How to Use the PL2303HX USB to UART TTL Converter

Hey there! Let’s dive into the PL2303HX USB to UART TTL converter, which is super handy for all your hardware projects.
So, UART is a go-to for hardware development, especially when you’re dealing with sensor communication, device debugging, or even board-to-board chats.
While SPI and I2C have their place, you’ll find UART popping up quite often in various applications.
At the heart of this converter is the PL2303HX chip, featuring handy pins like 3.3V power, TX, RX, GND, and 5V.
Just a pro tip: setting up your connections properly is key! For example, make sure the RX of your Arduino links up with the TXD pin, and the TX of the Arduino connects to the RXD pin on the converter.
Don’t forget about that ground connection to get everything communicating smoothly!.

Hey there! So, let’s dive into how this cool converter works.
It fits perfectly with both 3.3V and 5V systems, which is super handy.
In our example, we’re using an Arduino Due that runs on 3.3V and an Arduino Uno that’s set to 5V .
For the Uno, we’re tapping into pins 2 and 3 for communication, with pin 2 being RX and pin 3 as TX.
Meanwhile, the Due uses RX1 and TX1 for its connections.
We’ve got two converters ready for action, and the setup starts with the Arduino Due; just remember, black wire goes to ground, and then connect the converter’s TXD pin to RX with gray for RX1 and white for TX1..

Alright, let’s get your Arduino Uno up and running! First off, you’ll want to start with the ground connection—it’s super important.
Next, take that gray wire and connect it to the RX pin, which is actually pin two since that’s where the receiver (RX) is located.
Then, you’ll need to hook up the gray TXD pin to pin two and the white RXD pin to pin three to make sure everything’s talking properly.
Remember, on the Arduino side, the data you want to send will come from the TX pin, while your personal computer (PC) sends data to the converter’s TX pin.
And there you go—simple as that!.

Setting up the driver for communication is super important, especially for the RX or RSD pins since they handle all the crucial data coming from the other party.
If you’re using the PL2303 HX USB to UART TTL converter to chat with your PC, you’ll need to make sure you have the right drivers installed for your operating system.
For Windows users, there’s a handy link available that will take you to the latest driver version—just download and install it from there.
Mac users, don’t worry! There’s a specific link just for you to grab the right firmware and keep everything running smoothly.
Oh, and just to save you some hassle, I’ve already installed the necessary drivers myself..

If you’re diving into Arduino, here’s a straightforward code to get you started! This code works like a charm for both the low-power 3V Du model and the classic 5V Uno model.
Every second, it prints ‘Hello, world!’ and even has a cool echo feature where it can respond to messages.
Feel free to grab the code linked for you, just remember to set your baud rate to either 9,600 or 115,200—whatever suits your needs.
To keep things running smoothly, you’ll connect two USB to UART TTL converters for seamless communication through the serial monitor..

When it comes to serial communication, there are some handy tools you can use, like CoolTerm and Putty, which work on both platforms.
Personally, I like sticking with the built-in Arduino serial monitor for quick checks.
It’s easy—just select the right port connected to your converter, and bam! You’re set for smooth serial and UART communications.
During our exploration, we had our eyes on the PL2303 HX USB to UART TTL converter.
If you’re curious to learn more, drop a comment, and I’ll whip up a video just for you!.