UK-based FTDI is a specialist in converting legacy peripherals to Universal Serial Bus (USB), offering the easiest route to USB migration by combining USB-Serial (USB-RS232) and USB-FIFO silicon solutions with their ready-to-go royalty free USB drivers.  FTDI's widely popular USB conversion solutions offer reduced development and debug costs and a fast time to market. The FT232R and FT245R are the latest additions to its growing range of USB toUART and USB to FIFO conversion solutions.

FTDI is also pleased to announce the release of the Vinculum family of embedded USB Host Controller devices.  The Vinculum USB Host Controller ICs not only handle the USB Host Interface and data transfer functions, but owing to the inbuilt 8/32-bit MCU and embedded Flash memory, Vinculum encapsulates the USB device classes as well.  When interfacing to mass storage devices such as USB Flash drives, Vinculum also transparently handles the FAT file structure communicating via UART, SPI or parallel FIFO interfaces via a simple to implement command set. The initial product member of the family is the VNC1L device, featuring two USB Ports which can be individually configured by firmware as Host or Slave ports.

20.04.2010 - FTDI’s New Vinculum VNC2 Dual USB 2.0 Host/Slave SOC Now User Programmable and at Reduced Cost  more
27.05.2009 - Vinculum VNC1L USB Host Controller Makes USB Designs Easy  more
09.03.2009 - FTDI Releases USB-RS485, USB-RS422 and USB-COM232-PLUS1 Converter Cables and PCB Modules  more
10.12.2008 - FTDI Releases Single Chip Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Solutions to Ease Serial and Parallel Interfacing  more
05.08.2008 - USB Security Dongle Ideal for Providing Application Software and Physical System Access  more
05.08.2008 - Vinculum USB Host Controller Programmer aids Flash ROM programming  more
02.05.2008 - FTDI Introduces USB to USB Null Modem Serial Converter Cable  more
04.03.2008 - FTDI Introduces V-Eval Development Board for Vinculum USB Host Controller Designs  more
30.11.2007 - USB Security Dongle for Application Software Now Available from FTDI  more
01.08.2007 - New Vinculum VDIP2 USB Host Evaluation Module from FTDI   more
02.05.2007 - FTDI Announces VDRIVE2 and VMUSIC2 Vinculum USB Host Controller Development Modules    more
21.12.2006 - FTDI Announces Vinculum VDRIVE1 Module for USB Host Controller Designs   more
23.11.2006 - FTDI Releases VDIP1 Module for Easier Vinculum USB Host Controller Prototyping   more
08.09.2006 - FTDI Announces Vinculum Embedded USB Host Controller    more
04.07.2006 - USB Conversion Chip Manufacturer FTDI Appoints Glyn as its OEM Distributor for Australia, New Zealand    more

The FT2232H is FTDI’s 5th generation of USB devices.  The FT2232H is a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (480Mb/s) to UART/FIFO IC.  It has the capability of being configured in a variety of industry standard serial or parallel interfaces.

Building on the innovative features of the FT2232, the FT2232H has two multi-protocol synchronous serial engines (MPSSEs) which allow for communication using JTAG, I2C and SPI on two channels simultaneously.

The FT2232H is available in Pb-free (RoHS compliant) 64-pin LQFP and QFN packages.

To find out more about the FT2232H, click here.

The FT4232H is FTDI’s 5th generation of USB devices.  The FT4232H is a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (480Mb/s) to UART IC.  It has the capability of being configured in a variety of industry standard serial or parallel interfaces.

Building on the innovative features of the FT2232, the FT4232H has two multi-protocol synchronous serial engines (MPSSEs) which allow for communication using JTAG, I2C and SPI on two channels simultaneously.

The FT4232H is available in Pb-free (RoHS compliant) 64-pin LQFP and QFN packages.

To find out more about the FT4232H, click here.

The FT232R is the latest device to be added to FTDI’s range of USB UART interface Integrated Circuit Devices. The FT232R is a USB to serial UART interface with optional clock generator output, and the new FTDIChip-ID™ security dongle feature. In addition, asynchronous and synchronous bit bang interface modes are available. USB to serial designs using the FT232R have been further simplified by fully integrating the external EEPROM, clock circuit and USB resistors onto the device.

The FT232R adds two new functions compared with its predecessors, effectively making it a "3-in-1" chip for some application areas. The internally generated clock (6MHz, 12MHz, 24MHz, and 48MHz) can be brought out of the device and used to drive a microcontroller or external logic. A unique number (the FTDIChip-ID™) is burnt into the device during manufacture and is readable over USB, thus forming the basis of a security dongle which can be used to protect customer application software from being copied.

