The CP2102 is a highly-integrated USB-to-UART Bridge Controller providing a simple solution for updating RS-232 designs to USB using a minimum of components and PCB space. The CP2102 includes a USB 2.0 full-speed
function controller, USB transceiver, oscillator, EEPROM, and asynchronous serial data bus (UART) with full
modem control signals in a compact 5 x 5 mm MLP-28 package. No other external USB components are required.
The on-chip EEPROM may be used to customize the USB Vendor ID, Product ID, Product Description String,
Power Descriptor, Device Release Number, and Device Serial Number as desired for OEM applications. The
EEPROM is programmed on-board via the USB allowing the programming step to be easily integrated into the
product manufacturing and testing process.
Royalty-free Virtual COM Port (VCP) device drivers provided by Silicon Laboratories allow a CP2102-based
product to appear as a COM port to PC applications. The CP2102 UART interface implements all RS-232 signals,
including control and handshaking signals, so existing system firmware does not need to be modified. In many
existing RS-232 designs, all that is required to update the design from RS-232 to USB is to replace the RS-232
level-translator with the CP2102.
An evaluation kit for the CP2102 (Part Number: CP2102EK) is available. It includes a CP2102-based USB-to-UART/RS-232 evaluation board, a complete set of VCP device drivers, USB and RS-232 cables, and full documentation. Contact a Silicon Labs’ sales representatives or go to www.silabs.com to order the CP2102 Evaluation Kit.