- Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:43 pm
#8564
These are the new generation of FTDI's USB chips - see http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/FT232R.htm. They're a competitor to the Silabs CP2101 parts in that they offer a USB to serial bridge with the bare minimum of external components.
The way I see it though, the FTDI parts have got a bit of an edge. They're available in 2 different packages. The SSOP package is a little easier for hobbyists to solder that a 0.5 QFN style package, and easier for single sided PCB layout because tracks can be brought out from the ends of the chip. Some of the pins even have software assignable functions, making PCB layout even easier. This chip also has a clock output from its internal oscillator, which is good for driving the a CPU. The other reason I like the idea of the FTDI chips over the Silabs devices is that they have well established drivers, particularly for Linux.
Any chance of Spark Fun stocking these? They're already available at Saelig and Parallax, but the shipping cost to Australia is a killer.
Michael
The way I see it though, the FTDI parts have got a bit of an edge. They're available in 2 different packages. The SSOP package is a little easier for hobbyists to solder that a 0.5 QFN style package, and easier for single sided PCB layout because tracks can be brought out from the ends of the chip. Some of the pins even have software assignable functions, making PCB layout even easier. This chip also has a clock output from its internal oscillator, which is good for driving the a CPU. The other reason I like the idea of the FTDI chips over the Silabs devices is that they have well established drivers, particularly for Linux.
Any chance of Spark Fun stocking these? They're already available at Saelig and Parallax, but the shipping cost to Australia is a killer.
Michael