Silicon Laboratories CP2102N-MINIEK User Manual

UG254: CP2102N-MINIEK Kit User's Guide

The CP2102N-MINIEK kit is designed to showcase the various
features of the CP2102N USBXpress® devices.

These highly-integrated USB-to-UART bridge controllers provide a simple solution for
updating RS-232 designs to USB using a minimum of components and PCB space. By
eliminating the need for complex firmware and driver development, the CP2102N devi­ces enable quick USB connectivity with minimal development effort.

The kit includes the following:

• CP2102N USB-to-UART Bridge Mini Evaluation Board

• Getting Started card

KEY FEATURES

• CP2102N USB-to-UART Bridge

• Headers for easy access to UART, GPIO,
and Battery Charger Detect pins

• 0.1" header pitch for breadboard
compatibility

• Small board size

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UG254: CP2102N-MINIEK Kit User's Guide

Getting Started

1. Getting Started

1. Download and Install the Latest Virtual COM Port (VCP) Drivers.

The Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers enable the CP2102N to appear as a standard COM port. Download the latest version of driv­ers from the Silicon Labs website:

http://www.silabs.com/vcpdrivers

In most cases, select the default option without serial enumeration.

2. Set Up Your Kit.

a. Provide power to the board by connecting the mini USB connector to the PC using a mini USB cable (not provided). When a

connection has been established successfully, the LED (marked in the picture) lights up.

LED

3. Detect Your Device.

The CP2102N
identically to a real COM port from the reference point of both the host application and the serial device, and it can support serial
device control requests defined in the Microsoft Win32® Communications API.

device will appear as a COM port in Device Manager in Windows. As a virtual COM port, the CP210x functions

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UG254: CP2102N-MINIEK Kit User's Guide

Getting Started

4. Set up a Loop-Back Test.

Short the CP210x RXD and TXD pins on header J2.

5. Send and Receive Some Data.

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UG254: CP2102N-MINIEK Kit User's Guide

Getting Started

a. In Windows, open a serial terminal program (downloaded separately, RealTerm pictured) to verify the CP2102N UART func-

tionality.

b. Set the baud rate and select the COM port from Device Manager.

c. Type in the transmit area. The characters should echo back after looping through the CP2102N TXD and RXD pins.

6. Utilize the Available Resources.

The next section includes additional resources available for the device, including documentation and application notes.

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UG254: CP2102N-MINIEK Kit User's Guide

Relevant Documentation

2. Relevant Documentation

The following Application Notes are applicable to CP2102N devices:

• AN721: CP210x Device Customization Guide — This application note guides developers through the configuration process of
USBXpress devices using Simplicity Studio [Xpress Configurator].

• AN220: USB Driver Customization — This document and accompanying software enable the customization of the CP210x Virtual
COM Port (VCP) and USBXpress drivers.

• AN197: Serial Communications Guide for CP210x — This document describes recommendations for communicating with USBX­press CP210x devices using the Virtual COM Port (VCP) driver.

• AN976: Migrating from a CP2102 to a CP2102N — This document guides developers on how to migrate existing systems using the
CP2102 to the CP2102N.

• AN169: USBXpress Programmer’s Guide — This application note provides recommendations and examples for developing using
the USBXpress direct-access driver.

• AN807: Recertifying a Customized Windows HCK Driver Package — This document describes the WHQL certification process re­quired for customized drivers.

• AN223: Runtime GPIO Control for CP210x — This document describes how to toggle GPIO pins from the USB host.

Application Notes can be accessed on the Silicon Labs website (www.silabs.com/interface-appnotes) or in Simplicity Studio using the
[Getting Started]>[Application Notes] area of the launcher.

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