Actually VAG is short for Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft or just Volkswagen AG. AG is the abreviation for the German word for a 'Corporation'. VAG includes Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Škoda, SEAT, Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti. Installing FTDI Drivers. Step #1 is to plug in your FTDI adapter and install the driver (in case it isnt on there already). If you have an FTDI cable proper, there is already a USB A connector on the end. If you are using Windows or Mac OS, you may need to need to download the FTDI driver if you haven't already installed it for.
≡ PagesFavoritedFavorite7
Introduction
In this tutorial, we'll show you how to install FTDI drivers on multiple operating systems. Although this tutorial was written using Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.6, and Ubuntu 13.04, the process should be very similar, if not exactly the same, for other versions/variations of these operating systems.
Suggested Reading
Before you begin this tutorial, you should have the Arduino IDE installed on your computer. Check out our Installing Arduino tutorial for a step by step guide.
Here are some other tutorials and concepts you may want to familiarize yourself with before reading this tutorial:
Alright, let's get to work! You can visit the next section to learn more about the FTDI Basic and why you need the FTDI drivers, or you can skip straight to the operating system of your choice!
Meet the FT232RL
The FT232RL is one of the more commonly used ICs used to convert USB signals to UART signals. This process is very handy in that it allows you communicate with and upload code to an Arduino or other microcontroller without the need for an external programmer. SparkFun carries a board called the FTDI Basic that conveniently breaks out the necessary pins on the FT232RL to perform these actions.
SparkFun's 5V FTDI Basic. Notice the IC--FT232RL.
There are a few different flavors of the FTDI Basic:
FTDI Cable 5V VCC-3.3V I/ODEV-09717
FavoritedFavorite17
FTDI Cable 5VDEV-09718
FavoritedFavorite20
LilyPad FTDI Basic Breakout - 5VDEV-10275
FavoritedFavorite12
SparkFun Arduino Pro Mini Starter Kit - 3.3V/8MHzKIT-15257
FavoritedFavorite2
If you are using a 5 volt device, you will need the 5 volt FTDI. If you have a 3.3 volt device, you guessed it, use a 3.3 volt FTDI. LilyPad boards all operate on 3.3V.
We also carry a complete breakout board for the FT232RL should you need access to more pins than the FTDI Basic provides.
SparkFun USB to Serial Breakout - FT232RLBOB-12731
FavoritedFavorite29
Here is a list of some SparkFun products that require the use of an FTDI Basic, come with an FTDI Basic, or have an FT232RL chip on board:
There are also some legacy Arduino boards that use the FT232RL. The Arduino Diecimila and Duemilanove main boards along with the original Arduino Mega all use the FT232RL IC. If you have one of these older versions, you'll want to use the FDTI drivers as well. For a complete list of all Arduino boards, check out this page. Newer versions of Arduino boards, such as the Uno, use a different communication IC, and they will not be covered in this tutorial.
Now that you know why the FTDI Basic is important and what products it is used for, let's learn how to install the drivers.
Windows - Quick and Easy
Note: The screen shots in this tutorial are from Windows 7. The process should be very similar for other versions of Windows. For most late versions of windows, such as 8.1 through Windows 10, the hardware may work fine without any driver install. If you can't locate a COM port for your hardware, then the set of instructions below is the possible fix. The exception to this is Windows 8. For instructions on how to disable device driver signatures, [please visit this tutorial](https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/disabling-driver-signature-on-windows-8).
Note for Educators: You will most likely need to obtain administrative privileges from your network or IT administrator in order to install these drivers.
Windows - In Depth
Note: The screen shots in this tutorial are from Windows 7. The process should be very similar for other versions of Windows.
Note for Educators: You will most likely need to obtain administrative privileges from your network or IT administrator in order to install these drivers.
Note: You should only need to go through this process once. Every subsequent FTDI device you plug in should now have these drivers associated with it. However, if this is not the case, you can follow these instructions again for other devices.
Note: If you have more than one FTDI device plugged in to your computer at the same time, all of the devices will show up in the Arduino IDE's Serial Port menu and device manager. To figure out which device is which, look under the Arduino IDE's 'Serial Port' menu. Take note of the names of each device. Then unplug the device you want to use. Go back to the 'Serial Port' menu. The device you unplugged should no longer be listed. That is the device you want. Plug it back in, and select the device that has now reappeared.
You can determine what COM port an FTDI device enumerated to by opening the device manager and browsing the 'Ports (COM & LPT)' tree. Mac
Notice: The screen shots in this tutorial are from OS X 10.6. The process should be very similar, if not exactly the same, for other versions of Mac OS X. If you are on OS X 10.10 Yosemite, follow along to install the drivers. If you need to install drivers on Yosemite, please visit the bottom of this section. Most people will be using the VCP drivers and not the D2XX drivers.
Note for Educators: You will most likely need to obtain administrative privileges from your network or IT administrator in order to install these drivers.
Note: You should only need to go through this process once. Every subsequent FTDI device you plug in should now have these drivers associated with it. However, if this is not the case, you can follow these instructions again for other devices.
Note: If you have more than one FTDI device plugged in to your computer at the same time, all of the devices will show up in the Arduino IDE's Serial Port menu and device manager. To figure out which device is which, look under the Arduino IDE's 'Serial Port' menu. Take note of the names of each device. Then unplug the device you want to use. Go back to the 'Serial Port' menu. The device you unplugged should no longer be listed. That is the device you want. Plug it back in, and select the device that has now reappeared.
