1. Introduction
This manual provides instructions for the DTech USB to DB9 Male RS232 Serial Adapter Cable, designed to add a COM port to your computer via a USB port. This allows connection to various serial RS-232 devices.
The cable features gold-plated connectors and copper conductors for signal purity, and foil and copper braided shielding to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) noise. It is powered directly from the USB port, eliminating the need for an external power adapter.
Image 1.1: Overview of the DTech USB to DB9 Male RS232 Serial Adapter Cable, showing the USB-A male connector and the DB9 male serial connector.
2. Package Contents
- 1 x DTech USB to Serial Converter Cable (6 feet)
- 1 x CD Driver (for older systems or offline installation)
3. System Requirements
- Operating System: Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, XP, Vista; Mac OS 8 or higher; Linux 2.4.0 and later.
- Available USB port.
4. Setup and Driver Installation
Important: Do NOT connect the adapter to your serial device or computer until the driver has been installed.
- Driver Acquisition:
- Insert the provided CD Driver into your computer's optical drive and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Alternatively, download the latest driver from the Prolific official website: http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=229&pcid=41 (Navigate to Product Application > Smart I/O > USB to UART/Serial/Printer).
- If the Prolific website is inaccessible, a driver can also be downloaded from: https://app.box.com/folder/154508870573.
- Driver Installation: Follow the instructions provided with the driver package to complete the installation. This typically involves running an executable file and following prompts.
- Connect the Adapter: Once the driver installation is complete, connect the USB Type-A male connector of the DTech cable to an available USB port on your computer.
- Connect to Serial Device: Connect the 9-pin serial RS-232 male connector to your serial device.
Image 4.1: Driver download options and supported operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
5. Operating Instructions
The DTech USB to RS232 Serial Adapter Cable functions as a straight-through cable, enabling communication between your computer's USB port and a serial RS-232 device.
5.1 Identifying the COM Port
After successful driver installation and connecting the cable, your operating system will assign a COM port number to the adapter. You can typically find this in your computer's Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (Mac/Linux) under "Ports (COM & LPT)" or similar categories.
5.2 Connecting to Devices
This adapter is designed to connect various DB9 serial devices, including but not limited to:
- Routers
- GPS devices
- Programming machines
- Barcode scanners
- Label writers
- Modems
- Digital cameras
- Card readers
- Palm PCs and digital organizers
- Microcontrollers
- Printers
- Radios
Image 5.1: Examples of devices that can be connected using the DTech USB to serial adapter, including industrial instruments, PDAs, barcode printers, modems, and set-top boxes.
5.3 Baud Rate Support
The adapter supports a range of baud rates for data transmission. Ensure your connected device is configured to use a compatible baud rate.
Image 5.2: Detailed pinout for the DB9 Male Plug and a list of supported baud rates, ranging from 300bps to 921600bps.
5.4 Important Considerations
- This cable is a straight-through serial cable. It does not function as a null modem cable.
- This adapter is for serial data communication (RS232 logic level) and is not a VGA monitor video cable (D-sub 15 pin).
Image 5.3: Clarification distinguishing the serial data cable (DB9) from a monitor video cable (VGA), highlighting that this product is for serial data only.
6. Maintenance
The DTech USB to RS232 Serial Adapter Cable is designed for durability. To ensure optimal performance and longevity:
- Store the cable in a clean, dry environment when not in use.
- Avoid sharp bends or kinks in the cable to prevent internal damage.
- Do not expose the cable to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight for extended periods.
- Clean the connectors periodically with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove dust or debris.
- The cable's shielding helps protect against EMI/RFI noise; avoid placing it near strong electromagnetic sources.
7. Troubleshooting
7.1 Driver Installation Issues
- Problem: Device not recognized or "Unknown Device" in Device Manager.
- Solution: Ensure the driver was installed before connecting the adapter to your computer. If not, disconnect the adapter, uninstall any partial driver installations, restart your computer, and then reinstall the driver from the provided CD or official website.
- Problem: Driver installation fails.
- Solution: Verify that you have downloaded the correct driver for your operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux) and its specific version. Try running the installer as an administrator.
7.2 Communication Issues
- Problem: Cannot communicate with the serial device.
- Solution:
- Verify the correct COM port is selected in your application software.
- Ensure the baud rate, data bits, parity, and stop bits settings in your software match those of the serial device.
- Confirm the serial device is properly powered and functioning.
- Check that the cable connections are secure at both the USB and DB9 ends.
- Remember this is a straight-through cable; if your device requires a null modem connection, this cable will not work directly.
7.3 General Tips
- Try connecting the adapter to a different USB port on your computer.
- Restart your computer after driver installation or if experiencing persistent issues.
8. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Name | USB to serial adapter PL2303 chip (DT-5002AN) |
| Connector A | USB Type A Male |
| Connector B | 9 pin Serial RS-232 Male |
| USB Specification | USB 2.0 (Backwards compatible with USB 1.1, 1.0) |
| Chipset | Prolific PL2303 |
| Max Baud Rate | 115200bps (up to 921600bps supported) |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, XP, Vista; Mac OS 8+; Linux 2.4.0+ |
| Cable Length | 6 Feet (approximately 1.8 meters) |
| Color | Black |
| Item Weight | 3.52 ounces (0.22 Pounds) |
| Product Dimensions (LxWxH) | 7.87 x 5.91 x 0.71 inches |
| Manufacturer | Guangzhou DTECH Electronics Technology Co.,Ltd |
9. Support and Warranty
For any questions regarding driver installation, product functionality, or technical support, please contact DTech customer service. Refer to the contact information provided with your purchase or on the official DTech website.
This product is manufactured by Guangzhou DTECH Electronics Technology Co.,Ltd.
Warranty information may vary. Please refer to the documentation included with your purchase or contact the seller, DTECH Co.,Ltd, for specific warranty details.
