FT230XS-R - USB 2.0 to UART Bridge 3MBaud | FTDI
MPN: FT230XS-R ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.92 | $5.92 |
| 10 | $5.45 | $54.50 |
| 100 | $4.9 | $490.00 |
| 500 | $4.45 | $2,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.05 | $4,050.00 |
FT230XS-R Overview
A USB-to-UART bridge is a class of interface ICs that converts USB 2.0 packets into asynchronous serial data, sitting within the broader hierarchy of connectivity ICs: USB bridge -> UART interface IC -> interface IC -> integrated circuit. These devices allow a host PC to communicate with a microcontroller or other UART-based device through a virtual COM port created by the chip's driver stack.
Key features of the FT230XS-R include the complete FT-X series feature set, on-chip handling of the entire USB protocol, optimized pin count for smaller PCB designs, and low power consumption of approximately 8 mA. The suffix R denotes tape-and-reel packaging for automated assembly. The device supports data transfer rates from 300 baud to 3 Mbaud.
Technically, the FT230X contains a USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbps) Serial Interface Engine (SIE), a USB protocol controller, and a UART FIFO controller. FTDI's royalty-free Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers and D2XX direct drivers are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, and each chip ships with a unique USB identification pre-programmed in on-chip OTP memory, which designers can customize for OEM branding.
Typical applications include USB-to-serial adapter cables, microcontroller programming and debug interfaces, industrial control panels, and embedded systems that need a quick USB connectivity upgrade over a legacy UART port. Its small SSOP-16 footprint suits space-constrained boards.
A key design consideration is that the FT230X lacks full modem-control signals (RTS/CTS/DTR/DSR complete set) found on the larger FT232 series, so designs requiring complete handshake lines should verify signal availability before committing to the optimized pin count.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, drop-in alternative analysis, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing selection guidance beyond raw specification repetition.
Drop-in alternatives for FT230XS-R — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
FT230XS-U
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
FT230XS-R Specifications
| Function | USB 2.0 Full Speed to Basic UART Bridge |
| USB Standard | USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbps) |
| UART Data Rate | 300 baud to 3 Mbaud |
| Supply Current | 8 mA (typical) |
| Package | 16-SSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Series | FT-X |
| USB Protocol Handling | Entire USB protocol handled on-chip |
| Driver Support | VCP (Virtual COM Port) and D2XX direct drivers |
| USB ID | Unique ID pre-programmed in on-chip OTP memory |
| Packaging Suffix | R = Tape and Reel |
| MSL Rating | MSL 3 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Typical Applications | USB to serial UART conversion for embedded and industrial systems |
FT230XS-R 16-ssop Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for FT230XS-R (16-ssop package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for FT230XS-R.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
FT230XS-R is suitable for 6 applications: USB to Serial Adapter Cables, Microcontroller Programming and Debug Interfaces, Industrial Control and Automation Panels, Consumer Electronics USB Connectivity Upgrade, Medical Device Diagnostic Ports, Networking and Communication Equipment Console Ports.
USB to Serial Adapter Cables
The FT230XS-R is the core IC in USB-to-serial adapter cables and dongles, converting USB 2.0 Full Speed traffic into a 300 baud to 3 Mbaud UART stream. Its 8 mA supply current allows fully bus-powered cable designs without external regulators, and the 16-SSOP package fits inside compact molded dongle housings. FTDI's pre-installed VCP drivers create a native COM port on Windows, macOS, and Linux, so end users need no manual driver installation. Because the entire USB protocol is handled on-chip and the USB ID is pre-programmed in OTP memory, cable manufacturers can ship immediately with optional FT_PROG customization for OEM VID/PID branding.
