Greetings,
As Windows 10 is rapidly reaching end of support, I started thinking
about how I would replace my desktop. Unfortunately, nothing comes with
a serial port and if anything does, it's probably not the same UART as
found in an older PC.
I knew about the Silicon Laboratories CP2102 and actually bought a
couple of their development kits. The CP2102 allows a user to set an
"alias" baud rate that can go as low as 45 baud. Unfortunately, the
development kits are a bit costly at more than $40 per unit.
I did a lot of Google searching and tried a few USB to serial adapters
made for the hobby market. Unfortunately, most of the "CP2102" UARTs
appear to be Chinese knock-offs that mostly act like the Silabs units
but they don't support 45 baud.
Eventually, I came across Pololu Robotics who actually carries a USB to
TTL adapter with the "real" Silabs* chip. At $15 each, I bought four of
them just to make sure I had a couple spares as the CP2102 is being
discontinued and replaced with the CP2102N which does not support 45
baud. They worked so well, I might buy a few more.
One needs the CP210xBaudRateAliasConfig.exe program to change the baud
rate. Silabs also has a configuration program that is supposed to
change the baud rate but I couldn't get it to work. They don't currently
make CP210xBaudRateAliasConfig available but I can provide it for those
who need it.
Right now, there are 119 in stock. I wouldn't bet that they would make
any more.
I have nothing to with Pololu Robotics other than being a satisfied
customer.
PDW
*I think they were actually insulted when I mentioned the knock-off
chips because they proudly said that their converters are made in the
USA with parts sourced from the proper manufacturers.
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