USB Adapter
USB to Serial Adapters
USB to serial adapters connect USB hosts to equipment that uses serial interfaces such as RS-232.
USB to serial adapter characteristics
Compare interface support, driver requirements, and common uses.
| Typical USB input | USB-A or USB-C |
|---|---|
| Typical serial output | RS-232; other serial electrical interfaces require the appropriate adapter |
| Adapter type | Active USB-to-serial bridge |
| Driver requirements | Depend on the bridge controller and operating system |
| Connector compatibility | The physical serial connector does not by itself identify the electrical interface or pinout |
| Common uses | Device consoles, industrial controls, instrumentation, embedded development, and legacy peripherals |
Sources: USB-IF Communications Device Class 1.2, USB-IF Device Class Specifications, USB-IF Defined Class Codes, and USB-IF USB 2.0 Specification.