Choose the IC that leading manufacturers (Kensington, Belkin, Meade, etc.) use – Prolific! Like its name says, it’s in such widespread use (‘prolific!’) you probably already own several products with “Prolific-inside”! And why do these manufacturers choose Prolific? Simply put – it’s the lowest cost, most reliable and versatile USB-to-serial solution available, leading the pack before other copycats came along.

PL-2303XA IC – USB2.0-to-Serial Bridge Controller with Advanced Features
  • USB 2.0 Full Speed
  • Automatic Hardware flow control with CTS/RTS
  • Programmable Baud rate from 75bps to 6Mbps
  • Compatible drivers already in-chip OTP - no need for external EEPROM
  • Uses external clock generator
  • Lead-free 28pin SSOP and QFN-32 packages
  • Pricing from $3.00 - $1.80 (10K)

PL-2303XA is the lowest-cost, high-performance USB-to-Serial Bridge Controller available, previously only known to leading Far East manufacturers but now available in North America. PL-2303XA provides a convenient and versatile solution for connecting serial devices to any USB host.  Due to its ubiquitous use in mass-produced devices, PL-2303XA’s tried-and-tested, widely-compatible, royalty-free drivers offer rugged stability in simulating a traditional COM port on most operating systems (XP, Vista, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Linux, etc.), thus allowing existing or new COM-port-based applications and products to easily migrate and be instantly USB-ready on systems where no true COM ports exist.  Additionally, the flexible signal level requirements on the serial port side allow PL-2303XA to connect directly to 3.3V to 1.8V devices – a feature not available on competing ICs.

Four Development Routes for PL-2303XA
    1. Dev/ OEM Board Part# UC2320-AKE-Module
    This tiny board provides all the components ready-mounted for an instant PL-2303XA USB-TTL serial solution. ($20ea.)  

    2. USB-TTL Cable
    This uses the same board as above in a 45” cable with USB Type A connector and wire tinned leads)  ($20ea.)

    3. USB to Serial Cable Part# UC2321-AKE
    Full Speed USB to Serial cable 29 in.(73 cm) based on Prolific PL-2303XA device with USB 2.0 features.
    4. Samples
    Ask for IC samples from your nearest distributor Saelig (USA East Coast or worldwide) or Surplus Gizmos (USA West Coast ) and hook the components up yourself – schematics downloadable at www.prolificusa.com