LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
Future Technology
Devices International
Limited
Datasheet
LC234X Development
Module
1 Introduction
1.1
The LC234X module is a low cost USB to UART
bridge using the FTDI FT234XD to transfer data at
up to 3M Baud. Ideal for programming Arduino
Pro, ESP modules etc., the pinout follows the
industry standard FTDI TTL cable interface. In
addition to the 4 data lines (RXD, TXD, RTS, CTS)
there is also the option to output 5V power to
external hardware. The interface IO level may be
set to either 3.3V or 5V by an on-board jumper –
no soldering / de-soldering required.
The LC234X module utilises the FT234XD
from FTDI. For a full list of the FT234XD’s
features refer to the FT234XD datasheet.
The LC234X module’s UART interface is mapped
to one 1X6 pin header. The module is supplied
with one right angle socket and one right angle
pin header for maximum flexibility.
Furthermore there is an LED provided to indicate
data transmission on the UART signals
Features
In addition, the LC234X module has the
following features:
Small PCB size as 15.24mm X
22.89mm
Easy configurable IO voltage interface
USB 2.0 full speed
Low supply current:10mA
Supported baud rates: 300 bps to 3
Mbps
Supplied with one right angle socket
and one right angle pin header for
maximum flexibility.
Power output to external logic 5V
-40oC to +85oC operational
temperature range
Full RoHS compliance
Neither the whole nor any part of the information contained in, or the product described in this manual, may be adapted or
reproduced in any material or electronic form without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. This product and its
documentation are supplied on an as-is basis and no warranty as to their suitability for any particular purpose is either made or
implied. Future Technology Devices International Ltd will not accept any claim for damages howsoever arising as a result of u se or
failure of this product. Your statutory rights are not affected. This product or any variant of it is not intended for use in any
medical appliance, device or system in which the failure of the product might reasonably be expected to result in personal injury.
This document provides preliminary information that may be subject to change without notice. No freedom to use patents or other
intellectual property rights is implied by the publication of this document. Future Technology Devices International Ltd, Unit 1, 2
Seaward Place, Centurion Business Park, Glasgow G41 1HH United Kingdom. Scotland Registered Company Number: SC136640
Copyright © Future Technology Devices International Limited
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
2 Typical Applications
USB to UART bridge
Debugger / Programmer for embedded MCU e.g. Arduino
USB IO extender for small 8-bit micro’s
2.1
Driver Support
The LC234X requires USB drivers (listed below), available free from http://www.ftdichip.com, which
are used to make the module appear as a virtual COM port (VCP). This allows the user to communicate
with the USB interface via a standard PC serial emulation port (for example TTY). Another FTDI USB
driver, the D2XX driver, can also be used with application software to directly access the LC234X
through a DLL. Both VCP and D2XX drivers support Windows auto-update.
Royalty free VIRTUAL COM PORT
(VCP) DRIVERS for...
Royalty free D2XX Direct Drivers
(USB Drivers + DLL S/W Interface)
Windows 10 32,64-bit
Windows 10 32,64-bit
Windows 8/8.1 32,64-bit
Windows 8/8.1 32,64-bit
Windows 7 32,64-bit
Windows 7 32,64-bit
Windows CE 4.2, 5.0 and 6.0
Windows CE 4.2, 5.0 and 6.0
Windows Server 2003, 2008 R2, 2012
Windows Server 2003, 2008 R2, 2012
Mac OS-X
MAC OS-X
Linux 2.4 and greater
Linux 2.4 and greater
Android(J2xx)
For driver installation, please refer to the installation guides on our website:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/InstallGuides.htm
3 Ordering Information
Part No.
