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Thunderlinx™ USB 3 to Serial Adapter


  • Model: THX-1000
  • In Stock

$65.00

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Description

If you don’t mind paying a bit extra to get the absolute best and highest quality then the Thunderlinx™ USB to Serial adapter is for you.

As all other USB serial adapters, the Thunderlinx™ serial converter cable converts serial data to USB data and vice versa, so why pay more? Its actually relatively simple: the better design of the internal circuitry and the higher quality of components used the better and more reliable the adapter will be. Additionally, this usb adapter offers surge protection, making it ideal for industrial applications.

Here are some of the features which makes the Thunderlinx™ USB to serial adapter so special.

Overview

A USB to Serial adapter is a crucial device that bridges the gap between modern computers and legacy serial devices. These adapters support legacy serial connections, enabling older RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 devices to maintain connectivity in modern computing environments. As computers have evolved, many have phased out built-in serial ports, making it challenging to connect older serial devices. This is where a USB to Serial adapter comes into play. By converting the USB signal from your computer’s USB port into an RS-232 serial signal, this adapter allows seamless communication between your computer and serial devices. Whether you need to connect to a serial port on industrial equipment, medical devices, or other legacy systems, a USB to Serial adapter ensures that your serial device remains functional and accessible through a USB-A port.

Optimized Internal Circuitry

Many standard USB to serial adapters will work well with simple applications in clean office environments, but often fails if you try to use them with more complex applications, non-standard devices, older operating systems or where electrical noise is present. The Thunderlinx™ adapter puts an end to all these problems as it has been carefully designed to work reliable in as many environments as possible and with as many applications and devices as possible. The Thunderlinx™ USB to serial adapter's circuitry has been developed, improved and tested over several years with thousands of applications. Not only has the design been thoughtfully developed by our engineers it has also actually been tested extensively in the field.

Based on the New Generation FTDI Processor for USB to Serial Adapter

There are many USB/Serial processors on the market today, however there are only a few good high quality processors. Most USB to Serial adapters are made with a low-quality processor because it is cheapest, but unfortunately also the worst quality. The Thunderlinx™ adapter is designed around the new generation FT231X processor from FTDI Semiconductors which is a newer optimized version of the popular FT232RL processor. The FT231X has several advantages over the older FT232RL processor; besides improved reliability, it uses MTP memory instead of EEPROM memory which makes it possible for the user to easier access the memory functions and change the parameters. Another invaluable feature is that the drivers for the FX231X processor are in as high a quality as the processor itself, which means less problems and higher reliability and compatibility with almost any operating system and device. You can use the Device Manager to verify if the device is recognized and check the status of the drivers.

High Quality Components

The most important thing next after a great design, reliable processor and drivers are reliable and high quality supporting components. Supporting components are the components such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, serial drivers etc. Together these form the protection, filtering and indication circuitries and also helps with the data conversion. Our engineers has carefully selected each single component the Thunderlinx™ USB to serial adapter is made of so that they are fully compatible with each other and creates the perfect complete circuitry. This means better noise reduction, better electrostatic (ESD) protection, support of true high speed baud rates for up to 921600bps (most other USB serial adapters claim to support high baud rates but fact is that they don’t due to a low-cost serial driver), and seamless integration with various serial port connections.

User Friendly

What good is a product if it's difficult to use? Well, that is why we made the Thunderlinx™ USB serial adapter easy to use. To identify the serial adapter connected to your computer, you can check the Windows Device Manager to see which COM port has been assigned, or use terminal commands to find the serial device. Not only do the drivers automatically download and install as soon as you connect the adapter to your Windows PC’s USB port (provided your PC is connected to the Internet), the adapter also has several LED indication lights which show when the adapter has power, when it is ready to use, when it's sending and receiving data, and if there is a current limit. The LED lights are a great help when trying to find out what is actually going on with the adapter.

Installation and Setup

Installing and setting up the Thunderlinx™ USB to Serial adapter is a straightforward process that ensures your serial devices are up and running in no time. Follow these simple steps to get started:

  1. Connect the Adapter: Plug the Thunderlinx™ USB to Serial adapter into an available USB port on your computer.

  2. Download Drivers: Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the necessary drivers for your adapter. Ensure you select the correct drivers for your operating system.

  3. Install Drivers: Run the downloaded driver installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

  4. Connect Serial Device: Use a serial cable to connect your serial device to the adapter.

  5. Open Device Manager: On your computer, open the Device Manager to locate the newly installed serial port.

  6. Configure Port Settings: Right-click on the serial port, select Properties, and configure the port settings to match the requirements of your serial device. Adjust the baud rate, data bits, parity, and stop bits as needed.

  7. Save and Close: Click OK to save the changes and close the Properties window.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Thunderlinx™ USB to Serial adapter is properly installed and configured, allowing seamless communication with your serial devices.

Auxiliary Power

As a special feature, rarely seen in this price range (or in any price range for that matter), the Thunderlinx™ USB to serial adapter provides 5V DC on pin 9 which can be used to power serial devices connected to the adapter. The power is limited to around 450mA so you don’t have to worry if it will damage your USB port if your serial device malfunctions and draws more current. Current limit is indicated with a LED light. Pin 9 power is nice to have if you want to power a connected serial device directly without any external power supply.

