Summary of CH340G – alternative USB to serial IC
This article introduces the CH340G, a low-cost USB-to-serial converter chip priced at 40 cents. The author addresses the lack of native serial ports on modern computers and the high cost of alternative chips. Since the manufacturer only provides datasheets for the CH340T and CH340R versions, the author developed a pinout, Eagle library part, and example schematics specifically for the CH340G to facilitate its use in embedded projects like Arduino.
Parts used in the CH340G Project:
- CH340G chip
- PC (Personal Computer)
- Microcontroller (e.g., Arduino)
- Eagle library part
- Example schematics
Hey, sorry everyone, I know it’s been a while. But I hope this post will make up for that! Anyone who has done embedded programming knows that an easy way for microcontrollers (like arduino) to connect to a PC is through a serial connection. Unfortunately, not many computers have a serial port these days, and while are a lot of chips that will act like a usb-serial converter, they tend to be somewhere in the $3-5 range.
However, I found one chip, the CH340G, that only costs 40 cents! You can buy it on places like Aliexpress. The only problem is getting a working schematic. The company only releases a datasheet for the CH340T and CH340R versions of the chip. By trawling through several sites, I managed to create a pinout, an eagle part, and example schematics for the CH340G. Here they are!
- How can microcontrollers connect to a PC?
They can connect through a serial connection. - Why are many computers not equipped with serial ports?
Not many computers have a serial port these days. - What is the typical cost range for USB-serial converter chips?
They tend to be somewhere in the $3-5 range. - What is the price of the CH340G chip?
The CH340G costs only 40 cents. - Where can you buy the CH340G chip?
You can buy it on places like Aliexpress. - Which versions of the chip does the company release a datasheet for?
The company releases a datasheet for the CH340T and CH340R versions. - What did the author create because the datasheet was missing for the CH340G?
The author created a pinout, an eagle part, and example schematics. - What is the purpose of using the CH340G in this context?
It acts as a USB-serial converter for connecting microcontrollers to a PC.
