Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled

This deluxe serial port adapter (RS-232 adapter) converts logic-level signals to the higher voltages required for RS-232 and similar serial ports. Unlike competing units, the Pololu serial adapter operates over a 3-5.5 V supply range and gives you access to all eight of the signal lines available on a DB9 connector, including five transmit lines and three receive lines.

Note: We have heard of several instances of customers destroying these adapters when using them to recover bricked hard drives. This device is susceptible to damage from destructive LC voltage spikes that can arise when using this adapter with long (more than a few inches) power leads that are typical when powering this from a PC power supply connected to additional jumper wires, so we recommend placing a large electrolytic cap (at least 100 uF) across VCC and GND very close to the board in that kind of application.

Overview

If you want to access all of the features on your computer's serial port, this serial adapter is for you. The adapter allows you to connect your 3-5.5 V logic circuits to a COM port, which operates on higher and negative voltages (EIA-232, similar to the older RS-232 standard). The adapter is available fully assembled with male header pins facing down for use with prototyping boards and breadboards, or as a partial kit as shown to the right. The partial kit offers more flexibility if you do not need all of the header pins or if you want to install them on the other side of the board (or not at all).

This adapter distinguishes itself from most competing units through its five drivers and three receivers, which give you access to all eight signal lines on a DB9 connector (the ninth pin is ground). This means that in addition to standard serial communication, your project can also use all of the handshaking lines and status lines. Even if you do not use them for their intended purposes, you might find it convenient to be able to reset your processor using one of the extra lines. A connection detection line gives your project additional options for responding to a physical connection to a serial port. All of this connectivity comes in a compact package that is less than twice the size of the DB9 connector alone.

The first nine pins on the deluxe serial adapter correspond to the same nine pins on a COM port DB9 connector. The additional pins are the logic supply voltage, the serial connection detection pin, and an inverted version of the transmit line (which can be useful if, for instance, you have a positive-edge triggered interrupt that you want to fire in response to the beginning of the start bit). The TX line and RX lines are labeled from the computer's perspective, so the TX pin has data transmitted by the computer that should be connected to your project's receive input.

Device specifications

• PCB size: 1.30" x 1.22" including connector
• Serial standards: TIA/EIA-232-F and ITU v.28
• # of drivers: 5
• # of receivers: 3
• Connector: DB9 female
• Data I/O voltage levels: 3 - 5.5 V
• Maximum data rate: 250 kbps
• Supply current: 2 mA

Module pinout

Pin	Type	Function
DCD	In	"Data carrier detect"
RX	In	Asynchronous serial data receive
TX	Out	Asynchronous serial data transmit (idle high)
DTR	Out	"Data terminal ready" control output (often used with DSR)
GND	Power	Ground
DSR	In	"Data set ready" control input (often used with DTR)
RTS	Out	"Ready to send" control output (often used with CTS)
CTS	In	"Clear to send" control input (often used with RTS)
RI	In	"Ring indicator" control input
VCC	Power	Logic supply voltage (3 - 5.5 V, externally supplied)
INV	Out	Serial port detection pin, high if serial port connected
TX	Out	Asynchronous serial data transmit, inverted (idle low)