SPECIFICATIONS

Part number

THX-1000

Operating system

* Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8 (32/64-bit), Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 / R2, Windows 7 (32/64-bit), Windows Server 2008 R2, Vista (32/64-bit), Windows Server 2008 (32/64-bit), XP, Windows Server 2003 (32/64-bit), 2000, (all WHQL compliant). Windows RT as D2XX drivers only. * Windows CE v4.2 - 5.2, 6.0, 7.0 and 2013 including: Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 SE, Windows Mobile 5, 6, 6.1 and 6.5 * Linux (built into kernel 3.0.0-19 and above) * Mac OS 8, OS 9, OS X 10.3 to 10.9 and above * Android

Processor

FTDI FT231X

Serial driver

Exar SP3243EUEA-L

Unique chipID no.

Yes, each converter has it own unique ID number which can be accessed by the user with the D2XX driver programmers guide.

RS232 Interface

RS232 DB9 Male

RS232 output power

~5.7VDC

Pin 9 output power

5VDC max limited at 450mA

Cable length

3 feet

USB interface

Standard Type A Male

Indication LEDs

Power, TX, RX, COM Port Ready, AUX Limit

Ports

1-port

Signals

TX, RX, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, RI and GND

Baud rate

300-921,600bps (up to 3Mbps by using alising)

Parity

None, Odd, Even, Mark, Space

Data Bits

7, 8

Stop Bits

1, 2

TX / RX buffer size

512 Byte Transmit Buffer / 512 Byte Receive Buffer

Adjustable USB transfer sizes for TX and RX

From 64 bytes to 4096 bytes

Adjustable latency timer

1 to 255 msec

Adjustable read and write timeouts

0 to 10000 msec

Flow Control

None, Xon/Xoff, Hardware

COM port accessible by

Included virtual COM port drivers or FTD2XX.DLL

Special features

* Works with Cisco Standard Break Key Sequence for Password Recovery * Supports non-standard baud rates * Programmable processor parameters. Download software and instructions.

Electrostatic (ESD) protection

600W surge protection, 15KV static electricity protection

Current draw

Static: less than 80mA. Dynamic average: less than 150mA

Interface compliance

USB1.1, 2.0, 3.0, EIA/TIA RS-232

Regulatory compliance

FCC, CE and RoHS

Temperatures

Operating: -13°F to 158°F (-25°C to 70°C) Storage: -40°F to 185°F (-40°C to 85°C)

Warranty

1 year limited warranty

For alternative USB to serial solutions please see our full selection of USB to Serial RS232 adapters

Software Compatibility

The Thunderlinx™ USB to Serial adapter is designed to be highly compatible with a wide range of software applications and operating systems, making it a versatile choice for various use cases. Here are some of the software applications and environments it supports:

  • Terminal Emulators: Compatible with popular terminal emulators like HyperTerminal and PuTTY, allowing for easy serial communication and debugging.

  • Serial Communication Software: Works seamlessly with software such as Serial Console and Serial Monitor, providing reliable data transfer and monitoring capabilities.

  • Programming Languages: Supports integration with programming languages like Python and C++, enabling developers to create custom applications that utilize serial communication.

  • Operating Systems: Fully compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring broad usability across different platforms.

When selecting a USB to Serial adapter, it’s crucial to ensure that it is compatible with your specific software applications and operating system. The Thunderlinx™ adapter’s extensive compatibility makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the Thunderlinx™ USB to Serial adapter is designed for reliability, you may occasionally encounter issues. Here are some common problems and troubleshooting tips to help you resolve them:

  • Device Not Recognized: Ensure that the adapter is securely connected to the computer and that the drivers are installed correctly. If the problem persists, try using a different USB port or cable.

  • Serial Port Not Found: Open Device Manager and check if the serial port is listed. If not, ensure that the port is enabled and that the drivers are properly installed. You may need to restart your computer.

  • Communication Errors: Verify that the baud rate, data bits, parity, and stop bits are correctly set in the serial port settings. These parameters must match the requirements of your serial device.

  • Adapter Not Working: If the adapter is not functioning, try resetting it by unplugging and reconnecting it. Reinstalling the drivers can also help resolve persistent issues.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can address common issues and ensure that your Thunderlinx™ USB to Serial adapter operates smoothly, providing reliable connectivity for your serial devices.

Applications

USB to Serial adapters are indispensable across a wide range of industries, providing vital connectivity for various serial devices. In industrial automation, these adapters connect sensors, actuators, and control systems to computers, enabling precise monitoring and control. In the medical field, they link patient monitors, ventilators, and infusion pumps to computers for critical data transfer and monitoring. Point of Sale (POS) systems also benefit from USB to Serial adapters, connecting receipt printers, barcode scanners, and credit card readers to computers for efficient transaction processing.

In telecommunications, USB to Serial adapters facilitate the connection of modems, routers, and switches to computers, aiding in network management and configuration. Embedded systems, including microcontrollers and robots, rely on these adapters for programming and debugging. Beyond these industries, USB to Serial adapters are used for mobile data collection and monitoring with laptops and tablets, enabling serial communication in industrial environments like manufacturing plants and warehouses. They also provide a convenient way to connect serial devices in laboratory settings for scientific research and development, and they ensure reliable connections in harsh environments, such as outdoor or extreme temperature conditions.

Overall, USB to Serial adapters are essential tools that enable communication between computers and serial devices, playing a crucial role in a multitude of applications and industries.



Read the Review
Date Added: 06/21/2024 by Kyle H.
5 of 5 Stars!5 of 5 Stars!
Very impressed by this small adapter. It appears as the cheap Amazon adapters but the inside of this...

Read the Review
Date Added: 06/13/2024 by Joey H.
5 of 5 Stars!5 of 5 Stars!
Very satisfied with this purchase! When troubleshooting we need the status lights this adapter provi...

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