PL2303GC - USB to UART Bridge Controller, SSOP-28 | Prolific
MPN: PL2303GC ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.36 | $1.36 |
| 10 | $1.22 | $12.20 |
| 100 | $1.05 | $105.00 |
| 500 | $0.92 | $460.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.82 | $820.00 |
PL2303GC Overview
A USB-to-UART bridge controller is a category of interface IC that converts USB signaling on the host side into traditional asynchronous serial (UART) signaling on the device side. The hierarchy is USB-to-Serial bridge -> UART controller -> asynchronous serial interface -> Interface IC -> Integrated Circuit. These bridges allow designers to add USB connectivity to existing UART-based microcontrollers, sensors, and modules without rewriting firmware, by emulating a legacy COM port through a virtual-COM-port driver on the host.
Key features of the PL2303GC include integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) PHY, a configurable UART supporting 5/6/7/8 data bits and 1/1.5/2 stop bits, hardware and software flow control (XON/XOFF, RTS/CTS, DTR/DSR), multiple GPIO pins for status or control signaling, and support for USB Battery Charging Specification 1.2 (BC1.2). The device operates from a single 3.3 V supply, draws low suspend current, and integrates an internal clock multiplier so no external crystal is required, reducing BOM cost.
Architecturally, the PL2303GC combines a USB Serial Interface Engine (SIE), a 48 MHz internal PLL, an asynchronous serial engine with 256-byte FIFOs in each direction, and the BC1.2 charger-detection state machine. The high FIFO depth prevents UART underrun at high baud rates and decouples the host polling interval from the device-side data rate.
Typical applications include USB-to-RS232 debug cables for embedded development, industrial control boards replacing legacy COM ports, USB barcode scanners, GPS modules, point-of-sale terminals, and any system needing legacy serial connectivity from a modern USB-only host. The on-chip GPIO and BC1.2 detection also suit charging-cable applications where the upstream port must signal charging current to a downstream device.
When designing with the PL2303GC, note that it is pin-to-pin compatible with the legacy PL2303HXD and PL2303TA in SSOP-28, but the external BOM differs - the new part requires fewer passives. Plan for the migration schematic referenced in the Prolific application note PL2303GC-SSOP28_Migration-Guide.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PL2303GC — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with PL2303GC (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Function, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PL2303HXD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PL2303TA
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →PL2303GC-QFN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PL2303GC Specifications
| Function | USB to Full UART Bridge Controller |
| USB Standard | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) |
| UART Data Bits | 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 |
| UART Stop Bits | 1 / 1.5 / 2 |
| UART Parity | None / Even / Odd / Mark / Space |
| FIFO Depth | 256 bytes (per direction) |
| Flow Control | XON/XOFF, RTS/CTS, DTR/DSR |
| Battery Charging Support | USB BC1.2 compliant |
| GPIO Pins | Multiple (GPIO) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | SSOP-28 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| External Crystal Required | No (internal PLL) |
PL2303GC ssop-28 Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PL2303GC (ssop-28 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 PL2303GC.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PL2303GC is suitable for 6 applications: USB to RS232 Debug Cable / Console Bridge, Industrial Controller USB Port Replacement, USB Barcode Scanner Interface, GPS Module USB Dongle, Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal Connectivity, USB Charging Cable with BC1.2 Detection.
USB to RS232 Debug Cable / Console Bridge
The PL2303GC's USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) interface, full UART engine, and 256-byte FIFOs make it ideal for USB-to-RS232 debug cables that connect embedded development boards to a host PC's modern USB port. Placed between a USB-A plug and an RJ45 or DB9 UART header, the IC enumerates as a virtual COM port via Prolific's WHQL-signed drivers, so existing terminal applications (PuTTY, minicom, screen) work without firmware changes. With 5-8 data bits, hardware RTS/CTS flow control, and baud rates up to multi-Mbps, it matches the legacy COM-port behavior most embedded firmware expects, while the 3.3 V supply rail and SSOP-28 footprint keep the cable dongle compact and bus-powered.
Recommended
Industrial Controller USB Port Replacement
The PL2303GC lets designers add USB connectivity to legacy industrial controllers that previously exposed only an RS232 DB9 connector. Mounted on the controller's main PCB in SSOP-28, the IC converts USB signaling to UART for the on-board MCU or ASIC, which continues to run its existing serial protocol. The -40 C to +85 C operating range and integrated flow control (RTS/CTS, DTR/DSR) make it robust for factory-floor environments, while the wide host-driver compatibility (Windows, Linux, macOS) simplifies commissioning and field service. Compared with discrete USB-to-UART implementations, the integrated PHY, internal PLL, and BC1.2 charger detection reduce BOM cost and PCB area.
