U2irda Mini 4 Mbps Fir Usb Irda 20 [macOS]
The label on the tiny dongle was a mouthful: U2IrDA Mini 4 MBPS FIR USB IrDA 20. Leo called it “The Cricket.”
Legacy Device Sync: Ideal for syncing older PDAs (like Palm Pilots), mobile phones, and medical instruments that lack Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. U2IrDA Mini 4 MBPS FIR USB IrDA 20
Title: Bridging the Gap: The U2IrDA Mini 4 MBPS FIR USB IrDA Adapter and the Legacy of Wireless Connectivity The label on the tiny dongle was a
Printing: Connecting to older printers equipped with infrared interfaces. Where to Buy & Support Connect: Plug the adapter into your PC/Laptop USB port
On Windows 10/11 (No Native IrDA Stack)
Microsoft removed built-in IrDA support after Windows 7. To proceed, use IrCOMM2k, an open-source virtual serial port emulator.
Problem 2: Extremely Slow Transfer (115.2 kbps instead of 4 Mbps)
Solution: Ensure both devices are set to FIR mode. Some PDAs default to "Low Power" or "SIR" to save battery. Force 4 Mbps on both ends. Also, reduce the distance to 20 cm. FIR requires a stronger signal than SIR.
Compact Design: Often described as a "mini" dongle, it is bus-powered (no external power supply needed) and highly portable.
- Connect: Plug the adapter into your PC/Laptop USB port.
- Detect: Wait for the driver to install (automatic on most OS).
- Align: Point the infrared eye toward the target device (e.g., a medical monitor or industrial controller).
- Transfer: Send or receive data at high 4 Mbps speeds.
- AliExpress / eBay : Expect to pay $10–$25. Search for "USB IrDA FIR 4M" or "USB to IrDA 4Mbps dongle."
- Avoid "IrDA USB 115.2k" only : Many cheap dongles on Amazon claim IrDA but only support SIR (115.2k). They will not work for firmware flashing or high-speed transfers.
- Look for the Chipset : The best dongles use a SigmaTel STIR4200 or Infineon (now Intel) IRLAN chipset. Avoid no-name chips that only emulate a mouse.
- Beware of "UART to IrDA" : Those are modules for embedded design, not USB dongles.