What is the difference between an FTDI chip and a UART?

Question

To my knowledge the FTDI chip converts RS-232 serial data into USB form (to go into a com port). Also, the UART is setup that converts parallel data into serial data.Where I get confused is I know that the computer reads bytes (thus parallel bits) so you would need a UART to convert any serial data to parallel data. However, does the FTDI chip do the same thing? Basically is there ever a situation in serial communication when you want to communicate serial bit data with a USB computer that you would need both a UART and an FTDI chip? Or can a FTDI chip do the same thing that a UART can?I ask because I have an arduino and I know that the arduino uses and FTDI chip to program the ATMEGA microcontroller, however, I hear about a UART on the arduino development board as well, and I am trying to understand why would there need to be a UART when the FTDI chip is able to communicate serially with the microcontroller and computer com port…Thanks!

Mina Herzog · Accepted Answer

You’re getting confused between function and brand names. A UART converts serial RS232 data into 8 bit parallel data. Technically the term is a little more generic than that specific use but that’s what 99% of them are used for.FTDI is a brand name for a company that make USB chips.Their most common chip is an RS232 to USB converter but they also make other USB interface chips.Since USB is serial (Universal Serial Bus, it was originally designed as a replacement for RS232) a conversion from RS232 to USB is a serial to serial conversion. When you connect to the development board your computer uses USB to talk to the FTDI chip which converts that into RS232 which then connects to the ATMEGA microcontroller. The reason why things like microcontrollers still use RS232 rather than USB is that it is far simpler to use, you don’t need drivers or have to worry about who is the host and who is the master and a UART is a simple enough piece of logic to include in the micro. Basically if you are keeping things simple then RS232 is all you need.However computers don’t often have RS232 ports these days and so development boards often include parts like the FTDI USB-RS232 device to make it easier to connect a computer.

Mina Herzog · Answer

This Site Might Help You.RE:What is the difference between an FTDI chip and a UART?To my knowledge the FTDI chip converts RS-232 serial data into USB form (to go into a com port). Also, the UART is setup that converts parallel data into serial data.Where I get confused is I know that the computer reads bytes (thus parallel bits) so you would need a UART to convert any serial…

Mina Herzog · Answer

The UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) converts parallel out to serial out and sends it with proper added bits for timing. More importantly, it waits to receive serial data and upon receipt of the added bits grabs the next bits and arranges them in parallel. The input and output are handled at TTL voltage levels.The FTDI chip, from what I have been able to read, receives serial – modifies the voltage level – and passes on serial. There is no creation of parallel structure.RS-232 is actually a definition of voltage levels for serial transmission and of handshaking hardware connections – on a 25 pin connector by default although it will fit on a 9 pin connector as IBM did on their PC. Chips exist to take the TTL input/output of a UART and drive the wires connecting over a distance via RS-232 standard. It is perfectly possible to do the UARTs job in software – not very easy but possible. Voltage changes can’t be done in software.

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Dr. Karlee Tillman

What is the difference between an FTDI chip and a UART?

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