Mouser Electronics Expands FTDI Product Portfolio of USB Interface ICs Featuring New Security Feature

Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it is stocking FTDI USB ICs that can be equipped with SafeGuard-IT, an ActiveX software control. SafeGuard-IT provides a software security dongle capability when used with the hardware-based FTDIChip-ID feature and FTDI ICs FT232R USB UART and FT245R USB FIFO. FTDI (Future Technology Devices International Limited) is a leading supplier of silicon and software solutions for the Universal Serial Bus (USB).

The FTDIChip-ID has a unique 32-bit number burned into the IC device during manufacture. The ID is then readable over a connected USB port and forms the basis of a security check to prevent the use of unlicensed copies of application software.

An asymmetric cryptography technique using both public and private keys is incorporated into the SafeGuard-IT control. The encrypted private key and optional password are based on the FTDIChip-ID and programmed back into the IC’s integrated EEPROM, which provides an easy-to-deploy method of software protection and a high level of security. With this approach, SafeGuard-IT protected software packages can be compiled once and then distributed with the public key and SafeGuard-IT DLL to decrypt the information.

“One of Mouser’s core competencies is to rapidly stock and market new product solutions for our design engineering customers,” said Mike Scott, Mouser’s Vice President of Active Products. “Stocking FTDI’s USB ICs that can utilize the SafeGuard-IT control allows our engineering customers to have access to the latest technologies for their new product designs.”

Mouser’s broad-based product line, unsurpassed customer service, and streamlined warehouse operations make the distributor the design engineer’s one-stop shop for all the components and associated development tools necessary for total project design.

Mouser Electronics is the only major distributor to publish a new 1,900+ page print catalog every 90 days. In addition, its website with interactive online catalog is updated daily, contains more than 890,000 products for easy online purchase, provides over 1.5 million cross-references, as well as more than 677,000 downloadable data sheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, and other technical design information.



About Mouser

Mouser Electronics, Inc. is an electronic component distributor, focused on the rapid introduction of new products and technologies to electronic design engineers. Mouser.com features over 890,000 products online from more than 335 manufacturers. Mouser’s 1,900+ page catalog is published every 90 days, providing designers with up-to-date data on the components now available for the next generation of electronic devices. Mouser ships globally to over 280,000 customers in 170 countries from its 432,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility in Mansfield, Texas. For more information, visit www.mouser.com.



About FTDI

Future Technology Devices International (FTDI) specializes in the design and supply of silicon and software solutions for the Universal Serial Bus (USB). FTDI offers a simple route to USB migration by combining easy to implement IC devices with proven, ready to use, royalty-free USB firmware and driver software. The company’s single and multi-channel USB peripheral devices come with an easy to use UART or FIFO interface, which can be used in legacy USB to RS232/RS422 converter applications or to quickly interface an MCU, PLD, or FPGA to USB. A wide range of evaluation kits and modules are available to evaluate FTDI’s silicon prior to design-in.

Vinculum is FTDI’s brand name for a range of USB Host / Slave Controller ICs that provide easy implementation of USB host controller functionality within products, and utilize FTDI's embedded firmware to significantly reduce development costs and time to market.

FTDI is a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Glasgow, UK, and has regional offices in Oregon, USA, and Taipei, Taiwan. More information is available at http://www.ftdichip.com



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Mouser and Mouser Electronics are registered trademarks of Mouser Electronics, Inc. All other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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