SparkFun
SparkFun FTDI Basic Breakout - 3.3V
The SparkFun FTDI Basic Breakout provides USB-to-serial conversion using the FTDI FT232RL IC, operating at 3.3V logic levels. Its 6-pin header matches the st...
The SparkFun FTDI Basic Breakout provides USB-to-serial conversion using the FTDI FT232RL IC, operating at 3.3V logic levels. Its 6-pin header matches the standard FTDI pinout, making it compatible with Arduino Pro, LilyPad, and other 3.3V boards that use the FTDI connector.
The board brings out the DTR pin rather than RTS, enabling auto-reset on compatible Arduino boards when uploading sketches — no need to press the reset button manually. TX and RX LEDs provide visual confirmation of serial traffic.
Key Features
- FTDI FT232RL – Reliable USB-to-serial UART conversion
- 3.3V Logic Level – Matches 3.3V Arduino boards and other targets
- DTR Pin – Enables auto-reset for sketch uploads on compatible boards
- TX/RX LEDs – Visual indication of serial communication
- SMD 6-Pin Header – Compact form factor with standard FTDI pinout
- Mini-B USB Connector – Standard USB connection to host computer
Pin Alignment
The pins labelled BLK and GRN correspond to the black (GND) and green (DTR) wires on a standard FTDI cable. Use these markings to align the board with your target's 6-pin connector.
Ideal For
- Programming Arduino Pro, LilyPad, and other 3.3V FTDI-header boards
- General-purpose USB-to-serial communication
- Debugging and serial monitoring
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- breakout
- A breakout is a small circuit board that makes a tiny or hard-to-solder component easier to connect to with standard pins. It matters because this OLED module can be wired into a microcontroller project without needing to solder directly to the display’s fine contacts.
- RTS
- RTS stands for Request To Send, a serial flow-control signal used to manage when a device is ready to receive data. It matters when moving fast serial streams because flow control can help prevent lost data.
- 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
FTDI Basic Breakout 3.3V Schematic
Schematic · 18.0 KB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 1009.6 KB · Click any page to view full size
Resources & Downloads
Guides, code examples, and more
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
