Leica GEV189 USB Download Cable is primarily used for transferring data between Leica Total Stations and a PC. While it is natively compatible with Windows 7 and 8, using it on Windows 10 often requires specific driver versions or manual installation steps due to its reliance on Prolific USB-to-Serial chips. Microsoft Community Hub Driver Installation for Windows 10
To ensure the cable works correctly on Windows 10, follow these guidelines: Official Driver Versions Driver Version 1.1.0.0
or later, which officially supports Windows 10 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Driver Sources : You can find the necessary drivers on the Leica Geosystems website or through specialized portals like DriverScape Manual Installation Steps Do Not Plug In Yet : Install the driver software connecting the cable to your PC. Device Manager : If the cable is not recognized, open Device Manager and look for a "USB device" with a yellow warning icon. Update Driver
: Right-click the warned device, select "Update Driver," and navigate to the folder where you extracted the driver files. Verify COM Port : Once installed, the cable should appear under Ports (COM & LPT) as a "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port". Common Issues & Troubleshooting PL2303 issues (Prolific USB to Serial Drivers) Win 11 Usb Download Cable Gev189 Driver Windows 10
3. Select "USB Smart I/O Controllers -->> USB to Serial/Parallel" 4. Select "PL2303 -- Driver & Software" <<-- for PL2303HXD chip. Microsoft Community Hub Windows 11 Prolific Driver Setup
Driver needed: Prolific PL-2303 (most GEV189 cables use this chip)
Windows 10 issue: Older PL-2303 chips (HXA, XA, TA) are not supported by latest official drivers.
The "GEV189" USB Download Cable is typically a generic programming and debugging tool used for embedded systems, specifically associated with GOWIN Semiconductor FPGAs or as a generic JTAG/UART adapter (often clones of the FTDI or Cypress reference designs). Leica GEV189 USB Download Cable is primarily used
Unlike major consumer brands, this device does not have a standalone "driver download" page from a primary vendor. Instead, the driver is embedded within the development software suite provided by the chip manufacturer.
The GEV189 is not a standard USB-to-serial adapter like a FTDI or Prolific-based cable; it is a dedicated programming interface often used with GE’s Logicmaster, VersaPro, or Proficy Machine Edition software. The cable typically contains a proprietary chipset (sometimes based on a Silicon Labs CP210x or an older custom ASIC) that requires a specific INF driver file to be recognized as a COM port.
When plugged into a Windows 10 PC without the correct driver, the cable will appear in Device Manager as an “Unknown Device,” under “Other Devices,” or with a yellow exclamation mark. Windows 10 may automatically attempt to install a generic driver, but this often fails because the cable’s USB Vendor ID (VID) and Product ID (PID) are not in Microsoft’s standard driver database. ✅ Quick Solution Summary Driver needed: Prolific PL-2303
Before proceeding, it is critical to identify the specific hardware chip inside the cable, as this dictates the driver required.
How to verify: Open Windows Device Manager with the cable plugged in. Look for a device under "Other Devices" or "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" named something like "USB Cable," "Gowin USB Cable," or "USB <-> Serial."
The GEV189 is a specialized USB-to-serial (TTL/RS232) programming cable designed primarily for GE Fanuc (now Emerson) automation equipment. It is commonly used to:
Unlike standard USB-to-RS232 adapters, the GEV189 cable houses a proprietary logic-level converter and a specific USB bridge chip (often a Silicon Labs CP210x or FTDI FT232R, depending on the clone vs. original). The driver you need depends entirely on which chipset your cable uses.
After installation, connect the GEV189 to a USB port (preferably USB 2.0, not 3.0). Wait 10 seconds. The driver should auto-load.