# Developer Friendly FTDI **URL:** \ **Category:** Spotlight\ **Created:** [December 12, 2018, 5:08pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853 "2018-12-12T17:08:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/bryan_monti/32/3491_2.png) [@Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Bryan_Monti)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 5:08pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/1 "2018-12-12T17:08:45Z")
When using Pixhawk hardware combined with a companion PC, it is typical to be using some form of an FTDI USB serial adapter to connect to the Pixhawks TELEM2 port. These generic FTDI USB adapters aren’t built with Pixhawk use in mind, therefore lack connectors and proper configuration for plug-and-play use. @mhkabir and myself have solved this problem by creating our own FTDI adapter to be plug and play compatible with all Pixhawks FMUv2 and up (JST-GH 6-pin connector). We follow the Dronecode standard for pin to pin compatibility, so setting up is as simple as connecting a USB cable and the 6-pin JST-GH to the Pixhawk. [![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0006/9854/8284/products/photo_2018-03-27_01-04-17_1024x1024@2x.jpg?v=1522128188) ](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0006/9854/8284/products/photo_2018-03-27_01-04-17_1024x1024@2x.jpg?v=1522128188) We also worked in some nifty features such as: - Flow control: to give you the best serial port reliability and speed - Solder pads: for connecting USB and serial lines for increased reliability (no connectors needed) - Power switching: can choose between companion and pixhawk 5v to power FTDI I’ve been using this in various projects and it always speeds up development time to have something simple to setup with the Pixhawk hardware. You can find a link to purchase/check it out here: [JST-GH FTDI Adapter](https://pixdev.myshopify.com/products/ftdi-breakout-jst-gh) The Intel NUC shown below is this model (NUC7i7DN): [https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/mini-pcs/nuc-kits/NUC7i7DN\_TechProdSpec.pdf](https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/mini-pcs/nuc-kits/NUC7i7DN_TechProdSpec.pdf) Example: FTDI breakout connected to companion computer (NUC) and Pixhawk 4 using a USB Mini B cables and 6-pin JST-GH to 6-pin JST-GH below. NOTE: It is ALWAYS recommended to solder the USB cable data and power wires to the FTDI board with an appropriate connector on the other end connecting to your companion computer securely. ![](https://discuss.px4.io/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0ca8e95fb2026aebb45e39b31431cea9707132b8.jpg) Ideal configuration: ![](https://discuss.px4.io/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b21b00deb566cd4e62a654f5778080bf39299ea9.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Vrinda](https://discuss.px4.io/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@Vrinda](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Vrinda)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/2 "2018-12-12T17:42:52Z")
Hello @Bryan_Monti ! This is very nice. Please can you upload a picture showing connections to any companion computer (as per your time) both here as well as on the purchase link. This will be helpful for beginners. Thanks much. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/bryan_monti/32/3491_2.png) [@Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Bryan_Monti)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/4 "2018-12-12T18:17:58Z")
These are drastically different FTDI adapters. I list these differences below: - The adapter you posted runs the IO at 5v default and, as far as I’m aware, supplies 5v from the FTDI with no option to cut it out on the board meaning you have to cut the red wire before connecting to the Pixhawk for safe use. - The CTS/RTS pins for flow control are broken out as 0.1" headers instead of properly integrated into the JST-GH for plug-and-play use - That FTDI doesn’t cotain Tx/Rx LEDs for debugging purposes (from what I can see here, listing doesn’t say anything either). Once set up properly, that FTDI can be used with the Pixhawk but seems like far too much work to set up properly. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/bryan_monti/32/3491_2.png) [@Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Bryan_Monti)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/5 "2018-12-12T18:33:52Z")
Working on this now 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Vrinda](https://discuss.px4.io/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@Vrinda](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Vrinda)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/6 "2018-12-12T19:37:25Z")
Thank you very much @Bryan_Monti 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JulianOes](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/julianoes/32/30_2.png) [@JulianOes](https://discuss.px4.io/u/JulianOes)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 6:37am UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/7 "2018-12-13T06:37:16Z")
May I ask why you chose Mini USB instead of Micro USB? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/bryan_monti/32/3491_2.png) [@Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Bryan_Monti)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/8 "2018-12-13T16:06:21Z")
Sure! It’s mainly due to the larger area of contact with solder so the connector/board itself can handle more stress around that area. Usually micro only has 2-4 small anchor points whereas there are 4 large contact points on the Mini B connector. Also have found the overall connector to be more reliable than micro. Ideally, if you know this is going to be mounted permanently you should be soldering to the pads on the bottom of the device and shrink wrapping it. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/bryan_monti/32/3491_2.png) [@Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Bryan_Monti)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/9 "2018-12-13T17:34:10Z")
Added the picture 🙂 Is this enough? Will add to listing later on. ---
**Author:** ![Vrinda](https://discuss.px4.io/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@Vrinda](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Vrinda)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/10 "2018-12-13T17:37:13Z")
Thanks much @Bryan_Monti 🙂 This is cool ! ---
