Adafruit
TermDriver 2 USB-to-Serial Adapter with IPS Display
· MPN: ADA6460
This compact USB-to-serial interface adds a built-in screen to the serial adapter workflow, so you can see data passing by instead of debugging blind. It han...
This compact USB-to-serial interface adds a built-in screen to the serial adapter workflow, so you can see data passing by instead of debugging blind. It handles everything from low-speed console output to high-speed UART traffic, with line status and traffic visible on the device itself.
The display supports standard ANSI escape codes, including colour and layout, so terminal output is reproduced on the tiny IPS monitor. It also shows control signal status in real time, making it easier to spot baud-rate, wiring or handshake issues while you work.
You can use TermDriver 2 like a fully featured USB serial adapter, with a 32 KB input buffer and 3.3 V output available for attached hardware. It can also operate independently of USB, letting it serve as a standalone console for embedded systems such as a Raspberry Pi.
Serial connections are made via standard 0.1" header pins, with a micro-USB host connection for USB. The open source firmware and PCB design suit developers who want an inspectable, field-upgradeable tool that runs standard CircuitPython.
Specifications:
- Baud rates: 110 to 2,000,000 bps
- Microcontroller: Dual-core RP2040 microcontroller (ARM Cortex-M0+)
- Hardware input buffer: 32 KB hardware input buffer
- Control signals: Control signals (RTS/DTR)
- Architecture: Zero data loss architecture
- Display: High-contrast all-angle IPS display, 230 pixels-per-inch
- Terminal emulation: Full ANSI terminal emulation with color support
- Control signal monitoring: Real-time control signal monitoring (RTS, DTR)
- Design: Custom bezel, rugged one-piece design
- Power output: 350 mA @ 3.3V power output
- Host connection: micro-USB host connection
- Serial connection: Standard 0.1" header pins for serial connection
- Standalone operation: Standalone operation (no USB required)
- Operating system support: Driver-free operation on Windows, macOS, Linux
- USB device class: Standard USB CDC ACM device class
- Firmware: Open source firmware (BSD 3-clause license)
- PCB design: Open source PCB design
- Firmware upgrades: Field-upgradeable firmware
- CircuitPython: Runs standard CircuitPython
A handy debugging tool for firmware flashing, serial consoles, headless systems and embedded development where seeing UART traffic directly on the adapter saves time.
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.
- CircuitPython
- A beginner-friendly version of Python designed to run directly on microcontroller boards. If a product supports CircuitPython, you can often program it by copying code files onto the board rather than setting up a more complex toolchain.
- IPS
- IPS is a type of LCD panel that keeps colours and contrast more consistent when viewed from an angle. This matters for small displays that may be mounted in a dashboard, handheld project, or enclosure where the viewer is not always looking straight on.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board is a rigid board with copper tracks that connect electronic parts without loose wires. For this kit, the PCBs also form the airplane shape, so they are both the circuit base and part of the finished model.
- RP2040
- A microcontroller chip used on many maker boards, with enough speed and flexible I/O for some camera and display projects. Compatibility with RP2040 matters because camera modules often need many pins and careful timing to read image data successfully.
- 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.
- USB host
- A USB host is the side of a USB connection that controls attached devices, like a computer talking to a keyboard or flash drive. This matters because most microcontroller boards are normally USB devices, so adding USB host support lets them use common USB peripherals.
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