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3rd Party Evaluation Kits |
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This section highlights 3rd party evaluation kits based on FTDI devices.
These products are not usually available through regular FTDI
distribution channels. The product manufacturers should be
contacted in each case for details of where to buy. |
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Starting Point Systems - μChameleon |
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The µChameleon is a general
purpose USB interface with digital and analogue inputs and outputs.
It brings the power of the personal computer to your electronics
projects. And because simplicity is the essence of magic, our main
focus, when designing the µChameleon, was ease of use.
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The embedded command
interpreter, with it's easy to remember syntax, makes complicated APIs
a thing of the past. You can even start by typing commands in
HyperTerminal!
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Virtual serial port drivers
let you see the µChameleon as a regular serial port, although it's
possible to talk directly to the USB stack through a DLL. All
programming languages that can send text strings to a com port will
work.
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Full-speed USB
communications, up to 1 Mbytes/second, will let you control even the
fastest devices, like stepper motors, servo loops, audio generators,
switching supplies...
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Screw terminals lets you
quickly and easily hook up your external circuits.
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Power supply circuitry will
automatically switch from USB power to external power, providing power
to your external circuits in both cases.
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And it's so compact it fits
in a pocket.
Whether you're an engineer,
student, or serious hobbyist, you'll be amazed by the variety of
real-world applications you'll be able to tackle successfully with your
µChameleon: monitor sensors and switches, control motors and relays,
implement servo loops, log data, control physics and chemistry
experiments, and more...
Teachers will like the fact that real applications can be built in front
of the class even in the limited amount of time that's generally
available. OEM's will be able to prototype and prepare convincing demos
for their prospects in a very short time.
Of course, our support staff is always ready to answer your questions,
and will help you find the simplest path to success.
For more information and ordering details, see
http://www.starting-point-systems.com. |
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Lawicel AB - CANUSB Kit |
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CANUSB is a very small dongle
that plugs into any PC USB port and gives an instant CAN connectivity.
This means it can be treated by software as a standard COM port (serial
RS232 port) which eliminates the need for any extra drivers or by
installing a direct driver DLL for faster communications and higher CAN
bus loads.
Sending and receiving can be done in standard ASCII format or using the
Windows threaded CANUSB DLL or ActiveX controller.
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Can handle up to 1Mbit/s CAN
bit rate
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Philips SJA1000 CAN
Controller running at 16Mhz
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Philips 82C251 CAN
Transceiver (Fully Compatible with ISO 11898-24V)
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Compliant to CAN 2.0A (11bit
ID's) and CAN 2.0B (29bit ID's)
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Supports RTR frames
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Time Stamp option in ms for
incoming frames
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CANbus connection according
to CiA DS102-1 standard
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Power supplied via USB
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Free Interface DLL and
ActiveX controller or low level ASCII Commands via USB driver
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Free Linux driver available
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Green LED for CAN activity
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Red LED for CAN error
activity
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Firmware updatable via USB
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CE Approved
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.canusb.com or
http://www.easysync.co.uk.
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Amontec - JTAGkey |
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Undedicated USB JTAG cable interface for:
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On-Chip Debugging
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In-System Programming
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Boundary-Scan Testing
...created for designers
using GNU tools
Key features include:
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Self-powered from any USB
HUB: < 85mA from USB
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Wide target voltage range
1.4V to 5.0V
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ARM download speed (OpenOCD
via DCC) 125-135kBytes/sec
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Max. JTAG speed 6MHz
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Adopted by the Open On-Chip
Debugger OpenOCD compatible!
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.amontec.com/jtagkey.shtml.
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Fox4You - USB - ATMEGA Board |
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The ATMEGA-128 Chip is connected to the USB interface of
your computer via the USB-Chip (FT2232C). After loading the
driver, you can act directly the USB-ATMEGA-Board via a virtual COM port
(e.g. COM-4, COM-5). For interconnection on the USB-ATMEGA-Board
the UART's are used. The USB interface is totally transparent for
your application. On the PC and on also on the USB-ATMEGA
Controller Board you act as you do normally via a RS-232 connection.
The complete USB-Handling is already done, totally easy...
