This adapter allows the MD-100 Universal Controller to be plugged into a standard USB port rather than an RS-232 port of a computer. It is actually an adapter that converts the RS-232 cable of the MD-100 Universal controller into a USB cable. A software driver has to be loaded into the Windows based computer, and the configuration file of Sci-Spec or Sci-LDA has to modified. However, no special software coding is required as standard RS-232 commands will operate the MD-100 despite it is being routed through this USB adapter. The MD-100 is simply referenced through a virtual COM port number. The RS-232 port is assigned the next available Com port number in your computer, such as Com3, Com4, Com5, etc. The adapter is designed for connections through your USB port with up to 230 kbps data transfer rate. The MD-100 can also be converted back to using the RS-232 port by simply removing the adapter and modifiying a field in the configuration file.