Recommended
Microcontroller Programming and Debug Interfaces
Embedded engineers use the FT230XS-R as the PC-side bridge in microcontroller programming and debug tools. Its 3 Mbaud maximum rate comfortably covers bootloader protocols such as Arduino-style serial upload and vendor ISP flashing, while the deterministic FTDI driver stack avoids timing surprises found in cheap CH340-class alternatives. Placed between the USB connector and the target MCU's TX/RX pins with only a 100 nF VCC decoupling capacitor, it needs no firmware and no external crystal, since the clock is integrated. The optimized pin count keeps programming-dongle BOM cost low; designs requiring RTS/DTR-based auto-reset can drive those lines through the available control outputs or move to the FT231X for richer signal options.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation Panels
In industrial automation, the FT230XS-R provides a maintenance USB port on PLC front panels, motor drives, and sensor hubs, allowing field technicians to reconfigure parameters from a laptop without opening the enclosure. The on-chip USB protocol engine is insensitive to host timing jitter, and the 8 mA operating current suits always-connected diagnostic ports. Its RoHS compliance and MSL 3 rating support standard industrial reflow assembly. Designers typically isolate the UART side with a digital isolator to protect against ground potential differences on factory floors, since the bridge itself is not isolated. The 3 Mbaud ceiling is ample for configuration traffic, which is bursty and low duty cycle compared with continuous telemetry links.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics USB Connectivity Upgrade
Consumer product designers add the FT230XS-R to appliances, toys, and lighting controllers to expose a USB service port over an existing UART architecture, avoiding a costly firmware rewrite of the legacy serial interface. Because the IC handles the complete USB protocol stack on-chip and needs no crystal or firmware, time to market is short and certification risk is low. The small 16-SSOP footprint fits dense two-layer consumer PCBs, and bus-powered operation at roughly 8 mA adds negligible load. FTDI's broad OS driver support means the product works out of the box on customer PCs, reducing support tickets. The unique pre-programmed USB ID also simplifies plug-and-play enumeration in consumer Windows environments.
Recommended
Medical Device Diagnostic Ports
Benchtop medical instruments and portable diagnostics use the FT230XS-R as a service and data-export USB port linked to the internal MCU UART. The deterministic VCP driver stack provides reliable log streaming at fixed baud rates such as 115200 baud, and the on-chip USB handling avoids host timing dependency that could corrupt timestamped patient data exports. With only about 8 mA draw, the port adds minimal drain on battery-powered handheld devices. Designers should note the bridge is not medically isolated itself, so USB-facing patient-connected circuits require additional isolation barriers. The RoHS-compliant SSOP-16 package supports the clean, compact layouts demanded by handheld diagnostic enclosures and docking cradle designs.
Recommended
Networking and Communication Equipment Console Ports
Routers, switches, and baseband units use the FT230XS-R to expose an internal USB console or management UART accessible from a technician's laptop. The 3 Mbaud ceiling and FTDI's stable drivers give smooth interactive CLI sessions over terminal emulators, and the on-chip USB protocol engine ensures enumeration even on locked-down corporate PCs where driver installation is restricted to signed, common vendors - FTDI's VCP driver is widely pre-approved. Bus-powered operation at approximately 8 mA means the console port works even when the equipment is unpowered, a common field-service requirement for reading boot logs. The compact SSOP-16 package fits easily on dense control-card layouts alongside the management MCU.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for FT230XS-R — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | FT230XS-U |
|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-SSOP | 16-SSOP - same |
| Brand | FTDI | FTDI |
| UART Data Rate | 300 baud to 3 Mbaud | 300 baud to 3 Mbaud |
| USB Standard | USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbps) | USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbps) |
| Supply Current | 8 mA (typical) | 8 mA (typical) |
| Packaging Format | Tape and Reel (R suffix) | Tube (U suffix) |
| Driver Support | VCP and D2XX | VCP and D2XX |
| RoHS Compliance | Compliant | Compliant |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest pin count in the FTDI USB-UART family (vs FT232RL-REEL)
- Zero firmware development required (vs FT231XS-R)
- FT-X series feature set at entry level (vs FT230XQ-T)
Design Notes
Decouple the FT230XS-R VCC pin with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor on the 3.3 V rail. Keep the USB D+/D- differential pair routed with 90 ohm differential impedance and matched in length where possible; the device integrates the internal 1.5 kOhm pull-up on D-, so no external resistor is required. Do not route the D+/D- traces near switching regulator inductors to avoid USB eye-diagram violations on the 12 Mbps Full Speed link.
The FT230X uses an optimized pin count and does NOT provide the full modem-control signal set of the FT232R family. Verify early in design whether your application needs RTS/CTS hardware flow control or DTR-based auto-reset (common in Arduino-style bootloaders); if so, confirm the available control outputs on the FT230X or move to the FT231X or FT232R. Also note the R suffix means tape and reel - order the U suffix tube version for hand-assembly prototypes to avoid reel handling.
Estimated: with a typical 8 mA supply current on a 3.3 V rail, the FT230XS-R dissipates only about 26 mW, so no thermal design effort is needed in virtually all applications. If USB VBUS (5 V) is the only available source, use a small LDO or buck to generate 3.3 V; budget an additional margin for USB transceiver dynamic current during sustained 3 Mbaud transfers. Always power the IC from a clean rail - USB bus noise coupling into the UART side can cause framing errors at high baud rates.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and MSL 3 per PartGenie distributor compliance data. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict minerals status not stated in provided data.