Description
LC234X
Low cost FT234X USB to UART module
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
Table of Contents
1
Introduction .................................................................... 1
1.1
2
Features .................................................................................... 1
Typical Applications ........................................................ 2
2.1
Driver Support .......................................................................... 2
3
Ordering Information ...................................................... 2
4
Pin Out and Signal Description ........................................ 4
5
4.1
Module Description ................................................................... 4
4.2
Module Interface Signal Description ......................................... 5
Devices Characteristics and Ratings ................................ 6
5.1
Electrical Specification .............................................................. 6
6
Board Schematic ............................................................. 7
7
Mechanical Dimensions ................................................... 9
8
Contact Information ...................................................... 10
Appendix A – References ................................................... 11
Document References ..................................................................... 11
Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................... 11
Appendix B - List of Figures and Tables ............................. 12
List of Tables ................................................................................... 12
List of Figures ................................................................................. 12
Appendix C – Revision History ........................................... 13
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
4 Pin Out and Signal Description
4.1 Module Description
Figure 1 - Module Features
Reference
Designator
Micro USB connector
CN1
IO voltage selection
CN2
6pin 2.54mm pitch connector UART interface
CN3
FT234X USB to serial bridge IC
U1
Green color LED
TX/RX
Table 1 - Module Features & Description
Feature
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LC234X Module Datasheet
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Clearance No.: FTDI#517
4.2 Module Interface Signal Description
Figure 2 - Module Signal Diagram
The pin description of CN3 is given in Table 2.
Pin
No
Pin Name
Type
Description
1
GND
Power
Ground
2
CTS
Input
Clear To Send Control Input/Handshake
3
VBUS
Power
5V Supply
4
TXD
Output
Transmit Asynchronous Data Output
5
RXD
Input
Receiving Asynchronous Data Input
6
RTS
Output
Request To Send Control Output/Handshake Signal
Table 2 – CN3 Pin Description
The LC234X can support both 3.3V and 5V interface, the power jumper selection is through CN2. The
default jumper setting is in 3.3V interface
Pin Number
Description
1-2
3.3V IO interface (Default)
2-3
5V IO interface
Table 3 – CN2 Jumper Selection
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
5 Devices Characteristics and Ratings
5.1 Electrical Specification
Parameter
Value
Unit
Storage Temperature
-30°C to 80°C
Degrees C
Ambient Operating Temperature (Power
Applied)
-20°C to 70°C
Degrees C
Conditions
Table 4 – Temperature Parameters
DC Characteristics (Ambient Temperature = -20°C to +70°C)
IO interface: 5V
Parameter
V
I
bus
Description
Minimum
Output Power Voltage
4.75
Supply current
o
Typical
Maximum
Units
5.25
V
450
3.2
4.1
mA
Voh
Output Voltage High
4.9
Vol
Output Voltage Low
0.3
0.4
0.6
V
Table 5 – 5V Interface Operating Voltage and Current
Conditions
Assuming
connected to
direct to a host
port or a
powered hub,
and enumerated
V
DC Characteristics (Ambient Temperature = -20°C to +70°C)
IO interface: 3V3
Parameter
V
I
bus
o
Description
Minimum
Output Power Voltage
4.75
Supply current
Typical
Maximum
Units
5.25
V
450
2.2
2.8
mA
Voh
Output Voltage High
3.2
Vol
Output Voltage Low
0.3
0.4
0.6
V
Table 6 – 3V3 Interface Operating Voltage and Current
Copyright © Future Technology Devices International Limited
Conditions
Assuming
connected to
direct to a host
port or a
powered hub,
and enumerated
V
6
LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
6 Board Schematic
Figure 3 - FT234X Schematics
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
Figure 4 - LC234X Module Component Placement
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
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Clearance No.: FTDI#517
7 Mechanical Dimensions
6.5 mm
22.89 mm
15.24 mm
Figure 5 - LC234X Module Dimensions
Copyright © Future Technology Devices International Limited
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
8 Contact Information
Head Office – Glasgow, UK
Branch Office – Tigard, Oregon, USA
Future Technology Devices International Limited
Unit 1, 2 Seaward Place, Centurion Business Park
Glasgow G41 1HH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 141 429 2777
Fax: +44 (0) 141 429 2758
Future Technology Devices International Limited (USA)
7130 SW Fir Loop
Tigard, OR 97223-8160
USA
Tel: +1 (503) 547 0988
Fax: +1 (503) 547 0987
E-mail (Sales)
E-mail (Support)
E-mail (General Enquiries)
E-mail (Sales)
E-mail (Support)
E-mail (General Enquiries)
sales1@ftdichip.com
support1@ftdichip.com
admin1@ftdichip.com
us.sales@ftdichip.com
us.support@ftdichip.com
us.admin@ftdichip.com
Branch Office – Taipei, Taiwan
Branch Office – Shanghai, China
Future Technology Devices International Limited (Taiwan)
2F, No. 516, Sec. 1, NeiHu Road
Taipei 114
Taiwan , R.O.C.
