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How to connect a device with RS232 connector to a USB port? Just use an RS232-USB converter – check what you need to know about such solutions.
RS232 standard
RS232 is a standard developed back in the 1960s. It was developed in the 1970s and was for a long time the main solution for serial transmission. Its applications ranged from telephony to personal computers, where RS232 ports were mainly used to connect modems and peripherals. Now, cables and connectors of this type have been mostly supplanted by newer solutions, such as Ethernet and USB, which offer, among other things. significantly higher data throughput. Despite this, RS232 is still used in electronics – however, to take advantage of its capabilities, additional accessories such as special converters are often needed.
RS232-USB converter
Standard converter variant RS232-USB allows you to connect devices equipped with an RS232 connector to a computer with a USB port. Its task is to adjust the format of the transmitted data so that it is readable by both the source and target hardware. In the case of the RS232 standard, they are referred to as DTE (“Data Terminal Equipment”) and DCE (“Data Communication Equipment”). The first group includes. computers, while the other includes, for example, modems, mice, keyboards or printers.
It is worth noting that the data transfer speed of the RS232 standard is much slower than over USB connections. The typical limit for RS232 is 20 kilobits per second, while the latest USB variants already support speeds in the tens of gigabits. This is one of the reasons why USB technology has largely displaced the serial transmission standards used previously.
However, the advantage of RS232 is the low deviation from the signal characteristics (jitter), so this type of solution is still used in electronics, despite the low speed of data transmission. Significantly, some of the newer components based on the RS232 standard support much higher transfer rates – even at 2-3 Mbps.
How does the RS232-USB converter work?
Although RS232 connectors are becoming less common in consumer devices, you can still find them, among other things. in specialized equipment, CNC machines or in various hobbyist projects in the field of electronics and robotics. However, you won’t find them in computers or laptops – one reason is the relatively large size of the connector, as well as the greater functionality of USB ports. This makes connecting, for example, some microcontrollers to a computer can be quite a problem, even when you have an RS232-RS232 cable. With help, however, comes an RS232-USB converter, which makes it possible to connect the older and newer standards.
The use of such products is very simple and does not require any prior hardware or additional software. All you have to do is plug the converter into the RS232 connector, and then connect it to the USB port on your computer or laptop. That’s it – from now on, data transmission between the two devices should follow the standards supported by both devices.
Importantly, most such devices create an RS232 serial port from a USB port, not the other way around. In practice, this means that the converter provides a connection between a computer with USB and external equipment with an RS232 input, but does not allow you to connect, for example, a USB mouse or keyboard to an older computer with an RS232 connector.
RS232-USB application
RS232-USB converters can be used for a variety of purposes. These are useful products for people who want to test older equipment and components or use them in electronic projects. Moreover, devices with an RS232 connector can be found, for example, in laboratories. This standard is still an effective option for serial communication between two pieces of equipment, but it will work mainly in situations where data speed is not a priority. Both the RS232-USB converter and the RS232 connector itself can be a suitable choice for applications such as:
- Communication between modules within a single machine,
- communication port to the controller,
- industrial applications,
- robotics,
- medical devices,
- embedded systems.
Interestingly, the RS232 connector can also be found among others. In energy storage for photovoltaics. Many devices also use newer variants of this standard – one of the most popular is RS485, which supports transmission speeds of up to 35 Mbps (up to 10 meters) or up to 100 kbps (up to 1,200 meters). Although the RS232 and RS485 connector usually has the same format, its technical specifications are, however, quite different, so that connecting RS232 and RS485 may also require a converter. Products such as the USB-RS485 converter are also worth looking into.
What to look for when buying an RS232-USB converter?
RS232-USB converter is usually a relatively inexpensive product – its price is usually no more than PLN 20-30. However, the final cost depends on a number of different factors, such as the brand, the length of the cable and the materials used. Nevertheless, in most cases it is not a high amount, so it is not worth looking for savings by force: buying a good converter will ensure a stable connection, comfortable use of the equipment and long cable life.
Before buying, check, among other things. The version of the USB standard on which the converter in question operates. While the various editions of USB are mostly compatible with each other, the generation of the standard can affect data transfer speeds. Another important parameter is the length of the cable, which is quite important for the convenience of use. For this, it is worth noting the operating voltage of the connector, which will allow you to match the other components of the circuit.
Converters and other accessories in the Botland store
Where to buy RS232-USB converter? Welcome to the store Botland – our offer includes various USB-UART adapters and converters, compatible with standards such as RS232 or RS485. The assortment of our store also includes many other converters and accessories that can provide completely new possibilities when working with electronics.
