FS: Fused USB to UART adapter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 07:12:18 pm
content: Remember the threadI asked you guys about a USB to UART adapter? Now it is for sale!You can buy this on myTindie pageand I will ship it to everywhere on the world.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 07:27:38 pm
content: nice one (i like the USB B connector) but you should add pin description for the UART part. it's a serious drawback - no one wants an USB-uart without pinout indicated.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 07:37:24 pm
content: The USB-B connector is a nice idea for durability. It is however a very bulky connector. It would be nice to have this with a micro USB too.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 08:15:03 pm
content: Quote from: rob77 on May 23, 2015, 07:27:38 pmMy board house disregarded most of the silk screen so the pinout is missing (my original drawing did have them though)This issue will be fixed in the second production run. For the first run, I will ship a quick start guide with pinout on that instead.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 08:22:53 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on May 23, 2015, 07:37:24 pmThere is no through hole micro USB connector out there that I can find of. Sorry.

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2015, 04:12:48 pm
content: Quote from: technix on May 23, 2015, 08:22:53 pmThere are manyWhat I want is an FTDI/whatever board that's about 50mm square with M3 mounting holes, a durable connector and some Molex or D type connector so it can be fitted into rackmount gear.How about RS485/CAN adapters all on the same style footprint?! I think i'm onto a winner

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2015, 06:25:21 am
content: Quote from: Christopher on May 24, 2015, 04:12:48 pmThrough-hole miniUSB I did find them, through hole microUSB I never managed to find them at all.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2015, 07:09:35 am
content: I've had really bad experience with an RS485 adapter based on CH340. It seems that Windows drivers have problem with handling hardware flow control (it basically doesn't work no matter the settings) so guys who designed the converter which I had were using TX as DE signal, and the transceiver chip was in fact driving the bus when TX WAS low.I've been using FT232 for RS485 ever since.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2015, 07:24:27 am
content: I've been using the break out part from this $4 prototyping kit that has a CY7C65215 USB-UART:http://www.cypress.com/?rID=92146that can do I2C, SPI and UARThttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/cheap-easy-i2c-dev-kit/msg618200/#msg618200But for full FT232 and RS486 I think only the CY7C65213 will do and it's pin compatible (but way cheaper)https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/cypress-cy7c65213-a-pin-compatible-ft232r-replacement/

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2015, 09:18:17 am
content: Quote from: poorchava on May 25, 2015, 07:09:35 amWell this is not a USB to RS485 Adapter so that is obviously not my concern. My concern was making a SparkFun FTDI replacement which this board fits the role perfectly.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2015, 09:19:18 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on May 25, 2015, 07:24:27 amCH340G costs 20 U.S. cents each. Try beat this price point.

author: uoficowboy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2015, 03:11:46 pm
content: Quote from: technix on May 23, 2015, 08:22:53 pmCheck outMolex 105017-0001. I use this connector in multiple designs and like it - the 5 electrical contacts are surface mount, but the shell is through hole. I have never had one break off a board - it seems to be very mechanically robust.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2015, 04:29:05 pm
content: Quote from: technix on May 27, 2015, 09:19:18 amPower regulator on the CY7C65213 is good to go, and no need for the external oscillator either so it can be made as cheap as just the chip and a couple of decoupling caps and a very small footprint, using the board usb finger reduces the cost of the connector as well although it requires a USB extension cable to connect unless you want to connect it directly to the PC (Laptop would probably be best for direct connection)For the paranoid add a resettable fuse (about $0.05) on the VBUS.If you need more voltages check the datasheet how to use a TC 1070 ($0.25) and a couple of jumpers to give you 1.8V, 3.3V and 5V choicesAlso it supports battery power and charging, so sure it does cost $1.50 but the end result will be way cheaper, plus it supports all windows, os-x, linux & android and of course giving you 8 GPIO pins, and it's fully documented:http://www.cypress.com/?docID=49680Here is a picture of the CY7C65211, a similar board could be made using the CY7C65213 :Schematic of the CY7C65211:And if you don't like the QFN, they do offer SSOP as well.The BOM with the regulator and resetable fuse and a header it would be around $2 and the PCB can be panelized so the cost per board can be minimal, probably can be done single sided as well and only top loaded reducing cost even more.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2015, 11:16:35 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on May 27, 2015, 04:29:05 pmCY7C65213 costs US$4/each on Taobao.CH340G is US$0.2/each, AMS1117-3.3 is US$0.02/each, and crystal is US$0.05/each, even the USB Type B socket is US$0.04/each all from Taobao. My design have a total BOM cost of less than US$1. I have to price it higher to compensate for Tindie's fees and earn myself some money for bread.

author: charlespax
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2015, 04:49:55 pm
content: Quote from: uoficowboy on May 27, 2015, 03:11:46 pmThat's what I use in theT400 temperature dataloggerand Blinking Labs uses int heBlinky Tape. The surface mount connector kept popping off, but the through hole microUSB connectors are perfect. They're just really difficult to hand solder.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2015, 10:42:54 pm
content: Quote from: charlespax on May 31, 2015, 04:49:55 pmThose have to be reflow soldered and when soldering temperature profile have to be strictly observed, and I cannot afford that level of technology yet.

author: uoficowboy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2015, 01:30:08 am
content: Quote from: charlespax on May 31, 2015, 04:49:55 pmCompletely agree on them being a pain to hand solder. Do-able, but not fun. The SMT pins are recessed back too far so the angle of attack is awkward as hell.

author: charlespax
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2015, 02:15:40 am
content: Quote from: uoficowboy on June 01, 2015, 01:30:08 amCompletely agree on them being a pain to hand solder. Do-able, but not fun. The SMT pins are recessed back too far so the angle of attack is awkward as hell.I've been able to do it with a fine tip soldering iron and lots of experience. A hot air gun works nicely. To put it in perspective though, I like to solder the microUSB connector first because there's a high chance of messing it up :-(

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2015, 07:12:57 pm
content: Quote from: charlespax on June 01, 2015, 02:15:40 amI've been able to do it with a fine tip soldering iron and lots of experience. A hot air gun works nicely. To put it in perspective though, I like to solder the microUSB connector first because there's a high chance of messing it up :-(Since it is painfully obvious I am going to keep on using this through-hole Type B in my future projects. Mini-B also have through-hole variants but since it is not updated to USB 3.0 I am not going to even consider it. Maybe in the future I am going to release some gadgets that required USB 2.0 and 3.0...