USB to Serial Port Converter ATEN KU2-232A Short — USB to RS-232 adapter, compact cable

The ATEN KU2-232A Short is a compact USB 2.0 to serial (RS-232 / COM) adapter that connects legacy serial devices to modern USB ports. It uses an FTDI chip with a 96‑byte buffer, supports data rates up to 1 Mbps and is supplied with a driver CD. The short form factor and included 0.8 m USB extension cable make it suitable for installations with limited space. Compatible with a wide range of Windows versions and older macOS systems, the adapter allows connection of modems, cameras, chip programmers, card readers and other RS-232 peripherals.

Advantages

The adapter provides reliable USB-to-RS232 conversion using an FTDI chipset, offering stable data transfer up to 1 Mbps and a built-in 96-byte buffer. It does not require IRQ configuration and supports serial mice. Its compact short cable design plus the included 0.8 m USB extension cable simplify placement in constrained environments. Drivers are provided on CD for legacy systems.

Suitable for

• Connecting RS-232 modems to notebooks and desktops
• Interfacing industrial equipment and POS devices with USB-only hosts
• Programming chips and connecting serial cameras or card readers
• Working with legacy peripherals that require a DB9 (Canon 9‑pin) male connector

Key specifications

• Interface: USB 2.0 to RS-232 (COM)
• Chipset: FTDI
• Maximum data rate: up to 1 Mbps
• Buffer: 96 bytes
• Connector: DB9 (Canon) 9‑pin male
• Included cable: short adapter body + 0.8 m USB extension cable
• Drivers: included on CD
• Compatibility: Windows 98/SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista/Win7 and iMac OS 8.6+

How to use

Install the supplied drivers from the CD on the host computer or download appropriate FTDI drivers if the CD is unavailable. Connect the USB end to a free USB 2.0 port and attach the device requiring RS-232 communication to the DB9 male connector. Verify the COM port assignment in the operating system serial port settings and configure baud rate and other serial parameters according to the peripheral's requirements.

Usage recommendations

For stable operation, use a direct USB 2.0 port on the host rather than an unpowered hub. If modern OS versions provide native FTDI support, confirm the driver version matches the adapter to avoid compatibility issues. Keep the CD or driver download source available for installations on legacy systems.