December 1, 2009 – Future Technology Devices International Limited (FTDI) announced today that they have sold over 5,000 of their USB 2.0 Hi-Speed evaluation mini-modules over the past six months since their launch. Commenting on their success, Fred Dart, CEO, FTDI said, “Our range of mini-modules have proved to be extremely popular with design engineers. We’ve sold out of them on two occasions and have increased production to meet demand. Using our FT4232H and FT2232H ICs, the modules are aimed at system developers and provide a quick and easy method of prototyping a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface.”

The mini-modules interface to a number of asynchronous and synchronous serial interfaces such as UART, JTAG, I2C or SPI. The modules also provide the ability to configure a customised serial interface or parallel (FIFO) ports. They allow designers to quickly evaluate, model or prototype USB 2.0 Hi-Speed designs. To further ease design, the complete USB 2.0 protocol is embedded within the ICs such that no additional firmware is required. Engineers do not need to become involved with any low level USB 2.0 protocols. A USB mini-B type connector (socket) on the PCB provides easy USB connectivity.

The mini-modules are part of a comprehensive family of evaluation modules and legacy serial interface modules all based on their FT2232H and FT4232 USB to UART/FIFO ICs. These 5th generation devices support the 480 Mb/s USB 2.0 Hi-Speed specification and have the capability of being configured in a variety of industry standard serial or parallel interfaces such as UART or FIFO.

The FT4232H offers four configurable interfaces and the FT2232H two configurable interfaces. Two of the FT4232H’s interfaces and both of the FT2232H’s interfaces can be configured as UART, JTAG, SPI, I2C or bitbang mode serial interfaces with independent baud rate generators. The additional two interfaces of the FT4232H offer UART or bitbang options. In addition, the FT2232H interfaces can be independently configured as a FT245 FIFO, in host bus emulation mode, a CPU interface FIFO mode or a fast opto-isolated serial interface mode.

For applications that need to provide USB 2.0 Hi-Speed host connectivity to legacy serial interfaces such as RS232 (EIA-232), RS422 (EIA-422) or RS485 (EIA-485) versions, FTDI provides a complete range of interface modules. The USB-COM-PLUS family of modules provide single, dual or quad port options. The dual and quad port modules utilise the FT2232H and FT4232H devices. The FTDI USB-COM-PLUS family of modules offers what is believed to be one of the industry’s highest data transfer rates with speeds up to 10 Mb/s on the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed multi-port modules and 3 Mb/s on the USB 2.0 Full Speed single port modules. The multi-port modules feature a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (480 Mb/s) interface and include the most generous Tx/Rx data buffers available (up to 4k bytes) plus low data latency times. The single port module offers 5V switched USB power over RS232, ideal for POS applications.

The USB-COM-PLUS modules are powered from the USB port, saving the need for an additional external power adapter and associated costs. PCB mounted LEDs provide indication of USB enumeration, RxD and TxD signals. The complete USB is also handled by the modules. This means there is little or no changes necessary to existing software application. Royalty-free WHQL approved drivers are available for all popular operating systems at http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm

Contact Information

Future Technology Devices International Ltd.

7235 NW Evergreen Pkwy
Hillsboro, Oregon, 97124
USA

tele: 503-547-0988
fax: 503-547-0987
us.sales@ftdichip.com
www.ftdichip.com

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 am and is filed under News.