APPLICATION NOTE NO. 68
Using USB Ports to Communicate with Sea-Bird Instruments
Revised June 2009

Print version

Most Sea-Bird instruments use the RS-232 protocol for transmitting setup commands to the instrument and receiving data from the instrument. However, many newer PCs and laptop computers have USB port(s) instead of RS-232 serial port(s).

USB serial adapters are available commercially. These adapters plug into the USB port, and allow one or more serial devices to be connected through the adapter. Sea-Bird tested USB serial adapters from several manufacturers on computers at Sea-Bird, and verified compatibility with our instruments. These manufacturers and the tested adapters are:

• FTDI (www.ftdichip.com) --
  "ChiPi" USB-RS232 Converter (model # FTDI UC232R-10).
  Note: This adapter can also be purchased from Sea-Bird, as Sea-Bird part # 20200.
  Drivers for this adapter can be found at www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.
• IOGEAR (www.iogear.com) --
  USB 1.1 to Serial Converter Cable (model # GUC232A).
  Note: We have had several reports from customers that they could not communicate with their instrument using a laptop computer and this adapter.
• Keyspan (www.keyspan.com) --
  USB 4-Port Serial Adapter (part # USA-49WLC, replacing part # USA-49W).
  Note: We have one report from a customer that he could not communicate with his instrument using a notebook computer and this adapter. He was able to successfully communicate with the instrument using an XH8290 DSE Serial USB Adapter (www.dse.co.nz).
• Edgeport (www.ionetworks.com) --
  Standard Serial Converter Edgeport/2 (part # 301-1000-02)

Other USB adapters from these manufacturers, and adapters from other manufacturers, may also be compatible with Sea-Bird instruments.

We recommend testing any adapters, including those listed above, with the instrument and the computer you will use it with before deployment, to verify that there is no problem.

Note: See Application Note 56: Interfacing to RS-485 Sensors for information on using a USB port to communicate with a Sea-Bird instrument that communicates via RS-485 telemetry.

Last modified: 05 May 2010

Sea-Bird Home     Phone: (+1) 425-643-9866     Fax: (+1) 425-643-9954     E-mail: seabird@seabird.com