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USB A to six-pin .1" cable, black and green wires

SparkFun Electronics

SparkFun FTDI Cable 5V .1" 6-pin USB to Serial (TTL level) converter

SKU CH-QGJ4-X454N

USB-to-serial converter with 5V TTL levels and a .1" 6-pin connector for programming Arduino boards

  • Product typeEngineering Development Tools
  • 5V I/O levels for direct connection to 5V logic boards
  • FT232RQ chip provides reliable USB to TTL serial conversion
  • 1" 6-pin connector matches Arduino Pro, Pro Mini and Lilypad headers
  • RTS and CTS pins included for hardware flow control
  • USB A plug integrates the converter for a compact cable design

USB to Serial TTL Converter

The SparkFun FTDI Cable is a USB to Serial converter operating at 5V TTL levels. It is built around an FT232RQ chip housed in a USB A connector and terminates in a .1" pitch 6-pin header. The pinout matches RTS, RX, TX, 5V, CTS, and GND for direct connection to compatible boards.

Arduino Programmers and TTL Interfacing

This cable suits developers programming Arduino Pro, Pro Mini, or Lilypad boards by aligning the black and green wires to the PCB labels. It also serves engineers needing a simple USB link to any 5V TTL serial device. It is less convenient for builders who need on-board LED status indicators or a compact module that can be embedded inside a small enclosure.

5V I/O Voltage Level

The cable’s I/O pins are fixed at 5V, which determines whether it matches the logic level of the target hardware. If the connected device requires a different voltage, this converter will not work without additional level-shifting circuitry. The FT232RQ design and .1" connector are secondary to this voltage constraint.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Engineering Workstations & Dev Kits, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $15.99
Pricier than about 67% of the 170 comparable items (median $11.49).

Specifications

Product
Product typeEngineering Development Tools

Questions about this item

Will the 5V I/O on this FTDI cable work with my older Arduino Pro boards?

The cable provides 5V I/O and is designed to program Arduino Pro, Pro Mini and Lilypad boards by aligning the black and green wires with the BLK and GRN labels on those PCBs.

How can I verify the FT232RQ converter is functioning after I plug it in?

The FT232RQ appears as a virtual COM port in your operating system device manager, confirming the USB-to-serial bridge is active and ready for TTL communication.

What connectors and cables come in the box, and what must I source separately?

The cable terminates in a USB A plug on one end and a 0.1" pitch 6-pin header (RTS, RX, TX, 5V, CTS, GND) on the other; no extra cables are included.

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