National Instruments USB-232/2 Serial Interface Device

The National Instruments USB-232/2 (Part Number: 778473-02) is a 2-Port Serial Interface Device. This USB based device can transform your regular USB (Universal Serial Bus) port into 2 asynchronous serial ports. Thus, you can use the USB-232/2 to communicate with RS232 devices via USB because it operates like a standard serial port and offers a hardware handshake line as well. This Serial Interface Device is fully compatible with Microsoft Windows OS and appears as a standard COM port when plugged into any standard personal computer. Thus, you can use this device with a variety of software applications that use COM ports.

With the NI USB-232/2, null modem cables aren’t required because the device can operate in DCE and DTE transceiver modes with automatic transceiver detections. The National Instruments USB-232/2 Serial Interface Device is a bus-powered device, which does not require internal batteries or an external power supply.  The integrated USB cable is a type-B cable with 2 D-SUB 9-pin male connectors that provide serial connectivity. Moreover, this Serial Interface Device has TX and RX LEDs provided on the front of the device.

The USB-232/2 supports baud rates up to 230.4 kb/s and draws around 200 mA of current, while operating in typical conditions at +5 VDC from the USB channel. The NI USB-232/2 Serial Interface Device comes with a hard-plastic case and a baseplate made of metal. This device can operate in harsh conditions, since it can operate flawlessly in 0 to 70 °C ambient temperature range and 10% to 90% relative humidity.