**Author:** ![Al\_B](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/al_b/32/2717_2.png) [@Al\_B](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Al_B)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/11 "2018-12-13T20:27:00Z")
@Vrinda, if you are planning use a necked Intel NUC as your onboard computer, then I suggest you connect the FTDI adapter to one of the two 1.25mm pitch USB motherboard connectors instead (see N & P below); which in that case, you can use [this adapter](https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/UMFT234XD-NC/768-1176-ND/3904923/?itemSeq=269721746) and connect only GND, Tx, Rx to the adapter using [this cable](https://store.mrobotics.io/mRo-6-Pins-JST-GH-to-Bare-Cable-Tin-MRC0235-p/mrc0235.htm) on one side and [this one](https://www.ebay.com/i/264049747334?chn=ps) on the other side. Then, just cover the adapter with clear heat-shrink once you’re done soldering the cables to it. ![](https://discuss.px4.io/uploads/default/original/2X/f/f19c16355f4ac2344694bd2e7c7e3173edf0da96.png) ![](https://discuss.px4.io/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b00e51e79d2ea08c799c5c4dd5a70007fd18427e.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/bryan_monti/32/3491_2.png) [@Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Bryan_Monti)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/12 "2018-12-13T20:47:31Z")
Be careful when linking to generic NUC layouts without specifying model numbers. I have a NUC (7th gen) that has the USB 2.0 4-pin PicoBlade 1.25mm pitch connectors in a different location. I don’t think that 3-pin DF13 will work on Pixhawk v1 for the TELEM2 port, since it is a 6-pin connector. Please revise your post so that people do not purchase the wrong cables/parts. Also note that adapter does have CTS/RTS broken out for flow control, which you should make use of to increase serial link reliability! ---
**Author:** ![Al\_B](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/al_b/32/2717_2.png) [@Al\_B](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Al_B)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/13 "2018-12-13T21:14:00Z")
@Bryan_Monti, I actually will be more concerned with your suggestion on using the USB plugs on the NUC and on your FTDI adapter (as shown in your picture above) since they are not tolerant to induced vibrations or misalignment; which causes connection failures. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/bryan_monti/32/3491_2.png) [@Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Bryan_Monti)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/14 "2018-12-13T23:28:40Z")
@Al_B I’m sorry about that, it is misleading. I’ll update the picture to mention that this is just one use-case and it is recommended to solder the USB lines to a proper header connector for installation. In this case though, the FTDI you linked originally should be removed or have an amendment added mentioning you cannot solder to the USB lines on the board thus making it unreliable in high-vibration environments. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_B](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/al_b/32/2717_2.png) [@Al\_B](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Al_B)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 11:40pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/15 "2018-12-13T23:40:04Z")
@Bryan_Monti, your point is well taken so I’ve removed it. Also, thank you for the suggestion on connecting the CTS/RTS pins to increase serial link reliability. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/bryan_monti/32/3491_2.png) [@Bryan\_Monti](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Bryan_Monti)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 11:53pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/16 "2018-12-13T23:53:59Z")
Awesome 🙂 It should make log download speeds (and everything else) a little less sporadic. Also in your launch file for ROS/MAVROS you need to enable hardware flow control. I’m going to write some docs up on that over the weekend unless it is somewhere that I haven’t seen. ---
**Author:** ![Vrinda](https://discuss.px4.io/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@Vrinda](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Vrinda)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/17 "2018-12-14T19:37:30Z")
Hello @Al_B ! Thank you for sharing this with me. However I am intending to use Raspberry pi as my companion computer. ---
**Author:** ![JingerZ](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/jingerz/32/4264_2.png) [@JingerZ](https://discuss.px4.io/u/JingerZ)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 8:55am UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/18 "2019-04-15T08:55:22Z")
@Bryan_Monti I’m working with Seeed Studio to revamp their drone category: [https://www.seeedstudio.com/category/Drones-c-85.html](https://www.seeedstudio.com/category/Drones-c-85.html) ; is this something they can sell on their platform? ---
**Author:** ![Astrantis](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/astrantis/32/8884_2.png) [@Astrantis](https://discuss.px4.io/u/Astrantis)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 8:11am UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/19 "2021-08-03T08:11:33Z")
@Bryan_Monti and PX4 Community, I ordered the FTDI on 19th June 2021, but no order confirmation email and no shipment yet. Can you help here? is the item still on sale? the $40 payment was processed successfully. [https://pixdev.myshopify.com/698548284/orders/9be055dd0b08f6b5e223e45d7da08f67](https://pixdev.myshopify.com/698548284/orders/9be055dd0b08f6b5e223e45d7da08f67) ![CaptureFTDIPurchase](https://discuss.px4.io/uploads/default/original/2X/e/efade6d288386ad6a0572e4483ff373a789ac1d8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![harryhancock](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/harryhancock/32/9817_2.png) [@harryhancock](https://discuss.px4.io/u/harryhancock)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 12:02am UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/20 "2021-12-06T00:02:52Z")
Hey @Bryan_Monti do you still have any of the FTDI cable kit for the pixhawk available? ---
**Author:** ![JosepBC](https://discuss.px4.io/user_avatar/discuss.px4.io/josepbc/32/7777_2.png) [@JosepBC](https://discuss.px4.io/u/JosepBC)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853/21 "2021-12-09T22:30:31Z")
Hey, there is a possibility of buying this from you @Bryan_Monti or getting all the schematics and parts list to order one somewhre? [Next page](https://discuss.px4.io/t/developer-friendly-ftdi/8853.md?page=2)