Looking for USB to serial TTL level for Windows 10 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 09:39:43 am
content: Any recommendations for a low cost USB to serial TTL level (COM port emulator) for Windows 10?There's various ones on Ebay, but I want one that is known to work and doesn't suffer from that FTDI driver issue. I don't mind if it's FTDI based as long as it works!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 10:12:47 am
content: I'm about to release a new USB to TTL level UART / RS485 / NXP LPC programmer product based on a Silabs CP2103 chip.It has the following features:- Fixed I/O level of 3.3V or externally applied between 1.8V and 3.3V- Can supply 3.3V up to 90mA- Bi-color RX/TX indicator led- Series resistors and overvoltage protection on RX, TX and RS485- Has reset & programming pin support for programming NXP LPC ARM microcontrollers (can be disabled using the switch)- Filtering and RF decoupling on USB interface- Unique serial number so it won't hop COM port numbers (not standard on CP210x based devices)- Half duplex RS485 port for short range with automatic RX/TX direction switching.- Designed to be hotplugged- Plastic casing with lasercut panels- USB cable includedThis device isn't exactly low cost but it has been designed to work problem free and to withstand some abuse in the hands of a developer. One of my customers hot plugs it all day long on a production line and so far no problems reported. They went through quite a few FTDI based boards before that! It also doesn't crap out when I switch my bench PSU on&off -again- unlike the FTDI based programmer I used before.The price is 80 (*) euro for EEVblog members (excluding VAT and shipping). I have some stock on hand.* The regular retail price is 105 euro ex. VAT.

author: RogerRowland
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 11:48:10 am
content: I'm using these CP2104 based modules on Windows 10 with no problems:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-to-TTL-UART-CP2104-Serial-Converter-Module-Improved-CP2102-DTR-pin-UK-Stock-/400871754315

author: pauln
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 12:05:31 pm
content: I bought 2 of these -http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/6in1-USB-to-TTL-UART-485-232-Multi-function-Serial-Interface-Module-CP2102-BU-/261979026436?hash=item3cff2ab404They work well and cover all ttl/rs232/rs485 modes. I would avoid prolific based solutions as there seem to be many fakes, at least that has been my experience!!

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 12:39:39 pm
content: Quote from: RogerRowland on September 22, 2015, 11:48:10 amThat looks like what I'm after, many thanks.Thanks to everyone else who responded to my request.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 02:46:57 pm
content: Quote from: pauln on September 22, 2015, 12:05:31 pmDo they run out of the box on stock Windows, MAC and Linux computers without having to install drivers?This is FTDI's major advantage.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 05:41:06 pm
content: Only Windows is a problem. MAC I don't know but on Linux about any USB hardware just works out of the box.

author: TheBay
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 06:32:06 pm
content: Cannot fault the CP210x range, even my £2000 ham radio has one built in! Works perfectly.I have used those boards linked above with no issues, I am not a fan of the Genuine Prolific chips even the 64 bit ones, the CP range is cheaper and more reliable IMHO.But if cost isn't an issue FTDI are my fav.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 07:22:01 pm
content: Gearmo makes great converters of all different flavors and uses the FTDI chipset (my strong preference because of the driver support).https://www.gearmo.com/product-category/usb-to-serial/usb-to-serial-adapters/https://www.gearmo.com/product-category/usb-to-ttl-converters/

author: TheBay
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 07:46:08 pm
content: I use these a lot:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Startech-com-Serial-RS232-Adapter-Retention/dp/B004ZMYTYC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442951119They are not JUST a FTDI inside, there is some more logic inside, cannot remember the chip off the top of my head but these are built really well!

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 11:56:45 pm
content: The latest USB serial chip being used by the Asian sellers for their Arduino clones and USB TTL serial converters are based on their CH340 chip. I recently bought a cheap arduino Nano clone that used one of these converters to test on my windows 10 laptop. It worked out of the box with no driver to find or load.Nanohttp://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Nano-V3-0-ATmega328-16M-5V-Micro-controller-CH340G-board-For-Arduino-/371327437069?hash=item5674d7090dStandalone converterhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/CH340G-USB-Converter-to-Serial-TTL-Module-Adapter-for-Android-Win7-Win8-XP-/391167581103?hash=item5b13679bafI never had any problems with the FTDI based chips, but did find one Nano board in my stash with a counterfeit chip when FTDI updated their driver.

author: Philbywhizz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2015, 03:16:09 am
content: Quote from: retrolefty on September 22, 2015, 11:56:45 pmI'm warey of the CH340 chips - I've found that the latest Arduino Nanos that you can get on ebay are using this chip and the drivers for non-windows machines (Linux/Mac) were causing random kernel panics (reboots) on my setups (both Linux and MAC).Kinda makes it annoying as I was going to use the Nano as a serial interface for my EEPROM programmer. I'm now looking at an alternative (maybe a USB->TTL connector to a stand-alone ATMega328 chip for serial comms).

