CP2109-A01-GM View Datasheet(PDF) - Silicon Laboratories
Part Name
Description
Manufacturer
CP2109-A01-GM Datasheet PDF : 26 Pages
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CP2102/9
9. CP2102/9 Device Drivers
There are two sets of device drivers available for the CP2102/9 devices: the Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers and
the USBXpress Direct Access drivers. Only one set of drivers is necessary to interface with the device.
The latest drivers are available at http://www.silabs.com/support/Pages/software-downloads.aspx.
9.1. Virtual COM Port Drivers
The CP2102/9 Virtual COM Port (VCP) device drivers allow a CP2102/9-based device to appear to the PC's
application software as a COM port. Application software running on the PC accesses the CP2102/9-based device
as it would access a standard hardware COM port. However, actual data transfer between the PC and the CP2102/
9 device is performed over the USB interface. Therefore, existing COM port applications may be used to transfer
data via the USB to the CP2102/9-based device without modifying the application. See “AN197: Serial
Communications Guide for the CP210x” for Example Code for Interfacing to a CP2102/9 using the Virtual COM
drivers.
9.2. USBXpress Drivers
The Silicon Laboratories USBXpress drivers provide an alternate solution for interfacing with CP2102/9 devices.
No Serial Port protocol expertise is required. Instead, a simple, high-level application program interface (API) is
used to provide simpler CP210x connectivity and functionality. The USBXpress for CP210x Development Kit
includes Windows device drivers, Windows device driver installer and uninstallers, and a host interface function
library (host API) provided in the form of a Windows Dynamic Link Library (DLL). The USBXpress driver set is
recommended for new products that also include new PC software. The USBXpress interface is described in
“AN169: USBXpress® Programmer's Guide.”
9.3. Driver Customization
In addition to customizing the device as described in "8. Internal Programmable ROM" on page 17, the drivers and
the drivers installation package can be also be customized. See “AN220: USB Driver Customization” for more
information on generating customized VCP and USBXpress drivers.
9.4. Driver Certification
The default drivers that are shipped with the CP2102/9 are Microsoft WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs)
certified. The certification means that the drivers have been tested by Microsoft and their latest operating systems
(2000, Server 2003, XP, Vista, 7, and 8) will allow the drivers to be installed without any warnings or errors. Some
installations of Windows will prevent unsigned drivers from being installed at all.
The customized drivers that are generated using the AN220 software are not automatically certified. They must
first go through the Microsoft Driver Reseller Submission process. Contact Silicon Laboratories support for
assistance with this process.
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Rev. 1.8
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