FT245R / FT245RL FIFO USB-to-Parallel Communication Development Module

Unlock fast, reliable USB-to-parallel data transfer with this FT245R / FT245RL FIFO USB-to-Parallel Communication Development Module. Built around FTDI's proven FT245RL chip, this compact SMD module delivers a straightforward bridge between a USB host and an 8-bit parallel data bus — making it an ideal foundation for microcontroller projects, custom firmware development, and high-speed data acquisition systems.

Key Features

FT245RL Chipset: Industry-standard FTDI chip offering full USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) compliance and a simple 8-bit FIFO parallel interface.
High-Speed FIFO Buffering: 128-byte transmit buffer and 384-byte receive buffer for smooth, uninterrupted data flow between USB host and parallel bus.
No External Crystal Required: Integrated clock generation simplifies your PCB design and reduces component count.
Broad OS Support: Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux via standard FTDI VCP (Virtual COM Port) or D2XX drivers — no custom driver development needed.
Arduino & MCU Compatible: Works seamlessly with Arduino, STM32, PIC, AVR, and other popular development platforms.
SMD Construction: Surface-mount design for a compact footprint; each order includes the SMD-assembled module ready for integration.
On-Board USB Connector: Standard USB Type-B or Mini-USB interface (depending on board revision) for plug-and-play connectivity.
Power & Signal Indicators: On-board LEDs for power status and TX/RX activity give instant visual feedback during development.
3.3V / 5V I/O Logic: Flexible I/O voltage levels to suit a wide range of target systems.

What's in the Box

1 × FT245R / FT245RL FIFO USB-to-Parallel Communication Development Module (SMD)

Typical Applications

High-speed USB data acquisition and logging
USB interface for FPGA and CPLD development boards
Custom USB peripheral prototyping
Firmware development and debugging tools
Industrial automation and control systems

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the FT245R FT245RL FIFO USB-to-Parallel module do?

A: This module uses the FTDI FT245RL chip to bridge a USB host connection to an 8-bit parallel FIFO data bus. It allows microcontrollers, FPGAs, and other digital systems to send and receive data over USB without implementing a complex USB stack — the FT245RL handles all USB protocol management internally, presenting a simple read/write parallel interface to your hardware.

Q: Is this module compatible with Arduino and other development boards?

A: Yes. The FT245RL FIFO module is compatible with Arduino, STM32, AVR, PIC, and most popular MCU platforms. FTDI provides free VCP and D2XX drivers for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and there are well-documented libraries available for Arduino and other ecosystems to get you up and running quickly.

Q: What is the difference between VCP and D2XX driver modes for this module?

A: In VCP (Virtual COM Port) mode, the module appears as a standard serial COM port on your computer, making it easy to communicate with terminal software or existing serial libraries. In D2XX mode, you use FTDI's direct driver API for higher throughput and finer control over the FIFO buffers — ideal for performance-sensitive or custom USB application development.

Q: What voltage levels does the FT245RL module support?

A: The FT245RL supports both 3.3V and 5V I/O logic levels, offering flexibility when interfacing with a variety of target devices and development boards operating at either voltage standard.

Production & Packaging Notice

To maintain high stock availability and fast shipping times, our items are sourced from multiple verified manufacturing facilities. While the core quality, materials, and product specifications remain identical, you may notice slight variations in the packaging design, manufacturing origin, or the wording of the printed instructions.