PROLIFI PL2303

Mfr. Part

PL2303

Manufacturer

Prolific Technology Inc

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Detailed Description

PL2303 is a USB to UART bridge IC that converts USB 2.0 full speed signals to a single asynchronous serial port

Ideal for USB to RS232 or USB to TTL adapter cables and embedded designs

Mature drivers available for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Commonly used in data cables, console adapters, industrial controllers, and POS systems

Key Features

USB 2.0 full speed device up to 12 Mbps

One UART channel with flexible serial formats

Typical baud rates up to 1 Mbps and higher depending on variant

Hardware flow control options RTS CTS DTR DSR plus modem signals DCD RI on supported variants

Supports 5V USB bus power with onboard 3.3V regulator

Requires external crystal typically 12 MHz

Low power operation with suspend and resume

WHQL and community driver support for major operating systems

ESD protection can be added externally for rugged use

Simple design in SSOP package for compact PCBs

Key Advantages

Very widely adopted USB to serial solution with stable ecosystem

Easy drop in for USB to RS232 TTL converters and adapter cables

Reduces BOM cost compared to discrete USB and UART implementations

Strong OS driver availability and long track record in the market

Multiple compatible Prolific family variants available to fit different needs

RoHS lead free and compliant manufacturing options

Fast time to market thanks to simple hardware and proven firmware

Packaging

Type SSOP family commonly SSOP 28 for PL2303HX TA HXD variants

Material Epoxy molding compound with copper leadframe lead free matte tin finish RoHS compliant

Size Approx body 10.2 mm x 5.3 mm x 1.75 mm typical for SSOP 28 pin pitch about 0.635 mm actual dimensions depend on exact case option

Pin configuration Typical SSOP 28 version includes USB D plus USB D minus VBUS GND 3V3 regulator pins XI XO for crystal and UART signals TXD RXD RTS CTS DTR DSR DCD RI plus GPIO on some variants

Thermal characteristics Typical consumer operating range 0 to 70 C industrial options in the PL2303 family can be rated to minus 40 to plus 85 C verify with datasheet for the exact variant

Electrical properties USB bus powered 5 V input onboard 3.3 V core regulator UART I O typically 3.3 V TTL level external level shifter required for true RS232 voltage levels typical active current under normal operation is low verify exact numbers in datasheet

Packaging format Available in tape and reel or tray depending on order code and case option Case code noted as 910 in the provided parameters verify mechanical details with datasheet or our sales team

Lifecycle

Status The PL2303 family is active with current variants such as PL2303TA PL2303HXD and PL2303SA Some older variants like PL2303HXA have been discontinued by the manufacturer

Availability In stock quantity 5100 units subject to prior sale

Equivalent or alternative models

- Prolific PL2303TA Improved compatibility SSOP 28 widely used in USB to serial cables

- Prolific PL2303HXD Enhanced version SSOP 28 better power and driver support

- Prolific PL2303SA Cost optimized variant smaller packages for embedded use

- FTDI FT232R FT232RL Industry standard USB to UART robust drivers wide OS support various packages

- FTDI FT231X Newer FTDI USB to UART lower power small packages

- Silicon Labs CP2102 CP2104 Compact USB to UART strong driver support QFN and other packages

- Microchip MCP2221A USB to UART plus I2C GPIO features for multi interface needs

- WCH CH340 CH340G Very cost effective USB to UART widely used in hobby and OEM markets

If you need a drop in mechanical match or a specific electrical pinout please contact our sales team via the Y-IC website for exact cross reference guidance

Key Application Areas

USB to RS232 and USB to TTL adapter cables and dongles

Debug and console ports for routers switches SBCs and servers

Industrial automation PLC programming CNC and machine controllers

POS terminals barcode scanners scales and receipt printers

GPS modules modems legacy serial peripherals and data loggers

Embedded systems needing a simple USB communications port

Datasheet

Y-IC hosts the most authoritative datasheet for the PL2303 family on our product page

We recommend downloading the datasheet here to confirm pinout package dimensions electrical limits and driver details

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