ASIX UCAB232i User manual

UCAB232i
USB-RS232 Converter with Galvanic Isolation
User Guide

ASIX s.r.o.
Staropramenna 4
150 00 Prague
Czech Republic
www.asi .net
support asi .net@
sales asi .net@
User Guide revision: 2013-05-03
This paper can be changed by ASIX s.r.o. at any time.
You can find the recent version on our website.
No liability for consequential damages. In no event shall ASIX s.r.o. be
liable to you for any consequential, special, incidental, or indirect
damages of any kind arising out of use of the product.

Content
1 UCAB232i ......................................................................... 4
1.1 Package Contents 4
1.2 Features 4
1.3 Quick Start 5
1.3.1 Windows 5
1.3.2 Linu 5
1.4 How to use the UCAB232i converter 5
1.4.1 RS232 interface 5
1.4.1.1 Data rate 6
1.4.2 LED indicators 6
1.4.3 Standby 6
1.4.4 Galvanic isolation 6
1.4.5 Resistance to e ternal influences 6
1.4.6 Compact enclosure 7
1.5 echnical Specification 7
1.5.1 Absolute Ma imum Ratings 7
1.5.2 Operating Range 8
1.5.3 Certificates 8
2 DRIVERS .......................................................................... 9
2.1 Drivers Installation 9
2.1.1 Windows operation system 9
2.1.1.1 indows XP 9
2.1.1.2 indows 7 9
2.1.2 Linu operation system 9
2.2 Drivers Update 10
2.2.1.1 indows XP 10
2.2.1.2 indows 7 10
2.3 roubleshooting and Special Requirements 10
2.3.1.1 High demands on time response 10
2.4 User OEM Application 11
List of Figures
Fig. 1: DB9, pins 5
Fig. 2: CE certificate 8
Fig. 3: Drivers Installation 9
Fig. 4: COM port Enhanced Settings 11
List of Tables
TB. 1: RS232 signals description 6
TB. 2: Absolute Ma imum Ratings 7
TB. 3: Operating Range 8
TB. 4: List of certificates 8

1
UCAB232i
Thank you for buying our product. If you have any
question, please do not hesitate to contact our technical
support.
1.1 Package
Contents
✔UCAB232i Converter
✔CD-ROM with Drivers and User Guide
✔Leaflet
1.2 Features
UCAB232i is a completely galvanically isolated
USB to RS232 converter suitable for connection vast
majority of both industrial and commercial RS232
devices to PC using USB port.
✔Full RS232 implementation
✔Inputs with improved immunity to interference
suitable for industrial applications
✔High communication speed
✔250 kBaud guaranteed
✔more than 500 kBaud typically
✔Unrivalled galvanic isolation
✔5000 V DC / 1 sec.
✔2600 V AC / 1 min.
✔560 V RMS / no limit
✔Enhanced ESD protection of all inputs
✔±15 kV air discharge HBM
✔±8 kV contact discharge HBM
✔E tended temperature range -40 °C to +85 °C
✔Enhanced durability to environmental influences
✔USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbps)
✔LED indication for transmission and reception
✔Drivers for Linu and Windows
✔for OEM application, proprietary ID can be
used
✔Small and compact enclosure
Page 4 1 UCAB232i -> 1.2 Features

1.3 Quick Start
It is necessary to install drivers before first use.
1.3.1 Windows
Please insert USB plug connector of your UCAB232i
converter into PC USB port.
When a new device has been detected by operating
system and it is asking for a driver, select option „Install
the driver from specific location” and navigate to the
folder containing the driver (available on the enclosed
CD-ROM).
When the driver has been installed a new device is
detected again – for now, it is a virtual COM port.
Please repeat the installation process described above
once more.
After that, your UCAB232i converter is ready for use.
1.3.2 Linux
LINUX kernel 2.6.31 or newer includes required drivers
and there is no need to install them.
1.4 How to use
the UCAB232i
converter
UCAB232i provides user with a galvanically isolated
RS232 port on PC equipped with a USB port.
It is designed for using with all ordinary devices with
RS232 port such as PC mouse, data modem, data
terminal, Smart-Card reader, serial printer. With regard to
top quality galvanic isolation, the UCAB232i converter is
dedicated for high demanding industry or automotive
applications.
1.4.1 RS232 interface
UCAB232i provides all RS232
signals.
The description of RS232
signals is given bellow in table
TB. 1.
Page 5 1 UCAB232i -> 1.4 How to use the UCAB232i converter
Fig. 1: DB9, pins

