- Description
- Specifications
1-Foot USB to Null Modem Serial Cable with FTDI Chipset, DB9 RS232 Female Connector, COM Port Retention, and Level-4 ESD Protection for Direct DCE Serial Communication
The StarTech 1P1FFCN-USB-SERIAL is a 1-foot (30 cm) USB to null modem serial cable that adds an RS-232 DCE serial port to any computer through USB-A, resolving DCE/DTE conflicts directly without additional cross-wired cables or adapters. The FTDI FT232R chipset delivers reliable serial communication at baud rates up to 921.6 Kbps with 128-byte RX and 256-byte TX FIFO buffers, while COM port retention automatically reassigns the same COM port value after disconnection or reboot for consistent device mapping.
The DB9 female connector with interchangeable nuts and screws accommodates both device-mount and cable-to-cable configurations, and gold-plated contacts with copper shielding ensure signal integrity across the full operating range of -40 to 80 degrees Celsius. Level-4 ESD protection rated at 15kV air and 8kV contact discharge protects connected equipment in industrial and commercial environments where static events are common. Drivers auto-install on Windows 7+, macOS 10.15+, ChromeOS, and Linux for true plug-and-play deployment.
Where the StarTech USB to Null Modem Cable Fits
- Industrial serial equipment needing direct DCE communication from a USB-equipped PC where the null modem pinout eliminates the need for separate crossover cables or gender changers between the computer and DCE devices like PLCs, sensors, barcode scanners, and receipt printers
- POS terminals and digital signage installations requiring persistent COM port assignments where COM retention ensures the serial device reconnects on the same port after power cycles or cable disconnections, preventing application errors from port reassignment
- Harsh environments with static discharge risk where Level-4 ESD protection (15kV air/8kV contact), copper shielding against EMI/RFI, and a rugged molded TPE housing withstand daily use in warehouses, factory floors, and outdoor kiosks operating between -40 and 80 degrees Celsius
What the StarTech USB to Null Modem Cable Delivers
- FTDI FT232R with 921.6 Kbps Throughput: Industry-standard FTDI chipset supports baud rates up to 921.6 Kbps with 128-byte RX and 256-byte TX FIFO buffers, 7/8 data bits, 1/2 stop bits, and five parity modes for broad serial protocol compatibility.
- Null Modem DCE Pinout: DB9 female connector with null modem wiring resolves DCE/DTE conflicts at the cable level, connecting directly to DTE serial devices without requiring additional crossover adapters or custom-wired cables.
- COM Port Retention and LED Monitoring: Automatic COM port reassignment after disconnection or reboot maintains consistent device mapping, while dedicated TX, RX, and USB LEDs provide real-time visibility into port activity and connection status.
- Interchangeable DB9 Nuts and Screws: Pre-installed DB9 nuts secure the adapter to devices with threaded studs, or swap to the included slotted thumbscrews for compatibility with serial peripherals and cables that use screw-mount connectors.
- Level-4 ESD and Industrial-Grade Build: 15kV air and 8kV contact ESD protection with copper shielding, gold-plated connectors, and molded TPE housing rated for -40 to 80 degrees Celsius delivers reliability across industrial, commercial, and field deployments.
What Is a Null Modem Cable?
A null modem cable crosses the transmit and receive pins internally so two DTE devices (or a DTE host and a DCE device that expects DTE wiring) can communicate without an external modem or crossover adapter. The StarTech 1P1FFCN-USB-SERIAL integrates this null modem crossover into the USB-to-serial converter itself, presenting a DCE RS-232 port that connects directly to DTE equipment. This eliminates the separate crossover cable from the signal chain, reducing potential failure points and simplifying cable management in tight installations.
