The "PL2303TA" is a USB to UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) bridge IC produced by Prolific Technology Inc.. This particular model is commonly used for converting USB signals to UART signals, enabling communication between USB-equipped devices and serial devices like microcontrollers, modems, and other RS232-compatible devices.
Package Information:
The PL2303TA typically comes in a 28-pin package, with the most common package being LQFP (Low-profile Quad Flat Package). There are also variations with different pin counts and packages depending on the specific application and manufacturer.
Pin Function Table (For 28-pin Package):
Here is the detailed pin function description for the PL2303TA in the 28-pin package:
Pin Number Pin Name Function Description 1 VCC Power supply pin for the IC (typically +5V). 2 TXD Transmit data pin (serial output from the IC to the UART). 3 RXD Receive data pin (serial input to the IC from the UART). 4 RTS Request to Send (RTS) signal, used for flow control between the transmitting and receiving devices. 5 CTS Clear to Send (CTS) signal, used for flow control, indicating that the receiver is ready to receive data. 6 DTR Data Terminal Ready (DTR), used to indicate that the device is ready for communication. 7 DSR Data Set Ready (DSR), indicates that the connected device is ready to communicate. 8 DCD Data Carrier Detect (DCD), used in modem communication to indicate the presence of a carrier signal. 9 RI Ring Indicator (RI), used in modem communication to indicate an incoming call. 10 GND Ground pin for the IC. 11 VCC Power supply pin for the IC (typically +5V). 12 USB_DP USB data plus pin, used for data transmission. 13 USB_DM USB data minus pin, used for data transmission. 14 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 15 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 16 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 17 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 18 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 19 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 20 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 21 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 22 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 23 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 24 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 25 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 26 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 27 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point). 28 NC No connection (reserved for future use or as a tie point).Pin Function Description:
VCC (Power Supply): Powers the PL2303TA USB-to-UART converter. This is typically connected to a 5V source. TXD (Transmit Data): This pin transmits the data from the PL2303TA chip to the UART connected to the system. RXD (Receive Data): This pin receives data from the UART to the PL2303TA chip. RTS (Request to Send): Used in hardware flow control, it signals the receiver to prepare for data reception. CTS (Clear to Send): Indicates to the sender that it is ready to receive data. DTR (Data Terminal Ready): Used for signaling that the terminal is ready for communication. DSR (Data Set Ready): Signals to the terminal that the device is ready to communicate. DCD (Data Carrier Detect): Often used in modem communication, it detects the presence of a carrier signal. RI (Ring Indicator): Used in modems to signal an incoming call.FAQ for PL2303TA:
Q: What is the PL2303TA used for? A: The PL2303TA is a USB to UART bridge converter that allows USB devices to communicate with devices using UART protocols.
Q: What is the voltage requirement for the PL2303TA? A: The PL2303TA operates at 5V and 3.3V for different systems, with VCC typically at 5V.
Q: How do I interface the PL2303TA with a microcontroller? A: Connect the TXD and RXD pins of the PL2303TA to the RX and TX pins of the microcontroller respectively. Use the ground pin for reference.
Q: Does the PL2303TA support both full and half-duplex communication? A: Yes, the PL2303TA supports both full-duplex and half-duplex communication depending on the settings of the UART interface.
Q: Can the PL2303TA be used for serial communication with modems? A: Yes, the PL2303TA supports DTR, DSR, DCD, and RI signals required for modem communication.
Q: What are the signal lines needed for hardware flow control with PL2303TA? A: The RTS and CTS lines are used for hardware flow control between the PL2303TA and a UART device.
Q: How do I install drivers for the PL2303TA on Windows? A: You can download the appropriate drivers from the Prolific Technology website or use the Windows Update feature to automatically install drivers.
Q: What is the maximum baud rate supported by the PL2303TA? A: The PL2303TA supports baud rates up to 1 Mbps.
Q: Can I use the PL2303TA in low-power applications? A: Yes, the PL2303TA can operate in low power modes when not actively transferring data.
Q: What is the package size of the PL2303TA? A: The PL2303TA is typically available in a 28-pin LQFP package.
Q: Does the PL2303TA have support for USB 2.0? A: Yes, the PL2303TA is compliant with USB 2.0 full-speed (12 Mbps) specifications.
Q: What kind of data encoding does the PL2303TA use? A: The PL2303TA uses standard UART encoding for serial communication.
Q: Can I use the PL2303TA with both 5V and 3.3V systems? A: Yes, the PL2303TA is compatible with both 5V and 3.3V systems, though care should be taken with voltage levels on certain pins.
Q: Is the PL2303TA backwards compatible with previous PL2303 models? A: Yes, the PL2303TA is compatible with earlier PL2303 models, but make sure to verify driver compatibility.
Q: How do I ensure data integrity when using the PL2303TA? A: Use flow control signals like RTS/CTS and DTR/DSR to ensure reliable data transmission.
Q: Can the PL2303TA support multiple devices connected to the same USB port? A: The PL2303TA can only support a single device per USB port, but you can use USB hubs to expand the number of devices.
Q: What happens if the USB connection is lost while the PL2303TA is active? A: The PL2303TA will stop communication, and the device will need to be reconnected to resume data transfer.
Q: Can the PL2303TA be used with operating systems other than Windows? A: Yes, the PL2303TA also has drivers for Linux and macOS, though you might need to manually install them.
Q: What is the role of the RI pin on the PL2303TA? A: The RI pin is used to signal an incoming call in modem applications, specifically in voice or fax communication.
Q: How do I reset the PL2303TA if it stops working? A: Typically, disconnecting and reconnecting the USB connection will