Pin Name I/O Description
1 DCD IN Data Carrier Detect
2 RD IN Receive Data
3 TD OUT Transmit Data
4 DTR OUT Data Terminal Ready
5 SG P R Signal Ground
6 DSR IN Data Set Ready
7 RTS OUT Request to Send
8 CTS IN Clear to Send
9 RI IN Ring Indicator
TB. 1: RS232 signals description
1.4.1.1 Data rate
The guaranteed data rate is within the range of
300 Baud to 250 kBaud.
With regard to very high speed optocouplers,
the UCAB232i converter allows to communicate typically
over 500 kBaud. However, this data rate is not
guaranteed and could depend on temperature and an
e ternal signal quality.
1.4.2 LED indicators
UCAB232i is equipped with two LED indicators.
Red LED: data are being sent from PC to a RS-232
connected device
Green LED: data are being sent from a RS-232
connected device to PC
1.4.3 Standby
The UCAB232i converter fully supports PC standby
mode (sleep).
1.4.4 Galvanic isolation
The UCAB232i converter provides unrivalled galvanic
isolation which protects PC from an application voltage
within of these limits
►5000 V DC for period ma . 1 sec.
►2600 V AC for period ma . 1 min.
►560 V RMS without any time limits
Although, technically, the UCAB232i converter assures
galvanic isolation within of limits listed above it does not
comply requirements in terms of safety separation
according to EN 60730-1 standard. ASIX s.r.o. is not
liable for any damage caused due to any inappropriate
use.
1.4.5 Resistance to external
influences
UCAB232i is designed and produced with regard to
ma imum resistance to e ternal influences.
Page 6 1 UCAB232i -> 1.4 How to use the UCAB232i converter
Warnings
UCAB232i does not comply
requirements in terms of safety
separation.

The operating temperature range is between -40 °C to
+85 °C. Very low temperatures can cause a rigidity of
the USB cable, in this case handle with care. For
improving characteristics, special covering passivation
has been applied to PCB of your UCAB232i converter.
1.4.6 Compact enclosure
Compact design of the UCAB232i converter enclosure
with 1 meter cable is most suitable for connection to
any RS232 device.
USB232i is supplied without screwlocks on DB9
connector because some applications do not support
them. On special request it is possible to supply
the USB232i converter with screwlocks included.
1.5 Technical
Speci ication
1.5.1 Absolute Maximum
Ratings
Operating temperature min. -40 °C max. +85 °C
Storage temperature min. -55 °C max. +125 °C
Active USB current max. 100 mA
All input voltages to signal
ground
max. ± 25 V
All output voltages to signal
ground
max. ± 13 V
USB to RS232 isolation 5 kV DC / 1 sec.
2.6 kV AC / 1 min.
560 V RMS / no limit
ESD immunit ± 8 kV contact HBM
± 15 kV air HBM
Electric Field Immunit 10 V/m
TB. 2: Absolute Ma imum Ratings
Page 7 1 UCAB232i -> 1.5 Technical Specification

1.5.2 Operating Range
Minimum data rate 300 Baud
Maximum data rate 250 kBaud guaranteed
500 kBaud typically
Input Treshold Low RS232 min. 0.8 V
typ. 1.5 V
Input Treshold High RS232 max. 2.4 V
typ. 1.8 V
Output voltage Swing1min. ± 5 V
typ. ± 5.4 V
Short-circuit tolerance No limit
Short-circuit current maximum ± 60 mA
Operating s stem indows2 32/ 64-bit
Linux 1.5.0 32/64-bit
MAC OS 10 32/64-bit
indows CE3
RS232 full implementation
RS232 connector DB9
USB 1.1 a 2.0 compatibilit yes, 12 Mbps (Full Speed)
USB connector A type
Length of USB cable 1 m
Transmit indicator red LED
Receive indicator green LED
1 Outputs Loaded with 3 kΩ.
2 indows XP, indows Server 2003, indows Vista, indows Server 2008, indows 7,
indows 8, indows Server 2008 R2
3 indows Mobile 2003, indows Mobile 2003 SE, indows Mobile 5, indows Mobile 6,
indows Mobile 6.1 , indows Mobile 6.5
TB. 3: Operating Range
1.5.3 Certificates
CE EN 55022 ed.3:2011
EN 55024 ed.3:2011
Immunit EN61000-4-2, class B
EN61000-4-3, class A 10 V/m
EN61000-4-8, class A
EN55024, class A
TB. 4: List of certificates
Page 8 1 UCAB232i -> 1.5 Technical Specification
Fig. 2: CE certificate

