USB RS-232 Adaptor

USB - RS232 (Serial) Adaptor Windows OS X, Linux

Do you have the standard unit?
Use the drivers on this page.

Do you have the USB-RS232 adapter that provides 5VDC power on DB9 PIN-9?
Works with OS X 10.8, 10.7, 10.6, ...
Click here for powered unit drivers.

USB RS-232 adapter provides USB 5VDC on DB9 PIN 9

This handy adpator works with virtually all software that uses an RS-232 serial port.
Works with virtually all software that uses an RS-232 serial port, including the SerialMagic, and ScanChamp® products.

Are you a developer?
This device works superbly with SerialPort API, and with Serialio.com implementation of javax.comm.SerialPort.

Connect barcode scanners, NFC-RFID scanners, scales, caller ID units, sensors, GPS receivers, smart card readers, modems, printers ... virtually any RS-232 device to your computer using the USB port.

Note: This USB serial adaptor has been tested with ZTerm and CoolTerm on OS X.

This diagram here provides an overview.
Use the adapter directly from a USB port, or via a USB hub. The converter is powered by the USB port, so the hub must be powered.
This adapter works with Windows 7-64/32, Windows Vista-64/32, Windows XP, Win2K, Mac OS X, and Linux (2.4 kernel and later).


Windows

Windows users, please see this page.


Apple Mac OS X

The driver below only supports the Prolific-based adapters supplied by Serialio.com.
Download Mac OS X drivers for the USB-RS232 adapter. Supports all OS X systems from 10.1 through 10.6 - Intel and PPC-based systems "Universal Binary" (UB)
Release Date: 05/13/2011
Download Mac OS X drivers for the USB-RS232 adapter. Supports all OS X 10.7 "Lion" - Intel-based systems
Release Date: 05/13/2011

The driver below only supports the FTDI-based adapters supplied by Serialio.com.
Download Mac OS X drivers for USB-Virtual COM adapters. Supports OS X systems from 10.1 through 10.8 "Mountain Lion" - Intel and PPC-based systems "Universal Binary" (UB)
Release Date: 03/12/2012

See notes for using these adapters on OS X.

See notes for using this device on a Windows XP virtual machine through Parallels Desktop.

Apple Mac OS 8 and 9

The driver below only supports the Prolific-based adapters supplied by Serialio.com.
Download the Mac OS 8 and 9 drivers here. PL-2303 drivers (ver 1.2.0) for Mac OS 8.x and OS 9.x
Release Date: 03/14/2002


Linux

Linux with kernel 2.4 and later has drivers built-in (virtually all linux machines shipping since early 2000's use the 2.4 kernel and later)


USB Hub Notes

The adaptor works with virtually all powered USB hubs. With OS X use is painless, just plug-and-use. Windows versions prior to XP are notorious for quirky issues with devices on USB hubs, be sure to choose a good USB hub if you plan to use Windows prior to XP - this goes for all USB devices over hubs on older Windows, not just this USB to RS-232 adaptor.

Application Notes

Review application notes about using the adaptor.

Order online, or call to order.

Note: Adaptor may not be exactly as pictured above.
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Note: These devices are known by many names: USB-Serial adapters, USB-PDA adapters, and USB-RS-232 converters. Spelling can also depending on location so it may be called called USB-Serial adaptors, USB-PDA adaptors, or USB RS-232 adaptors, or USB RS232 adaptor.