The FT232R is available in Pb-free (RoHS compliant) compact 28-Lead SSOP and QFN-32 packages.

To find out more about the FT232R, click here.

The FT245R is the latest device to be added to FTDI’s range of USB FIFO interface Integrated Circuit Devices.  The FT245R is a USB to parallel FIFO interface, with the new FTDIChip-ID™ security dongle feature.  In addition, asynchronous and synchronous bit bang interface modes are available. USB to parallel designs using the FT245R have been further simplified by fully integrating the external EEPROM, clock circuit and USB resistors onto the device.

The FT245R adds a new function compared with its predecessors, effectively making it a "2-in-1" chip for some application areas.  A unique number (the FTDIChip-ID™) is burnt into the device during manufacture and is readable over USB, thus forming the basis of a security dongle which can be used to protect customer application software from being copied.

The FT245R is available in Pb-free (RoHS compliant) compact 28-Lead SSOP and QFN-32 packages.

To find out more about the FT245R, click here.

The FT2232D is the 3rd generation of FTDI's popular USB UART/FIFO IC family.  This device features two multi-purpose UART/FIFO controllers which can be configured individually in several different modes.  As well as a UART interface, a FIFO interface and the Bit-Bang IO mode of the 2nd generation FT232BM and FT245BM devices, the FT2232D offers a variety of additional new modes of operation including a Multi-Protocol Synchronous Serial Engine (MPSSE) interface which is designed specifically for synchronous serial protocols such as I2C, JTAG and SPI bus.

To find out more about the FT2232D, click here.

The FT232BM is the 2nd generation of FTDI's popular USB UART device and the FT232BL is a lead free version of it.  This device not only adds extra functionality to its predecessor (FT8U232AM) and reduces external component count, but also maintains a high degree of pin compatibility with the original making it easy to upgrade or cost reduce existing designs as well as increasing the potential for using this device in new application areas.

The FT232BQ provides the same functionality as the FT232BM and FT232BL in a QFN-32 lead free package.

To find out more about the FT232BM, FT232BL and FT232BQ, click here.

For new designs, FT232RL or FT232RQ is recommended.

The FT245BM is the 2nd generation of FTDI's popular USB FIFO device and the FT245BL is a lead free version of it.  This device not only adds extra functionality to its predecessor (FT8U245AM) and reduces external component count, but also maintains a high degree of pin compatibility with the original making it easy to upgrade or cost reduce existing designs as well as increasing the potential for using this device in new application areas.

The FT245BQ provides the same functionality as the FT245BM and FT245BL in a QFN-32 lead free package.

To find out more about the FT245BM, FT245BL and FT245BQ, click here.

For new designs, FT245RL or FT245RQ is recommended.

• VN1CL-1A - USB Host Controller IC (Lead free)
  

The Vinculum USB Host Controller ICs not only handle the USB Host Interface and data transfer functions, but owing to the inbuilt 8/32 bit MCU and embedded Flash memory, Vinculum encapsulates the USB device classes as well.  When interfacing to mass storage devices such as USB Flash drives, Vinculum also transparently handles the FAT File structure communicating via UART, SPI or parallel FIFO interfaces via a simple to implement command set.

To find out more about the VNC1L, click here.

The Vinculum Firmware User Manual can be found on the FTDI Vinculum Documents page. This includes explanations of the application and capabilities of each build of firmware.  VDAP Firmware is installed on all new VDRIVE and VDIP modules by default and will typically be the version applicable to most applications.  VMUSIC modules require VMSC1 Firmware.  To utilise VDPS Firmware external hardware is required for VDIP modules.
 

VDIP Modules make prototyping Vinculum designs a snap.

The VDIP modules are MCU to USB host controller development modules for the VNC1L device. 

VDIP1 is supplied on a PCB designed to fit a 24-pin DIP socket and provides access to all UART, SPI and FIFO interface pins of the VNC1L device.

The VDIP2 is supplied on a PCB designed to fit into a 40 pin DIP socket, and provides access to the UART, parallel FIFO, and SPI interface pins on the VNC1L device, via its AD and AC bus pins. All other Vinculum I/O pins are also accessible.

Ideal for rapid prototyping and development of VNC1L designs, an attractive quantity discount structure also makes this module suitable for incorporation into low/medium volume finished product designs.

