The FT245R is a USB FIFO interface chip developed by Future Technology Devices International Ltd., and it incorporates the FTDIChip-ID™ security dongle feature. The chip integrates the external EEPROM, clock circuit, and USB resistors, simplifying USB to parallel FIFO interface designs. It supports asynchronous and synchronous bit bang interface modes. Compared with its predecessors, the FT245R adds a new function, making it a “2-in-1” chip for certain application areas. A unique number (the FTDIChip-ID™) is burnt into the device during manufacture and can be read over USB, serving as a security dongle to protect customer application software from being copied. The FT245R is available in Pb-free (RoHS compliant) compact 28-Lead SSOP and QFN-32 packages.
The FT245R provides a USB‑to‑parallel FIFO bridge with both asynchronous and synchronous bit‑bang modes, fully integrated EEPROM, clock circuit, USB resistors and AVCC filtering, reducing external component count. It supports full‑speed USB 2.0 (12 Mb/s) and offers royalty‑free VCP and D2XX drivers for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Key features include a unique, factory‑burned FTDIChip‑ID used as a security dongle, high‑drive I/O options, programmable FIFO timeout, low operating current (15 mA active, ~7 mA suspend) and operation over a –40 °C to +85 °C temperature range. The device is offered in RoHS‑compliant 28‑pin SSOP (FT245RL) and 5 mm × 5 mm QFN‑32 (FT245RQ) packages.
| Maximum data transfer rate (D2XX drivers) | 1 MB/s |
|---|---|
| Maximum data transfer rate (VCP drivers) | 300 kB/s |
| Receive buffer size | 256 bytes |
| Transmit buffer size | 128 bytes |
| Supply voltage range | 3.3 V to 5.25 V |
| Operating temperature range | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Maximum bus power current | 90 mA |
With FTDI’s D2XX drivers the device can transfer up to 1 MB/s, while the VCP drivers provide up to 300 kB/s.
The FT245R works with a supply voltage between 3.3 V and 5.25 V, allowing both bus‑powered and self‑powered designs.