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2015, 11:35:49 pm
content: Quote from: Philbywhizz on September 24, 2015, 03:16:09 amI am also looking for nanos with ftdi but couldn't find any. Try Arduino Pro Mini with a genuine Ftdi Basic.

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2015, 11:51:05 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on September 24, 2015, 11:35:49 pmWell they seem to still exist:http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Ardunio+Nano+FTDI&_sacat=0Big problem is to try and guess if any specific offer is using a true or conterfit FTDI chip. I've had both show up.

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 08:27:28 am
content: Quote from: RogerRowland on September 22, 2015, 11:48:10 amNO NO NO NO. CP2104 driver is buggy as hell on Windows 8+. It WILL eventually crash your machine. Usually it happens when you unplug the adapter. I literally just 2 days ago through out 4 of the things and replaced them with units built with authentic FTDI parts for exactly this reason. The newer Prolific part, PL2303HX, is reported to work fine on Windows 10, but I have not tried it. One thing I haven't liked about Prolific in the past is they seem to get a new com port number every time I move them around. Not sure if that's still the case.You can find true FTDI ones if you look. Here are two that I know for a fact are true FTDI. One is 5V, the other 3.3Vhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LBXO2Ahttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LC28G2The local electronics store here in Seattle sells some really nice ones. They can be configured for 5V or 3.3V by merely changing which one of two solder bridges is bridged:http://www.vetco.net/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=17116&keywords=FTDIThey are actually made by a company, wctek.com. They sell on their web site what I think is the same model, but best to call them and verify:http://www.piccolino.rocks/product/piccolino-ftdi-programmer-3-3v/If you must have FTDI, don't buy on eBay unless you know for sure the seller and the part. Otherwise you will get some unscrupulous douche-bag happy to sell you Wun Hung Lo counterfeit FTDI.

author: RogerRowland
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 08:48:56 am
content: Quote from: motocoder on September 25, 2015, 08:27:28 amThen we have different experiences. I've used CP2104 modules for a couple of years on Windows 8 and for the last few months on Windows 10. I plug/unplug regularly during testing and have had zero problems. Maybe it's driver versions, maybe it's the module itself, maybe I'm just lucky, but we certainly seem to be seeing different behaviour.OP - and everyone else - better beware.

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 11:58:47 am
content: Quote from: RogerRowland on September 25, 2015, 08:48:56 amYou can find all kinds of references on the net backing up my experience on this.

author: RogerRowland
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 12:03:33 pm
content: Quote from: motocoder on September 25, 2015, 11:58:47 amUnderstood, and I wasn't denying your experiences, just saying I didn't share them so for anyone else, their mileage may vary. There's a lot of variables involved and I'm sure you find good and bad experiences of most things ....

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 12:11:39 pm
content: Quote from: RogerRowland on September 25, 2015, 08:48:56 amI've got one in now, so I'll let you know how I get on. At least they're cheap so not a major loss if it doesn't work.Thanks to everyone for the comments.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 08:25:19 pm
content: Just tried it and it works fine. I ran up Terra Term and connected TX to RX and it echoes fine. I tried unplugging it and it didn't crash the computer. So first impressions says it appears to be OK.

author: Phiveaces
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 08:44:44 pm
content: Me too, I have a couple CP2104s, use the regularly with no issues in Windows 8 or 10.I do like the Keyspan adapters as well (FTDI based). Though they are much more expensive.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 09:07:56 pm
content: Quote from: deephaven on September 25, 2015, 08:25:19 pmJudging from various forum posts (Google) people do seem to have problems but it also seems Silabs has released new drivers. So things may not be bad anymore. When pushed to the extreme (noisy environment) the CP210x series behave much more reliable than the FTDI chips. I can reproduce that on my own bench!