VDIP1

VDIP2

VDIP2 Module

Key VDIP2 features include: ► Two vertically mounted USB "A" type sockets to interface with USB peripheral devices ► Uses FTDI's VNC1L device ► Jumper selectable UART, parallel FIFO or SPI MCU interfaces ► Single 5V supply input ► Auxiliary 3.3V/200mA power output to external logic ► Power and traffic indicator LEDs ► Program or update firmware via USB Flash disk or or via UART interface ► VNC1L firmware programming control pins PROG# and RESET# brought out onto jumper interface ► VDIP2 is a Pb-free, RoHS complaint development module ► VDIP2 module is supplied pre-loaded with Vinculum VDAP firmware ► For More Details Click Here ◄

VDRIVE2 - easily add USB Flash Drive interface to products.

VDRIVE2 is possibly the easiest solution for adding a USB Flash drive interface to existing products.  Only four signal lines plus 5V/GND require to be connected.  Using the VDAP firmware, the interface can be selected between UART or SPI modes using the on-board jumpers.  VDRIVE is ideal for use in commercial products such as domestic goods, set top box, etc. as well as industrial products such as data loggers, software upgradeable products, etc.

VDRIVE2 Interface Module

Key VDRIVE2 features include: ► Uses FTDI's VNC1L embedded USB host controller IC device ► One USB "A" socket to connect to USB Flash disk ► Traffic indicator LED ► 2mm (0.08") pitch 8-pin connector ► 8-way header interconnect cable provided ► Only 4 signals to connect excluding PWR/GND ► Jumper selectable UART or SPI interface ► Single 5V supply input ► Uses VDAP firmware and command set ► Enclosure with snap in place clips allows for easy front panel mounting ► Program or update firmware via USB Flash disk or UART interface ► VNC1L firmware programming control pins PROG# and RESET# brought out onto internal jumper interface ► VDRIVE2 is a Pb-free, RoHS compliant development module ► A PCB only version is available for larger volume OEM customers ► For More Details Click Here ◄

VMUSIC Module - easily add USB Flash Drive interface and Audio Playback to products.

VMUSIC is a product that not only lets you add USB Flash drive interfacing to your product but allows you to play back MP3 and other popular digital music formats direct from a USB Flash drive.  Extensions to the VDAP command set (VMSC1) allow you to play a selected file as well as control the volume, balance, etc. of the sound channel and monitor the status of the file being played.  VMUSIC is ideal for adding MP3 playback from USB drive capability to home entertainment and in-car audio systems, as well as other appliances requiring audio playback capability from USB Flash drives.

VMUSIC2

VMUSIC2 Interface Module

Key VMUSIC2 features include: ► Uses FTDI's VNC1L device coupled with VLSI VS1003 IC for music playback ► One USB "A" socket to connect to USB Flash drive ► Audio line-out connector for audio playback ► Stereo 3.5mm headphone jack socket and audio line-out connector for audio playback ► Only 4 signals to connect excluding PWR/GND ► Jumper selectable UART or SPI interface ► 2mm (0.0.8") pitch 8-pin connector ► Single 5V supply input ► Traffic indicator LED ► Uses extended VDAP command set (VMSC1) ► Program or update firmware via USB Flash disk or via UART interface ► VNC1L firmware programming control pins PROG# and RESET# brought out onto internal jumper interface ► VMUSIC2 is a Pb-free, RoHS compliant development module ► A PCB only version is available for larger volume OEM customers ► For More Details Click Here ◄

VF2F - back up Digital cameras to USB Flash Drives.

VF2F is a reference design for a VNC1L based stand-alone application.  VF2F illustrates how to construct a file back up device for a Digital Camera with a USB Mass Storage Class interface.  At the push of a button, all the picture files on the camera are copied to a unique folder of a USB Flash drive so that the digital camera memory can be re-used to take further pictures.  This is an ideal accessory for digital camera users who wish to backup their photos on the road without having to carry a notebook PC, or for people who want to share or swap their photos without requiring a card reader.  VF2F is powered by two AAA size alkaline batteries.

VF2F

VF2F Reference Design

Key VF2F features include : ► Two USB "A" sockets connect to Digital Camera and USB Flash Drive respectively ► Uses FTDI's VNC1L device ► Single button file backup function ► Intelligent LEDs illustrate successful drive enumeration,file copy function and error conditions. ► Onboard DC-DC converter supplies the circuitry with 5V and 3.3V power from 2 x AAA cells ► Schematics, firmware  and PCB Gerber files available for download ► Assembled/Tested PCB available for evaluation ► For More Details Click Here ◄