Interface - UARTs (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
TL16C2550IRHBR Texas Instruments	16-BYTE DUAL-FIFO UART	17927
TL16C2550RHBR Texas Instruments	IC DUAL UART 1.8V-5V FIFO 32VQFN	0
SC26C92C1A,518 NXP Semiconductors	IC DUART 1MBPS 44PLCC	500
XR16L788IQ-F MaxLinear	IC UART 64B 3.3V OCTAL 100QFP	1209
TL16C552FNR Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT DUAL68PLCC	58
XR16L784CV-F MaxLinear	IC UART 8B 3.3V QUAD 64LQFP	135
XR16V2551IL	HIGH PERFORMANCE DUART	480
SC16C752BIBS,128 NXP Semiconductors	IC DUAL UART 64BYTE 32HVQFN	11933
XR16L2552IM	DUART WITH FIFO	574
XR16L2552IJ	DUART WITH FIFO	5907
SC16C650BIBS,151 NXP Semiconductors	IC UART SINGLE W/FIFO 32-HVQFN	0
ST16C654IJ68TR-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 64B QUAD 68PLCC	0
ST16C452CJ68PS	SIPEX TELECOM CIRCUIT 1-FUNC	662
SCC2681AE1A44,518 NXP Semiconductors	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER	21
TL16C550CPTR Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT 48-LQFP	1439
XR16L2550ILTR-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 16B DUAL 32QFN	0
XR16V2650IL	HIGH PERFORMANCE DUART WITH 32-B	351
ST16C2450IJ44	SIPEX PRESCLR 8401 SERIES 1-FUNC	1206
SC28C94A1A,512 NXP Semiconductors	IC UART QUAD W/FIFO 52-PLCC	3325
SC26C92A1A NXP Semiconductors	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER, 2 CHANNEL	0

Interface - UARTs (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter)

1. Overview

UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) is a digital integrated circuit that converts parallel data to serial format for transmission and vice versa. It implements asynchronous serial communication protocols using start/stop bits without shared clock signals. UARTs play critical roles in device-to-device communication across industrial automation, consumer electronics, IoT devices, and automotive systems due to their simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

2. Major Types & Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Standard UART	Basic async serial conversion, 8N1 format support	PC serial ports, sensor interfaces
Multi-channel UART	Supports multiple independent serial channels	Industrial controllers, server management
High-speed UART	Operates at >1Mbps baud rates	Wireless modems, industrial Ethernet gateways
FIFO UART	Integrated transmit/receive buffers (16-256 bytes)	Embedded systems, IoT hubs
IrDA UART	Infrared data association protocol support	Wireless payment terminals, remote controls

3. Structure & Composition

Typical UART architecture includes:

Transmitter section with parallel-to-serial converter
Receiver section with serial-to-parallel converter
Programmable baud rate generator
Control logic for data format configuration
Optional FIFO buffers and flow control (RTS/CTS)

Available in standard packages (DIP, SOIC) and QFN formats. High integration level devices may include GPIOs and clock generators.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Baud Rate Range (110-921.6kbps)	Determines communication speed compatibility
Data Bits (5-8 bits)	Affects payload capacity
Stop Bits (1-2 bits)	Impacts timing tolerance
Parity Check (Even/Odd/None)	Error detection capability
Operating Voltage (1.8-5V)	System power supply compatibility
Package Type	PCB space and thermal requirements

5. Application Fields

Telecommunications: Modems, ISDN terminals
Industrial Automation: PLCs, SCADA systems
Consumer Electronics: Smart meters, wearable devices
Medical Devices: Patient monitors, diagnostic equipment
Automotive: OBD-II interfaces, telematics units

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
TI	TL16C750B	16-byte FIFO, 1.5Mbps, industrial temp range
NXP	SC16IS752	I2C/SPI interface, 2-channel, 5Mbps
Microchip	MCP2200	USB-to-UART bridge, on-chip EEPROM
STMicro	ST16C550	256-byte FIFO, 5V tolerant I/O
Infineon	KINetis UART	Automotive qualified, LIN bus support

7. Selection Recommendations

Consider these factors when selecting UART ICs:

Match baud rate requirements with system clock capabilities
Verify data format compatibility (bits/parity/stop)
Assess interface voltage levels (3.3V vs 5V)
Evaluate operating temperature range for industrial/environmental applications
Consider package size constraints (QFN vs TSSOP)
Check FIFO depth requirements for high-speed applications
Analyze need for additional features (IrDA, LIN, GPIO)
Compare power consumption specifications for battery-operated devices

8. Industry Trends

Future development directions include:

Increased integration with wireless interfaces (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi)
Higher speed capabilities (>10Mbps) for industrial IoT
Lower power consumption through advanced CMOS processes
Enhanced protocol support (CANbus, Ethernet integration)
Smart UARTs with built-in security features (AES encryption)
Standardization of UART-over-USB solutions

Market growth driven by automotive electronics and industrial automation demands, with projected CAGR of 6.2% through 2027 (Source: Grand View Research).