Figure 2.3 gives a description
of the connections between the DB9-USB-RS232-F and the footprint of a female DB9 module.

Table 2.3 – A Female RS232 DB9 footprint Pin-Out

Figure 2.2 – DB9-USB-RS232-F Pin-Out from a Top View through the module

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