DFRobot
Gravity: IIC to Dual UART Module
The Gravity IIC to Dual UART Module converts a single I2C connection into two independent hardware serial ports. Each sub-UART has its own 256-byte FIFO buff...
The Gravity IIC to Dual UART Module converts a single I2C connection into two independent hardware serial ports. Each sub-UART has its own 256-byte FIFO buffer for transmitting and receiving, with individually configurable baud rate, word length, and parity settings.
Most controller boards like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and micro:bit only have one or two UARTs — and one is often reserved for programming or debugging. This module solves the problem by adding two extra serial ports via I2C. Up to four modules can be daisy-chained on a single I2C bus to provide eight additional hardware serial ports.
Key Features
- I2C to Dual UART – Expands one I2C port into two independent serial ports
- Up to 2 Mbps – High-speed communication on each sub-UART
- 256-Byte FIFO Buffer – Independent transmit and receive buffers per channel
- Independent Configuration – Each sub-UART has its own baud rate, word length, and parity settings
- Daisy-Chainable – Connect up to four modules for eight serial ports total
- Gravity Interface – 4-pin I2C connector for plug-and-play connection
Specifications
- Operating Voltage – 3.3V to 5.5V
- Operating Current – Less than 3 mA
- Interface – Gravity I2C 4-pin
- Expanded UARTs – 2
- Operating Temperature – -40°C to +85°C
- Dimensions – 32.5 × 27 mm
Ideal For
- IoT projects requiring multiple serial devices
- GPS and ultrasonic ranging modules
- Speech synthesis and wireless communication modules
- Projects with strict timing requirements (IR receivers, addressable LEDs)
Package Contents
- 1× Gravity IIC to Dual UART Module
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- baud
- Baud is the signalling rate of a serial connection, often used as the speed setting for UART communication. Matching the baud rate matters because both connected devices must use the same setting for readable data.
- FIFO
- FIFO stands for “first in, first out” and is a small memory buffer inside the sensor that stores recent readings in order. This matters because it can help capture motion data without the microcontroller needing to read the sensor every single instant.
- GPS
- The US satellite navigation system used by GNSS receivers to calculate position and time. Support for GPS is important because it is widely available and often used together with other constellations for more reliable positioning.
- Gravity
- Gravity is DFRobot’s plug-in connector system for sensors, motors and modules, using standard cables to reduce loose jumper wiring. It matters because Gravity-compatible parts can connect directly to these ports, while non-Gravity parts may need adapters or manual wiring.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- IoT
- Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.
- UART
- UART is a simple serial connection that sends data over separate transmit and receive wires, often labelled TX and RX. It matters because this module is designed to replace a wired UART cable with a wireless link while keeping the same serial data format.
Find this product in
Brands
Supplier page — dfrobot.com
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Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
