Be aware of the FTDI chips fakes

There´s only one original, even though with a fake, it´s possible to “gain” also something unwanted - hours of debugging and costs for exchange.
This is an archive article published 06/25/2014. Some information may no longer be up to date and in line with the current state. Please contact us in case of interest.

Copying of products and components is perhaps as old as an industrial production is. Logically - it´s easier to jump up to a “running train” (to copy a renowned product) than to develop something new. Everyone, who develops an electronic device probably can confirm, that it´s demanding and expensive. Similarly it´s also at development of chips. Well known and widely used chips for a USB interface . from company FTDI belong to the most popular on the market. No wonder, that it´s fakes appeared on the market, with the same appearance as an original (on the first sight). Despite the fact, that the price of the FT232RL chip is relatively very affordable, a vision of a cheaper purchase was certainly attractive though expensively paid at the end.

On the enclosed photo, there´s an original on the left side and the fake on the right side. It´s visible, that the original has a laser engraved marking, while the fake has it only printed. But that wouldn´t be a problem… Fake worked so-so well until the time, when FTDI upgraded drivers with a utility able to detect fake products. In case of fake, the USB communication fails (sends only zeroes).

On the enclosed photo, there´s an original on the left side and the fake on the right side. It´s visible, that the original has a laser engraved marking, while the fake has it only printed. But that wouldn´t be a problem… Fake worked so-so well until the time, when FTDI upgraded drivers with a utility able to detect fake products. In case of fake, the USB communication fails (sends only zeroes).

The result is clear in this case - exchange of non-working fakes from target devices (from customers! is significantly more expensive that a usage of an original would be. And how to be certain about the authenticity of the component? - by a purchase from an authorized distributor. SOS electronic is already for many years an authorized distributor of FTDI with a close cooperation and an above-standard technical support.

In case of interest, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.

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