Parallax's engineering and marketing opinion is that this chip seals FTDI's position as the leader in USB to serial bridge chips. And we've looked at the competition for our own products. This chip is compatible with existing FTDI Virtual COM Port drivers!

The FT232RL is a 28-pin SSOP with an RoHS-compliant lead-free package (the FT232RL is not available in a standard leaded package). Be sure to use our surface-mount reflow profile for lead-free FTDI chips for assembly. This architecture is also available in a QFN-32 package (see FT232RQ) at the same price.

Features:

• Single chip USB to asynchronous serial data transfer interface
• Entire USB protocol handled on the chip - No USB-specific firmware programming required
• UART interface support for 7 or 8 data bits, 1 or 2 stop bits and odd / even / mark / space / no parity
• Fully assisted hardware or X-On / X-Off software handshaking
• Data transfer rates from 300 baud to 3 Megabaud (RS422 / RS485 and at TTL levels) and 300 baud to 1 Megabaud (RS232)
• 256 byte receive buffer and 128 byte transmit buffer utilizing buffer smoothing technology to allow for high data throughput
• In-built support for event characters and line break condition
• New USB FTDIChip-ID™ feature
• New configurable CBUS I/O pins
• Auto transmit buffer control for RS485 applications
• Transmit and receive LED drive signals
• New 48MHz, 24MHz,12MHz, and 6MHz clock output signal Options for driving external MCU or FPGA
• FIFO receive and transmit buffers for high data throughput
• Adjustable receive buffer timeout
• Synchronous and asynchronous bit bang mode interface options with RD# and WR# strobes
• Package Type: 28-pin SSOP

Key Specifications:

• Power Requirements: -0.5 to +6 VDC
• Communication: UART Interfact
• Dimensions: .406 x .306 x .072 in (10.31 x 7.77 x 1.85 mm)
• Operating Temperature: -40 to +185 °F (-40 to +85 °C)

Downloads & Resources:
FTDI Schematics (Off Site)
FTDI Chip Drivers (Off Site)