Recommended
USB Barcode Scanner Interface
The PL2303GC provides a reliable bridge for handheld USB barcode scanners that present a virtual COM port to the host POS system. With 256-byte FIFOs in each direction, the IC prevents data loss even when the scanner fires rapid bursts of decoded data; hardware flow control (RTS/CTS) and configurable data bits (5-8) and parity modes support both legacy and modern scanner protocols. The 3.3 V supply is convenient for battery-powered scanner handles, and the wide OS driver support means the same scanner works on Windows POS terminals, Linux-based kiosks, and macOS inventory systems without firmware changes.
Recommended
GPS Module USB Dongle
The PL2303GC is well suited for USB GPS dongles that output NMEA 0183 sentences over a virtual COM port. Its UART engine cleanly handles the 4800-115200 baud rates typical of GPS modules, and the hardware flow control prevents buffer overrun when the host is briefly busy. The integrated BC1.2 charger detection lets the dongle signal whether it should draw 500 mA or higher from the upstream USB port, simplifying bus-powered designs. Compared with a discrete USB PHY plus UART MCU implementation, the single-chip PL2303GC reduces BOM and PCB area while maintaining Prolific's mature driver stack across Windows and Linux.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal Connectivity
POS terminals often need to expose USB connectivity to legacy serial peripherals such as receipt printers, cash drawers, and customer displays. The PL2303GC's USB 2.0 Full-Speed interface and integrated UART let a single IC bridge a host POS PC to a serial device with no external crystal, reducing BOM cost in high-volume deployments. The integrated BC1.2 charger detection also supports charging the terminal from the upstream USB port. With -40 C to +85 C operation, the PL2303GC fits retail environments where temperature swings are common near windows or kitchen stations.
Recommended
USB Charging Cable with BC1.2 Detection
The PL2303GC's integrated USB Battery Charging Specification 1.2 (BC1.2) controller makes it suitable for smart charging cables that must negotiate charging current over the USB VBUS line. The charger-detection block allows the upstream device to identify the cable and request 500 mA, 1.5 A, or higher charging current, while the GPIO pins can be used to drive LED status indicators. Compared with discrete BC1.2 detector ICs, the PL2303GC integrates the BC1.2 state machine with a full UART engine in a single SSOP-28 package, reducing BOM count and PCB area in cable assemblies.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PL2303GC — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PL2303HXD | PL2303TA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SSOP-28 | SSOP-28 | SSOP-28 |
| Brand | Prolific Technology Inc. | Prolific Technology Inc. | Prolific Technology Inc. |
| USB Standard | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V (with internal regulator) | 3.3 V (with internal regulator) |
| External Crystal Required | No (internal PLL) | Yes (12 MHz external crystal) | Yes (12 MHz external crystal) |
| Battery Charging Support | USB BC1.2 compliant | Limited / no BC1.2 | No |
| GPIO Pins | Multiple | Fewer | Fewer |
| Pin-to-Pin Compatibility | Reference part | Yes (per Prolific migration guide) | Yes (per Prolific migration guide) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated BC1.2 charging detection in a single USB-to-UART IC (vs PL2303HXD)
- No external crystal required - simpler BOM and smaller PCB (vs PL2303HXD)
- Wider GPIO range and improved driver support (vs PL2303TA)
Design Notes
Place the PL2303GC close to the USB connector to keep the D+ and D- differential traces short and length-matched (within 150 mil tolerance per USB 2.0 spec). The internal PLL eliminates the external 12 MHz crystal required by older PL2303HXD/TA designs, freeing board area but requiring a clean 3.3 V supply - add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin, plus a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor on the USB VBUS rail if the device is bus-powered.
When migrating from PL2303HXD to PL2303GC on an existing PCB, do NOT assume the BOM is identical - the PL2303GC has a different external component list per the Prolific migration guide PL2303GC-SSOP28_Migration-Guide. Removing the legacy crystal and load capacitors without re-checking the BOM can leave the new IC in an unstable state. Always revalidate the reference schematic against the latest migration guide before respinning a board.
Route the UART TXD/RXD lines away from noisy USB switching regions to avoid coupling. The GPIO pins can serve as LED drivers or control signals, but do not exceed their rated sink/source current per the datasheet. For BC1.2 charging applications, ensure the VBUS sense path is filtered to prevent false charger-detection handshakes during hot-plug events.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per LCSC product listing. AEC-Q100 not applicable for USB-UART bridge ICs. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-mineral status not explicitly stated in verified data - marked as unknown.
