UART Stick - Inspired by SanDisk Flash Drive

It all started when I saw this USB edge connector on a SanDisk flash drive.

I thought — “Why not build something cool on top of that connector?”

That’s when the idea hit me:

Let’s make a USB to UART converter… but super compact.

Something that doesn’t need a USB cable. Something that plugs directly into your laptop.So I jumped into Whimsical, sketched out the idea, and here’s what came out:

Building it Step by Step

Then open up KiCad and designed the schematic — simple, clean, and based on the CH340G chip.

After that, it was time to route the PCB, generate Gerber files, and send them off for manufacturing.

Want the full story?

I’ve documented the entire UART Stick build in a YouTube series — step by step.

Watch Now: 𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗲

First Try — It Just Worked

Once the boards arrived, I assembled the first one…Plugged it in…

And it worked on the first go. No bugs. No smoke. 😂

What is UART Stick ?

UART Stick is a tiny, Arduino-friendly USB to UART converter that plugs directly into your laptop — no USB cable needed.

Use-case

• Flashing firmware (ESP32, STM32, Arduino)
• Talking to Bluetooth modules (HC-05, HM-10)
• Debugging sensors
• Accessing serial terminals on headless boards

Features

• Compact Size – Smaller than a flash drive
• Edge USB Connector – Direct plug-in
• Power / RX / TX LEDs – Easy debugging
• CH340G Inside – Reliable and Arduino-friendly
• 3.3V / 5V logic support
• Open Source – Modify, remix, or build your own

Specs

• IC – CH340G
• Logic Level – 3.3v/5v
• USB Plug – Edge mounted USB-A
• Board Size – 52.25mm X 12mm
• LED – Power, Rx. Tx

How to Use :

1. Plug UART Stick into your USB port

2. Connect wires to your board:

• VCC → 3.3V/5V
• RX → TX
• TX → RX
• GND → GND

3. Open Arduino IDE or Serial Monitor

4. Select COM Port

5. Flash code or read serial data!

🛒 Buy Now!

Want your own UART Stick? 👉 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺

Let's Chat

Do you think UART Stick would be useful on your bench? Would you like any new features in future versions?

Let me know what you’d add or change — your feedback helps shape the next iteration.

Made with ❤️ by Hardik

𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝙵𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠⤵︎

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