Especially cheaper USB cables can only be used for powering a device, while the data wires are simply not connected. For these, you need the CP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP driver.įirst check if your USB cable is correct. Some other development boards come with a CP2102 serial controller, including NodeMCU and a Doodle Bot I bought. dev/cu.usbserial or /dev/cu.usbserial-DQ008BU0). Just connect your development board and look for a device in the /dev/ directory (e.g. Since this driver is preinstalled on macOS Maverick and higher, it may just work out of the box. The Prolific driver version 1.4.0 created a new device socket under Mac OS X, /dev/cu.usbserial.įor most development boards (such as the Arduino or Pycom), you most likely need the USB FTDI driver.

Nanjin QinHeng Electronics CH341 (CH340G).įor a USB-to-serial adapter with Prolific PL-2303 controller, you can download the driver from the Prolific website or from the manufacturer you bought the cable from.Silicon Laboratories CP210x (CP2102), or.These drivers are often called Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers. The driver you need depends on the chipset you are communication with. If you create your own UTP cables, you can easily make one yourself. As with the null modem cable, beware that you might need a cross-over UTP cable. There are cables or adapters that plug into a regular UTP cable. In case your serial port is a RJ45 connector (which may be the case on network hardware), you also need a DB-9 to RJ-45 convertor. If it is about 1 centimeter long, the cabling is 'straight' and it will not work as a serial cable (these straight connectors are used to extend old VGA cables). If the connector is about 4 centimeter long, this is probably the case. You can also buy a female-to-female DB9 connector, but make sure that the internal wiring is cross-over like is the case with a null modem. The USB-to-serial cable, as well as the network device will have a DB9-male connector. A null modem cable is a cable with DB9-female connectors on both ends. Make sure to also purchase a null modem cable, or a female-to-female DB9 connector. The Prolific PL-2303 is a very common controller, and one I recommend. Like mine, the actual conversion from USB to serial is done by a Prolific PL-2303 USB to Serial Bridge Controller buried in the connector. I bought a Icidu C-707607 USB to Serial cable.

In case the serial port is a DB-9 connector or RJ45 connector, you need a USB-to-serial adapter. Top right: two different methods to convert a DB-9 to a RJ45 connector. Bottom right: male-to-female DB-9 adapter. Bottom center: a USB-to-serial adapter with male DB-9 connector. On the left: regular USB cable with micro-B and mini-B connector.

Mac os x serial terminal emulator