Tel: +886 (0) 2 8797 1330
Fax: +886 (0) 2 8751 9737
Future Technology Devices International Limited (China)
Room 1103, No. 666 West Huaihai Road,
Shanghai, 200052
China
Tel: +86 21 62351596
Fax: +86 21 62351595
E-mail (Sales)
E-mail (Support)
E-mail (General Enquiries)
E-mail (Sales)
E-mail (Support)
E-mail (General Enquiries)
tw.sales1@ftdichip.com
tw.support1@ftdichip.com
tw.admin1@ftdichip.com
cn.sales@ftdichip.com
cn.support@ftdichip.com
cn.admin@ftdichip.com
Web Site
http://ftdichip.com
Distributor and Sales Representatives
Please visit the Sales Network page of the FTDI Web site for the contact details of our distributor(s) and sales representative(s)
in your country.
System and equipment manufacturers and designers are responsible to ensure that their systems, and any Future Technology Devices
International Ltd (FTDI) devices incorporated in their systems, meet all applicable safety, regulatory and system-level performance requirements.
All application-related information in this document (including application descriptions, suggested FTDI devices and other materials) is provided
for reference only. While FTDI has taken care to assure it is accurate, this information is subject to customer confirmation, and FTDI disclaims all
liability for system designs and for any applications assistance provided by FTDI. Use of FTDI devices in life support and/or safety applications is
entirely at the user’s risk, and the user agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless FTDI from any and all damages, claims, suits or expense
resulting from such use. This document is subject to change without notice. No freedom to use patents or other intellectual property rights is
implied by the publication of this document. Neither the whole nor any part of the information contained in, or the product described in this
document, may be adapted or reproduced in any material or electronic form without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. Future
Technology Devices International Ltd, Unit 1, 2 Seaward Place, Centurion Business Park, Glasgow G41 1HH, United Kingdom. Scotland Registered
Company Number: SC136640
Copyright © Future Technology Devices International Limited
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
Appendix A – References
Document References
For module documentations, please refer to URL below:
FT234XD datasheet: FT234XD Datasheet
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Terms
LED
UART
USB
Description
Light-emitting diode
Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
Universal Serial Bus
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
Appendix B - List of Figures and Tables
List of Tables
Table 1 - Module Features & Description .......................................................................................... 4
Table 2 – CN3 Pin Description ........................................................................................................ 5
Table 3 – CN2 Jumper Selection ..................................................................................................... 5
Table 4 – Temperature Parameters ................................................................................................. 6
Table 5 – 5V Interface Operating Voltage and Current ....................................................................... 6
Table 6 – 3V3 Interface Operating Voltage and Current ..................................................................... 6
List of Figures
Figure 1 - Module Features ............................................................................................................ 4
Figure 2 - Module Signal Diagram ................................................................................................... 5
Figure 3 - FT234X Schematics ........................................................................................................ 7
Figure 4 - LC234X Module Component Placement ............................................................................. 8
Figure 5 - LC234X Module Dimensions ............................................................................................ 9
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LC234X Module Datasheet
Version 1.1
Document Reference No.: FT_001387
Clearance No.: FTDI#517
Appendix C – Revision History
Document Title:
LC234X Module Datasheet
Document Reference No.:
FT_001387
Clearance No.:
FTDI#517
Product Page:
http://www.ftdichip.com/LC234X.htm
Document Feedback:
Send Feedback
Revision
Changes
Date
Version 1.0
Initial release
2017-02-21
Version 1.1
Updated release
2017-03-30
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