Serial to USB adapter, Exsys EX-13078 — USB 2.0 to 8× RS-232 ports, FTDI chipset, metal housing

Exsys EX-13078 is a USB 2.0 to serial adapter that provides eight RS-232 ports from a single USB connection. Designed for use where multiple serial interfaces are required, the adapter uses an FTDI chipset to ensure broad driver support and compatibility with common operating systems. The unit features a metal housing that increases mechanical durability and helps reduce electromagnetic interference when installed in mixed-signal environments.

Advantages

The FTDI chipset offers stable driver support and predictable behavior across Windows, Linux and macOS platforms, simplifying deployment and minimizing configuration time. A compact metal enclosure protects internal components and provides passive EMI shielding, while the multiport design reduces the number of add-on cards or separate converters needed in systems that require multiple RS-232 connections. USB 2.0 connectivity ensures straightforward integration with modern PCs and embedded hosts without requiring a dedicated serial controller card.

Suitable for

• Connecting legacy serial devices to modern computers
• Industrial automation and control systems requiring multiple COM ports
• Point-of-sale (POS) terminals and receipt printers with RS-232 interfaces
• Barcode scanners, label printers and measurement instruments
• Lab equipment and test setups that need several serial connections

Key specifications

• Interface: USB 2.0 host to 8 × RS-232 serial ports
• Serial protocol: RS-232 compatible signal levels and control lines
• Chipset: FTDI series for USB-to-serial conversion
• Housing: metal enclosure for durability and EMI shielding
• Power: USB bus-powered with optional external power support depending on connected devices (check device power requirements)
• Mounting: desk- or rack-friendly compact form factor for equipment integration

How to use

Connect the adapter to an available USB 2.0 port on the host computer and install the manufacturer-provided or FTDI-supplied drivers if the operating system does not automatically recognize the device. After driver installation, the operating system will enumerate multiple virtual COM ports corresponding to the eight RS-232 channels. Attach RS-232 cables from your serial devices to the adapter ports, configure baud rate, parity, stop bits and flow control in the host software or terminal application to match each device, and verify communication by sending and receiving test data.

Recommendations

Use quality shielded RS-232 cables to maintain signal integrity over longer runs and reduce noise. When connecting multiple powered devices, verify that each peripheral’s power requirements do not exceed what the USB host can safely supply; use an external power source for high-power devices if necessary. Keep driver packages up to date and map virtual COM ports consistently in your system settings to avoid conflicts in multi-application environments.