Interface - UARTs (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
HD63450RPS12 Renesas Electronics America	ASYNCH COMMS INTERFACE ADAPTER	1691
COM2017P Fluke Electronics	CMOS UART	8589
SCC2698BE1A84512 NXP Semiconductors	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER	95
SC16C550BIBS157 NXP Semiconductors	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER	1470
COM1863 Fluke Electronics	CMOS UART	90
MAX3107ETG/V+T Maxim Integrated	SPI/IC UART WITH 128-WORD FIFOS	40000
ISL83385CA	RS-232 TRANSMITTER/RECIEVERS, +/	660
CDP1854ACD	PROGRAMMABLE UART	0
MAX3107ETG/V+ Maxim Integrated	SPI/IC UART WITH 128-WORD FIFOS	0
XR16C2550IJ-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 16B DUAL 44PLCC	0
XR16M752IL32TR-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 64B DUAL 32QFN	0
ST16C2450IJ44TR-F MaxLinear	IC UART 2.97V - 5.5V 44PLCC	0
SC16C850LIBS,115 NXP Semiconductors	IC UART SINGLE W/FIFO 32-HVQFN	0
SCC68692C1N40,602 NXP Semiconductors	IC DUART 1MBPS 40DIP	0
XR16V654IQTR-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 64B QUAD 100QFP	0
ST16C1551IJ28-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 16B 28PLCC	0
ST16C452IJ68PS-F MaxLinear	IC UART W/PAR PORT DUAL 68PLCC	0
ST16C650AIQ48TR-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 32B 48TQFP	0
XR16V2651IM-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 32B DUAL 48TQFP	0
SCC2692AC1B44,528 NXP Semiconductors	IC UART DUAL W/FIFO 44QFP	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).