The USB to serial (ttl) adapter can be used to connect to your microcontroller/Raspberry Pi/WiFi router serial console port. The power pin provides the 5V @ 500mA direct from the USB port and the RX/TX pins are 3.3V level for interfacing with the most common 3.3V logic level chipsets. There is also a 3.3v output to power 3.3v devices.
The chipset is the PL2303HXA (see drivers below). The datasheet can be downloaded here.
This adapter is ideal for powering and connecting up to the debug/login console on the Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black.
This adapter is not good for Arduino re-programming because it does not have the DTR/RTS wire necessary for initiating the bootloader reboot sequence. For that we suggest a Foca USB to Serial Converter.
PINOUT
3.3v
5v
TXD
RXD
GND