Gearmo USA-FTDI4X

Gearmo 4 Port USB to Serial RS232 Adapter (Model USA-FTDI4X) Instruction Manual

Marca: Gearmo | Model: USA-FTDI4X

1. Introducció

The Gearmo 4 Port USB to Serial RS232 Adapter is designed to connect multiple legacy DB-9 serial devices to modern USB-equipped computers. This adapter utilizes a high-performance FTDI chipset, ensuring reliable data transfer and broad operating system compatibility. It is suitable for various applications, including POS systems, barcode scanners, industrial controls, and digital signage.

Gearmo 4 Port USB to Serial RS232 Adapter showing the central hub and four serial cables

Figura 1: Mésview of the Gearmo 4 Port USB to Serial RS232 Adapter.

2. Característiques clau

  • 4-Port RS232 Connectivity: Easily adds four standard serial ports to your desktop or laptop.
  • FTDI Chipset: Utilizes a high-performance FTDI chipset for stable and reliable communication.
  • ESD and Surge Protection: Built-in protection against static electricity and surges up to 15kV ensures reliable data transfers and protects connected equipment.
  • Instal·lació Plug-and-Play: USB interface allows for easy installation without requiring IRQ, DMA, or I/O port resources.
  • COM Port Retention: Automatically re-assigns the same COM port value if the adapter is disconnected and reconnected to the host computer.
  • Àmplia compatibilitat amb SO: Supports Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, Linux, and macOS 10.X.
  • Indicadors LED: Power (PWR), Receive Data (RXD), and Transmit Data (TXD) LEDs for activity monitoring.
Close-up of the four DB9 serial connectors and the central hub of the adapter

Figure 2: Detail of the four DB9 serial connectors.

Close-up of the adapter's central hub labeled 'Data Communications Interface Converter' with the USB connector

Figure 3: The adapter's central unit, highlighting its data communication and protection features.

3. Escenaris d'ús

This adapter is ideal for connecting a wide range of serial devices to modern computer systems. Common applications include:

  • Impressores
  • Escàners
  • Mòdems
  • Màquines CNC
  • Controladors PLC
  • Càmeres digitals
  • GPS and PDA Devices
  • Other legacy serial equipment with DB9 female connectors
Diagram illustrating various devices like printers, scanners, modems, PLC controllers, and CNC machines connecting to the serial adapter

Figura 4: Examples of serial devices compatible with the adapter.

4. Configuració i instal·lació

4.1 Connexió de l'adaptador

  1. Connect the DB9 male connectors of the Gearmo adapter to the DB9 female serial ports on your peripheral devices.
  2. Plug the USB Type-A connector of the adapter into an available USB port on your computer (desktop, laptop, or other mobile device).
A hand plugging the USB connector of the adapter into a laptop's USB port, with operating system logos for Windows, Mac, and Linux

Figure 5: Connecting the USB adapter to a computer.

The Gearmo 4 Port USB to Serial RS232 Adapter connected to a laptop, showing the spread of the four serial cables

Figure 6: The adapter fully connected to a laptop, ready for use.

4.2 Instal·lació del controlador

The Gearmo USA-FTDI4X adapter is designed for plug-and-play operation on most modern operating systems (Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, Linux, macOS 10.X). In most cases, drivers will install automatically upon connection.

If automatic installation does not occur or if you are using an older operating system, a driver disc is included with the product. You may also download the latest drivers from the official Gearmo weblloc.

Video 1: An official product video demonstrating the features and connectivity of the 4-Port USB 2.0 RS-232 FTDI Serial Adapter.

5. Instruccions de funcionament

5.1 COM Port Retention

The adapter features COM port retention, meaning that once a COM port is assigned to a serial device, it will retain that assignment even if the adapter is disconnected and reconnected, or if the computer is restarted. This ensures consistent configuration for your serial applications.

5.2 Indicadors LED

The central hub of the adapter includes LED indicators to monitor activity:

  • PWR (potència): Indicates that the adapter is receiving power from the USB port.
  • RXD (Receive Data): Flashes when data is being received by the adapter from a connected serial device.
  • TXD (Transmit Data): Flashes when data is being transmitted by the adapter to a connected serial device.

These LEDs allow for easy monitoring of data flow and can assist in troubleshooting connection issues.

6. Especificacions

CaracterísticaDetall
Número de modelUSA-FTDI4X
Tipus de connectorUSB Type A (Host), DB9 Male w/ Screws (Device)
Nombre de Ports4 x RS232 Serial
ChipsetFTDI (FT4232)
Longitud del cable3 feet (approx. 0.91 meters) for each serial cable, 1 foot (approx. 0.3 meters) for USB cable
Velocitats de transmissióUp to 921.600 Bps
Buffer de dadesDual 16-byte hardware data buffer (up/down stream)
Suport del sistema operatiuWindows 7, 8, 10, 11, Linux, macOS 10.X (also older Windows versions)
ProteccióESD and Surge Protection up to 15kV
Font d'alimentacióUSB Powered (no external power required)
Dimensions del producte36 x 1.5 x 0.5 polzades (aprox. 91.4 x 3.8 x 1.3 cm)
Pes de l'article6.2 unces (aproximadament 175.8 grams)

6.1 RS-232 Pin-Out Diagram

Diagram showing the 9-pin RS-232 connector pin-out with corresponding signal names

Figure 7: Standard RS-232 DB9 Pin-Out.

7. Manteniment

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Gearmo USB to Serial Adapter, follow these general maintenance guidelines:

  • Keep the adapter and cables clean and free from dust. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.
  • Eviteu exposar l'adaptador a temperatures extremes, humitat o llum solar directa.
  • Do not bend or crimp the cables excessively, as this can damage internal wiring.
  • Guardeu l'adaptador en un lloc segur quan no l'utilitzeu per evitar danys físics.

8. Solució De Problemes

If you encounter issues with your Gearmo USB to Serial Adapter, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

  • No s'ha detectat cap dispositiu: Ensure the USB connector is fully inserted into your computer's USB port. Try a different USB port or a different computer to rule out port issues.
  • Problemes del controlador: Verify that the correct drivers are installed. Check your operating system's Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS/Linux) for the adapter and its driver status. Reinstall drivers if necessary.
  • Errors de comunicació: Check all serial cable connections to your peripheral devices. Ensure the baud rate and other serial port settings in your application match those of the connected device. Monitor the RXD and TXD LEDs on the adapter for data activity.
  • Conflictes de ports COM: While the adapter supports COM port retention, conflicts can sometimes arise with other virtual COM ports. In Device Manager, you can manually change the assigned COM port number if needed.
  • Connexió intermitent: Ensure cables are not damaged and connections are secure. Avoid using excessively long USB extension cables, which can sometimes lead to signal degradation.

9. Informació de la garantia

For detailed warranty information regarding your Gearmo 4 Port USB to Serial RS232 Adapter, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official Gearmo weblloc. Els termes i condicions de la garantia poden variar.

10. Suport

Gearmo provides engineering support for its products. If you require technical assistance, CAD files, mechanical drawings, or datasheets for integration or project needs, please contact Gearmo customer support through their official weblloc web o la informació de contacte proporcionada amb la documentació del producte.

Per obtenir recursos addicionals i actualitzacions de productes, visiteu Gearmo Store on Amazon.

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