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Credit Card
Size 85 x 53 mm (33.4" x 20.8")
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Ready-made
module, time to market
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SMD works
are not necessary
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Fast and
inexpensive build up of prototypes will relieve your development
department
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Easily
connected to your PC-Software via VCP or direct to your application
(DLL)
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Handling as
easy as a RS-232 interface (e.g. COM-3, COM-4)
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.fox4you.cc/.
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SoftBaugh - FT232U169 Virtual COM Port Laboratory |
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Based on the FT232BM device, the
SoftBaugh FT232U169 evaluation system
allows you to experiment with the features of the TI MSP430 in
USB-enabled applications.
Key features of the FT232U169
virtual COM port laboratory include:
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MSP430F169 flash processor
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FTDI USB UART interface
using the FT232BM, no driver coding required
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Texas Instruments RS232
interface using the MAX3221
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TPS3619 Battery-Backup
Supervisor allows uninterrupted power switching between USB and
batteries
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One-cell power supply based
on the TPS60310 (3.3V from one AA or AAA battery)
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CR2032 coin cell supply and
optional 3.3V capacitive charge pump
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Optional USB port power
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JTAG header, perfect for
use with our FETP/USBP (not included)
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Bootload header, perfect
for use with our BLMSPF (not included)
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4 yellow user LEDs
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2 user switches
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Large prototyping area
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Every MSP port pin exposed
at IDC headers
In addition, the FT232U169
come with a UART loopback code example for the MSP430. This
project can be compiled using the
IAR Kickstart workbench which is
available for free download from TI.
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.softbaugh.com.
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SoftBaugh - FT245U169 Virtual COM Port Laboratory |
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Based on the FT245BM device, the
SoftBaugh FT245U169 evaluation system
allows you to experiment with the features of the TI MSP430 in
USB-enabled applications.
Key features of the FT245U169 virtual COM port laboratory include:
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MSP430F169 flash processor
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FTDI USB FIFO interface
using the FT245BM, no driver coding required
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Texas Instruments RS232
interface using the MAX3221
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TPS3619 Battery-Backup
Supervisor allows uninterrupted power switching between USB and
batteries
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One-cell power supply based
on the TPS60310 (3.3V from one AA or AAA battery)
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CR2032 coin cell supply and
optional 3.3V capacitive charge pump
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Optional USB port power
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JTAG header, perfect for
use with our FETP/USBP (not included)
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Bootload header, perfect
for use with our BLMSPF (not included)
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4 yellow user LEDs
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2 user switches
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Large prototyping area
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Every MSP port pin exposed
at IDC headers
In addition, the FT245U169
come with a FIFO loopback code example for the MSP430. This
project can be compiled using the
IAR Kickstart workbench which is
available for free download from TI.
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.softbaugh.com.
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Kit8051 - USB to Serial Converter |
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O conversor USB <=> RS232 é uma placa que conecta a saída USB de seu
micro a um equipamento serial RS232, ideal para os novos
microcomputadores onde não vem com Interface serial RS232 e se deseja
conectar a quipamentos com essa interface, funciona em full-duplex (TX e
RX) com 3 LEDs de Status para Ligado ON, TX e RX. Este Conversor
diferentemente dos Conversores Comerciais, funciona de 3 Modos
selecionavel na Placa Conversor por mini-jump:
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Conversor Serial RS232 <=>
USB (saie de fabrica nessa configuração)
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Conversor Serial Nivel TTL
5V <=> USB (ideal para implementação de USB em microcontroladores
8051, PIC, Modulos GPS e etc.)
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Conversor Serial RS232 <=>
Serial Nivel TTL 5V
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.kit8051.com.br.
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Parallax - USB to Serial Adaptor |
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The
Parallax USB2SER device is a mini
development tool based on the FT232BM USB which provides an easy way to
interface a PC to a microcontroller. It bridges the PCs USB port
to logic-level Rx and Tx signals that can connect directly to a
microcontrollers I/O pins. To the PC, the USB2SER appears as a
virtual COM port. To the microcontroller, the USB2SER appears as a
true 3.3V - 5V serial connection consisting of an Rx signal, a Tx signal
and a low-pulsing RESET signal controlled by DTR.
The USB2SER is powered from a
mini-B type USB cable. It has a 4-pin female 0.1in connector that
can be easily plugged and unplugged from a microcontroller circuit.
Red and green LEDs indicate Tx and
Rx activity. Standard Baud rates are supported, as well as custom
rates up to 3M bits per second.
