FT232BL
FT232BL - USB UART IC, USB 2.0 Full-Speed, LQFP-32 | FTDI
The FTDI FT232BL is a 2nd-generation USB-to-UART interface IC that converts between USB and asynchronous serial data formats, housed in a 32-pin LQFP (7x7 mm) package. It supports USB 2.0 full-speed (12 Mbps) signaling, integrates a 3.3V LDO regulator, and provides a complete UART modem interface with hardware flow control (RTS/CTS/DTR/DSR/DCD/RI). The FT232BL operates from a single 4.35V to 5.25V supply, consumes approximately 25 mA typical operating current, and is USB-IF certified for seamless plug-and-play on Windows, macOS, Linux, and embedded operating systems. An external 93C46/93C56/93C66 EEPROM can be attached to customize USB VID/PID, product strings, and power descriptor fields. According to the FTDI datasheet (DS_FT232BL_BQ.pdf), the device supports UART data rates from 300 baud up to 3 Mbaud with 7 or 8 data bits and configurable parity. The internal clock is derived from a 6 MHz external crystal multiplied to 48 MHz via the on-chip PLL. The FT232BL is the LQFP-32 variant of the FT232B family, while the FT232BQ ships in a 32-pin QFN (5x5 mm) package. Compared to the later FT232R generation, the FT232BL requires an external crystal and external EEPROM, which adds BOM cost but offers more flexible oscillator tuning. The FT232BL also provides CBUS pins (CBUS0-CBUS5) that can be configured via EEPROM for functions such as PWREN#, SLEEP#, TXLED#, RXLED#, and clock outputs. This pin set makes the FT232BL a drop-in workhorse for microcontroller development boards, industrial USB-to-serial converters, programmer/debugger interfaces, and point-of-sale terminals. The integrated 3.3V LDO (pin 6) can supply up to 50 mA to external logic, eliminating the need for an external regulator in 3.3V MCU designs. Engineers should note that the FT232BL has been designated NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) in favor of the FT232R/FT232H/FT-X series, but remains widely available through distribution channels for legacy designs.
A USB UART bridge is a class of interface IC that handles the USB protocol stack on one side and presents a classical asynchronous serial (UART) interface on the other. It belongs to the broader USB-to-peripheral bridge category, sitting between USB controllers and simpler serial devices. USB UART bridges are essential when a host MCU or legacy equipment lacks native USB but needs to exchange bytes with a PC. In the component taxonomy, the FT232BL is an Interface IC > USB Bridge > USB-to-UART converter.
Key features of the FT232BL include a 3 Mbaud maximum UART baud rate, integrated 3.3V LDO, full USB 2.0 full-speed compliance, six CBUS-configurable pins, hardware flow control on modem signals, and optional external 93C46/93C56/93C66 EEPROM support. The device integrates a clock multiplier PLL, eliminating the need for an external 48 MHz source. USB suspend and resume are handled in hardware, drawing less than 500 uA suspend current for battery-powered designs.
The FT232BL architecture consists of an 8051-compatible USB protocol engine, FIFO controllers, UART engine, and a parallel CBUS configuration block. The 8051 core executes FTDI's firmware from internal ROM, which is why the part requires no external flash. Data flows from USB endpoint buffers through 384-byte TX and 128-byte RX FIFOs into the UART block. The 6 MHz external crystal is multiplied internally by an 8x PLL to generate 48 MHz for the USB block.
Typical applications include microcontroller-to-PC serial bridges (Arduino-compatible boards, STM32 Nucleo, ESP32 debug logs), industrial RS-232/RS-422 adapters, USB programmer/debugger interfaces (JTAG/SPI bridges), barcode scanner interfaces, GPS module USB dongles, and legacy equipment modernization. The wide OS driver support makes the FT232BL a low-risk choice for cross-platform products.
When designing, observe USB-IF signal-integrity guidelines: keep the D+/D- traces 90 ohm differential, length-matched within 2 mm, and route over a continuous ground plane. Add a ferrite bead on VBUS if the design is bus-powered and may be hot-plugged.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in and migration alternatives, and practical design notes not collected in the manufacturer datasheet alone, supporting faster sourcing decisions for engineers.
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