The Aerocomm USB Board is a board that creates a USB interface between an Aerocomm (now Laird Technologies) AC4790 or AC4490 900 MHz serial modem.  These modems provide a RF link to any serial device with up to 1 watt of power.  They are used in a number of SSCL projects including HABET, LABET and MAVRIC.

For these boards we used a FTDI 232BM which provides the USB interface.  The FTDI 232BM also allows for storing a configuration into EEProm in order to instruct the USB to allow for the full 500 mA available from a typical USB port.  This allows us to create a serial link between the Aerocomm and computer and also power¹ the Aerocomm board which makes this a plug and play solution for interfacing the Aerocomm to a PC.

1 - The AC4790 will draw close to 500 mA and full power mode has not been fully tested yet.  Some USB ports (like on laptops) may not be able to provide the full 500 mA