Documentation available for
download includes a complete Bill of Materials, schematics and pictorial
of the USB2SER Adapter.
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.parallax.com.
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Active Robots Ltd. - RF Telemetry Module |
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The FT232BM-based
Active Robots USB Radio Telemetry
module provides the means to implement a versatile RF link for use with
a wide variety of robotics, embedded control and data-logging
applications. The Module is powered via the USB port, therefore no
external power supply or batteries are required.
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.active-robots.com.
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Active Robots Ltd. - Serial Interface Module |
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The
FT232BM-based
Active Robots USB
Serial Interface module provides an easy to use, convenient
communications adaptor for shifting between USB serial protocol and TTL
logic levels. Bi-directional data links can be quickly established
without the need of additional components or further circuit development
thus speeding up application development and prototyping.
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.active-robots.com.
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Apox Controls - CAN Bus Controller |
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USB-CANtastic by Craig
Beiferman and Dale Herman recently won first place in the "Mad Dash for
Flash Cash" contest at
Circuit Cellar. Based on FTDI's
FT245BM USB FIFO together with a MicroChip 18F258 MCU and Philips
TJA1050 CAN transceiver, it is a USB to CAN converter and can be used to
control many industrial field-bus systems (using CANopen or DeviceNET,
etc.). For details of the Circuit Cellar contest entry
click here.
A commercial version of this product is available from the authors
company,
Apox Controls. This board has
lots of uses. Control your next big robotic project, CNC machine,
create coordinated motion controllers, industrial automation, home
automation. For reliable high speed communications to a
microcontroller its hard to beat CAN. For fast easy Plug-and-Play
communication to a PC its hard to beat USB. It's really a great
combination that will get your next project up and running fast.
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.apoxcontrols.com.
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Cavadevices - USB to Serial Converter |
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This module from
Cavadevices functions as a USB to RS232
serial converter. It is powered from the USB port and each of the
RS232 signals is available through a standard RS232 9-pin D-type
conector. For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.cavadevices.com/ |
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Soyter - USB to Serial Converter |
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This module from
Soyter functions as a USB to RS232 serial converter. It is
powered from the USB port and each of the RS232 signals is available on
the 12-pin header along with a 5V pin and a GND pin. For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.soyter.com. |
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High Tech Horizon - EasyTap Control Network |
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The USB EasyTap module from
High Tech Horizon is a generic USB <=> serial converter and
provides a painless way to get your project interfaced to the
otherwise complex USB port on your PC. No need to worry about
writing your own device drivers since they are included. It can
be used in several different ways depending on your needs. By
adding a standard TTL <=> RS232 level converter it works like a high
speed USB <=> RS232 adapter (with or without hardware handshaking) and
you can use it to
interface any legacy RS232 product.
If your need is to interface a MCU (BASIC Stamp, AVR, PIC, SX, 8051,
68HC11 etc.) to the USB
port you can do this directly without using any TTL <=> RS232 level
converter and therefore skip
the added costs (and space) for a level converter.
The third option you have
is to use the integrated EasyTap network to build a multi-master (or
master-slave) control network connecting other network nodes via
twisted pair cable up to
1200m (4000 ft) in a very cost effective way.
For more information and ordering details visit
http://www.hth.com. |
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Kolter Electronics GmbH - USB Converter for Industrial
Applications |
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USB/ICM is
an Industrial Controller prototyping module with a USB interface based
on FTDI's FT8U232AM USB UART IC. There is a generous prototyping
area provided for adding extra hardware and a number of accessories are
also available from the manufacturer.
For more information and ordering details visit
the Kolter Electronics website at
http://www.pci-card.com. |
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Kolter Electronics GmbH - USB to ISA Bus |
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This
interface-card from IPCKolter (Germany) can coordinate and transfer 8 or
16-bit data from USB to ISA-bus using FTDI's FT8U245AM USB FIFO IC.
Designed for use in industrial applications, it can be used to drive a
passive backplane containing ISA legacy cards. IO, MEM and IRQ
function calls are supported by a DLL which would be called from the
developers application software. A VB6 example is provided.
It works under Windows 98 / ME / 2000 and XP. For more information and ordering details visit
the Kolter Electronics website at
http://www.pci-card.com. |
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