You can determine what COM port an FTDI device enumerated to by opening the Mac OS X's 'System Information' in Lion or later (or 'System Profiler' in Snow Leopard and earlier versions of Mac OS). This is similar to the device manager used on Windows OS. Browse the Hardware > USB tree to determine what COM port the FTDI enumerated on.
On newer versions of OS X, when you double-click the install packages inside the FTDI disk image, you may be presented with a very Windows-esque type error about not being able to open the files because they are not from an identified developers. This is very similar to the unsigned driver issue in Windows 8.
Quick Fix
To get around this, simply right-click the package you want to install, or press CTRL + click, if you don't have a right-click. Then select open from the menu.
You will then be given another window asking if you are certain. Click Open, and proceed with the installation as stated above.
In-Depth Fix
For a more permanent fix, you can follow these instructions. **However, this method is not suggested as it leaves your computer vulnerable. **
Open your System Preferences.
Once open, click the Security & Privacy icon.
Ftdi Driver Download Exe
Under the General tab, you should see a section about allowing the running of downloaded applications from specific sources. In preveious version of OS X, the default was set to Anywhere. However, the defualt setting is now Mac App Store and identified developers.
![]()
To use the FTDI drivers, you'll need to set this back to Anywhere. First, you may need to click on the little lock icon and enter your admin password to make these changes.
Note for Educators: You may need to get you network administrator to come and unlock the computer in order to install these drivers.
![]()
Once unlocked, click the Anywhere option. Another obnoxious window may appear asking you if you're sure you want to allow this. Click Allow from Anywhere. Or, you can follow the directions in this window, if you don't want to make your Mac 'less secure.'
You should now be able to install the FTDI drivers.
With Mac OS 10.9 (Mavericks) and later, Apple has built their own version of the FTDI VCP driver into the operating system (AN134). However, there seems to be some conflict between drivers from FTDIchip.com and the ones inherent to Apple. Luckily, there is a solution to this problem, and it comes from FTDI directly.
Quick Fix
If you are trying to use the FTDI VCP Driver in your applications, it will not work due to a conflict between the VCP and D2XX drivers. In order to get around this, the Apple supplied Driver must be uninstalled. Plug in the FTDI device in question, and type the following command in a Terminal window:
In-Depth Fix
If the above doesn't work, you may have better luck using this script from FTDI.
Clicking on this file will bring up the Script Editor on all Macs. The script can be run by clicking on the run icon (black triangle). Again, make sure your FTDI device is connected.
You can make this script into a clickable icon by exporting the script as an application. In the Script Editor, select Export… from the File pull down menu:
In the Export dialog, select Application as the File Format. You can choose any name for the application.
You should now have an automated Apple Script icon to use on your Mac. With the Apple supplied Drivers uninstalled, you may return to the top of this section and install the FTDI VCP Driver as needed. Repeat this process for any other FTDI devices you are using. You may need to repeat this every time you restart your computer.
If you receive this error, it means that the driver has been uninstalled already, and you will need to install the FTDI VCP Driver, as stated above.
Linux
Note: The screen shot in this tutorial is from Ubuntu 13.04. The process should be very similar, if not exactly the same, for other versions/variations of this operating system.
Note: You will most likely need to obtain administrative privileges from your network or IT administrator in order to install these drivers.
Note: If you have more than one FTDI device plugged in to your computer at the same time, all of the devices will show up under this menu. To figure out which device is which, look under the 'Serial Port' menu. Take note of the names of each device. Then unplug the device you want to use. Go back to the 'Serial Port' menu. The device you unplugged should no longer be listed. That is the device you want. Plug it back in, and select the device that has now reappeared.
Resources and Going Further
Now that you've successfully got your FTDI up and running, it's time to incorporate it into your own project!
For more hardware specifications, check out the resource below:
SparkFun USB to Serial UART Boards Hookup Guide
How to use the SparkFun FTDI based boards to program an Arduino and access another serial device over the hardware serial port, without unplugging anything!
For more information about the drivers, check out the resources below:
Check out these tutorials to dive even deeper into the world of microcontrollers!
Introduction
Let's talk about FTDI drivers. These drivers are vital to getting many of our products up and running. Some parts that use these drivers include the FTDI basic, Sparkfun Redboard and other Arduino boards that make use of a FTDI chip. And that's just to name a few.
Install Drivers
To get started on a Mac, follow along with these steps.
Ftdi Ft232rl Drivers
note : My Mac is running Mac OS 10.9.5, however these steps should apply to all modern OS versions. There is a different driver version for Mac 10.3-10.8 and Mac OS 10.9 and above. Make sure you select the proper one for your OS.
When working with most of our FTDI products you are going to be using the FTDI as a 'Virtual Com Port' or VCP. This is important to note when looking at the FTDI driver download page. We will NOT be installing any D2XX drivers.
** note : ** This operation will require Administrative access.
Congratulations you have installed your FTDI drivers!
Confirm operation
Now let's make sure your device is showing up when it is plugged into your Mac.
Arduino
note : If you are curious, the numbers after the usbmodem is generally the device's serial number. You can use this to identify specific FTDI devices if you are using multiple units.
Non-Arduino
If you are not using Arduino, for this step we will be using about this Mac.
For more information on installing FTDI drivers on a Mac, check out the official FTDI Mac OSX install guide
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |