USB to UART Converter

Some devices, e.g., ESP8266-01 wifi modules, GNSS receiver modules, Particulate Matter sensors and others have a 'start-stop signalling' RS232 type of serial interface for exchanging data. A USB to UART ( Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter ) converter is required in order to display the data using a serial terminal program on a pc for example. Other uses include: alternative if no legacy COM port, provides a virtual COM port, provides usb connectivity, for retreiving raw data for display and parsing, connect with devices having a uart interface, connect with usb to a micro-controller uart peripheral. It's an extremely useful item.

USB-UART converter connected to ESP8266-01 wifi module

TX and RX data shown in a serial terminal application

 

 

RS485 Interface for MCUs

Micro-Controller Units ( MCUs ) typically have one or more integrated USART peripherals but lack an RS485 interface for serial communication using a twisted pair over distances of tens of metres. When required, an external interface is necessary.  Two are needed for inter-MCU communication, or a USB-RS485 protocol converter dongle to transfer data to an application on a pc for example. In the image below the breadboard used at SpacerLabs for PIC MCU project development is shown. The MCU PIC16F18875 is being used.

RS485 interfaces at either end of 4.5m twisted pair