Usb serial controller for Android
Android library for USB serial communication with support for multiple chipset families and SPI interface.
What is Usb serial controller for Android?
UsbSerial is an Android library that enables communication with USB serial devices, providing a straightforward API for developers to integrate hardware serial communication into their Android applications. It supports a wide range of popular USB-to-serial chipset families, making it essential for IoT, robotics, and embedded systems projects.
Android developers building applications that require direct communication with USB serial hardware, such as IoT devices, robotics controllers, or embedded systems.
Developers choose UsbSerial for its broad chipset support (including CP210X, FTDI, PL2303, CH34x, and CP2130), its dual asynchronous and synchronous APIs, and its abstraction of complex USB protocols into an easy-to-use interface.
Overview
Usb serial controller for Android
Use Cases
Best For
- Building Android apps that interface with USB-to-serial adapters for data logging or device control.
- Developing IoT applications on Android that require communication with sensors or microcontrollers via USB serial.
- Creating robotics control software on Android tablets or phones that need to send commands to motor drivers or other serial hardware.
- Integrating SPI communication via USB using the CP2130 chipset in Android applications (beta feature).
- Implementing flow control (RTS/CTS, DSR/DTR) in Android apps for reliable serial data transmission with supported devices.
- Prototyping embedded systems interfaces on Android where multiple serial port connections are needed.
Not Ideal For
- Applications targeting Android 5.1.1 Lollipop due to a known system-level bug causing communication issues
- Projects requiring SPI communication with chipsets other than CP2130, as support is limited and beta
- Use cases needing full flow control (RTS/CTS, DSR/DTR) across all device types, since only CP210X and FTDI have complete implementations
- Teams prioritizing minimal third-party dependencies or those needing guaranteed long-term maintenance without community reliance
Pros & Cons
Pros
Supports popular USB-to-serial families like CP210X, FTDI, PL2303, CH34x, and CP2130, covering most adapters used in IoT and embedded systems, as detailed in the Devices Supported section.
Offers both asynchronous callback-based reads and synchronous write/read operations, allowing developers to choose based on application needs, with clear examples in the README.
Enables RTS/CTS and DSR/DTR flow control for supported devices like CP210X and FTDI, enhancing data reliability in noisy environments, though implementation is partial.
Includes beta support for SPI via CP2130 chipset, extending functionality beyond standard serial for embedded projects, though it's noted as unstable and subject to change.
Features a detailed wiki with getting started guides, tutorials, and video resources, making integration easier for developers, as highlighted in the README links.
Cons
Flow control is only implemented for CP210X and FTDI devices, with CDC and PL2303 lacking support, as acknowledged in the TO-DO list, limiting functionality for some hardware.
SPI support is marked as beta, restricted to CP2130, and the API may change, posing risks for production applications relying on this advanced protocol.
Known issue with Android 5.1.1 due to a bug in Android itself, which can cause communication failures, requiring developers to avoid this OS version or implement workarounds.
The README mentions seeking collaborators, indicating potential delays in updates or fixes, which could affect long-term project viability without active maintainer support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
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Async Professional(Newest and maintained version for recent compiler version only). [Delphi] Comprehensive communications toolkit for Embarcadero Delphi, C++Builder, & ActiveX environments. It provides direct access to serial ports, TAPI and the Microsoft Speech API (TTS/Speech recognition). It supports faxing, terminal emulation, VOIP, RAS dial & more. // Seems outdated (last update in 2011) but adapted to XE and should be easy to use in newer versions. The project is also very thoroughly documented. Second link points to an adapted version for newest compiler versions
TComPort. [Delphi] Delphi/C++ Builder serial communications components. It is generally easy to use for basic Serial Communications purposes. // Seems abandoned since 2011
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