CP2104EK Silicon Laboratories Inc, CP2104EK Datasheet - Page 18

KIT EVAL FOR CP2104

CP2104EK

Manufacturer Part Number
CP2104EK
Description
KIT EVAL FOR CP2104
Manufacturer
Silicon Laboratories Inc
Datasheets

Specifications of CP2104EK

Main Purpose
Interface, USB 2.0 to UART (RS485) Bridge
Embedded
No
Utilized Ic / Part
CP2104
Primary Attributes
Full Speed (12Mbps)
Secondary Attributes
LED Status Indicators
Interface Type
RS-232, USB
Operating Supply Voltage
3.3 V
Product
Interface Development Tools
For Use With/related Products
CP2104
Lead Free Status / RoHS Status
Lead free / RoHS Compliant
Lead Free Status / RoHS Status
Lead free / RoHS Compliant
Other names
336-2007
CP2104
10. CP2104 Device Drivers
There are two sets of device drivers available for CP2104 devices: the Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers and the
USBXpress Direct Access drivers. Only one set of drivers is necessary to interface with the device.
The latest drivers are available at http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/SoftwareDownloads.aspx.
10.1. Virtual COM Port Drivers
The CP2104 Virtual COM Port (VCP) device drivers allow a CP2104-based device to appear to the PC's
application software as a COM port. Application software running on the PC accesses the CP2104-based device
as it would access a standard hardware COM port. However, actual data transfer between the PC and the CP2104
device is performed over the USB interface. Therefore, existing COM port applications may be used to transfer
data via the USB to the CP2104-based device without modifying the application.
See application note “AN197:
Serial Communications Guide for the CP210x” for Example Code for Interfacing to a CP2104 using the Virtual
COM drivers.
10.2. USBXpress Drivers
The Silicon Labs USBXpress drivers provide an alternate solution for interfacing with CP2104 devices. No serial
port protocol expertise is required. Instead, a simple, high-level application program interface (API) is used to
provide simpler CP210x connectivity and functionality. The USBXpress for CP210x Development Kit includes
Windows device drivers, Windows device driver installer and uninstallers, and a host interface function library (host
API) provided in the form of a Windows dynamic link library (DLL). The USBXpress driver set is recommended for
new products that also include new PC software. The USBXpress interface is described in application note
“AN169: USBXpress Programmer's Guide.”
10.3. Driver Customization
In addition to customizing the device as described in "6. Asynchronous Serial Data Bus (UART) Interface" on page
11, the drivers and the drivers installation package can be also be customized. See application note “AN220: USB
Driver Customization” for more information on generating customized VCP and USBXpress drivers.
Important Note: The VID/PID in the drivers must match the VID/PID in the device for the drivers to load properly
then the device is connected to the PC.
10.4. Driver Certification
The default drivers that are shipped with the CP2104 are Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL)
certified. The certification means that the drivers have been tested by Microsoft and their latest operating systems
will allow the drivers to be installed without any warnings or errors.
The customized drivers that are generated using the “AN220: USB Driver Customization” software are not
automatically certified. To become certified, they must go first through the Microsoft Driver Reseller Submission
process. Contact Silicon Labs support for assistance with this process.
18
Rev. 1.0

Related parts for CP2104EK