2
DRIVERS
In this chapter, we will discuss drivers installation,
drivers updating and specific COM port setting
requirements.
2.1 Drivers
Installation
2.1.1 Windows operation
system
2.1.1.1 Windows XP
Drivers can be installed from enclosed CD-ROM.
When the UCAB232i converter has been inserted into
USB port, operating system will detect it as a new
hardware. Choose automatic installation (recommended).
When have asked for drivers path, check „Search
CD-ROM“, drivers will be found automatically. If there is
any trouble with finding the drivers, you can select
the option „Install the driver from specific location” and
navigate to the folder containing the driver manually:
[CD]:\drivers\FTDI_UCAB232_UMPx_UMSx\Windows_2K_XP_ ista_7
When the drivers has been installed a new device is
detected again – for now, it is a virtual COM port.
Please repeat installation process written above once
more.
After that, your UCAB232i converter is ready for use.
2.1.1.2 Windows 7
With Windows 7 operation system drivers are installed
automatically from Microsoft update server every time
the UCAB232i converter has been inserted into USB
port. The successful installation is indicated by a
message.
2.1.2 Linux operation system
LINUX kernel 2.6.31 or newer includes required drivers
and there is no need to install them. If you use
operation system based on that kernel, the UCAB232i
converter will simply start to work when it has been
inserted into USB port.
Page 9 2 DRIVERS -> 2.1 Drivers Installation
Fig. 3: Drivers Installation

2.2 Drivers Update
UCAB232i is based on FTDI IC, FTDI Chip company
(www.ftdichip.com) steadily updates drivers for their ICs.
To keep your drivers updated follow this chapter.
2.2.1.1 Windows XP
Windows XP drivers are stable for a long time, thus
there is usually no reason for update them with the
e ception that another software application using FTDI
IC on the same PC requires it. In that case, drivers are
available on the enclosed CD-ROM or for download at
www.ftdichip.com
2.2.1.2 Windows 7
Signed drivers are automatically downloaded from
Microsoft update server when the UCAB232i converter
has been inserted into USB port. Every time operation
system is being updated, drivers are kept updated, too.
Another way how to update drivers in Windows 7 is
very complicated or rather impossible.
2.3 Troubleshooting
and Special
Requirements
Some of applications have special requirements for
RS232 communication, which demand particular correct
settings of the UCAB232i converter.
If there is any difficulty in communication between the
RS-232 connected device and PC try options listed
below.
Red LED indicates transmitting, it can serve as
a check on that software application sends data to a
correct PC port. In other case, please check the COM
port number in software application and the assigned
COM port number by operating system.
The COM port number can be found and/or changed in
Control Panel/Device Manager/Ports.
If the RS-232 connected device does not reply (LED
indicator does not blink) although software application
sends data, it is possible that there is not correctly set
„Baud rate“ (communication speed), „Data bits“, „Parity“,
„Stop bits“ or „Flow control“. Please check that the
settings meets specification of the RS-232 connected
device.
2.3.1.1 High demands on time
response
If the connected device replies (LED indicator blinks)
but software application still does not receive data it is
Page 10 2 DRIVERS -> 2.3 Troubleshooting and Special Requirements

possible that the software application has high demands
on time response.
The way of communication through USB is very different
than communication through RS232. USB uses packets
of 64 B size. Furthermore, a RS-232 device device can
receive only on PC request. Hence it is almost
impossible to assure time response lower than about
1 ms.
Time response settings can be done in
Control Panel/Device/Manager/Ports/.../Port Settings/
/Latency Timer. In case of troubles set this number to
1 ms.
2.4 User OEM
Application
The UCAB232i converter allows user to design an OEM
application after which the converter is found and listed
as a customer hardware.
For doing this, it is necessary to modify drivers,
particularly, to change the UCAB232i converter VID and
PID, which are originally set to 0403 / 6001, to customer
numbers and write these numbers with the MPROG
utility to the converter EEPROM.
Before a modification of EEPROM it is advisable to
create a backup of EEPROM in case there is any
trouble with VID/PID identifiers.
Page 11 2 DRIVERS -> 2.4 User OEM Application
Fig. 4: COM port Enhanced Settings