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. Parallax's normal stock of this chip will be over 10,000 units.

The FT232RL is FTDI's newest USB to serial UART chipThe substantial list of improvements include:

• Internal EEPROM for your vendor ID and product ID.
• Internal configurable clock to drive the FT232RL (clock can also be brought out to drive a microcontroller).
• Internal unique ID installed as part of the die fabrication which can be used to protect a customer's application.
• Internal passive components, which used to be required outside of the FTDI chip.

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