Interface - UARTs (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
SC28L91A1B,551 NXP Semiconductors	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER	0
SC28L194A1A,512 NXP Semiconductors	IC UART QUAD W/FIFO 68-PLCC	0
XR16V654IL-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 64B QUAD 48QFN	248
TL28L92FR Texas Instruments	TL28L92 3.3-V/5-V DUAL UNIVERSAL	10139
XR16M2650IM48	HIGH PERFORMANCE DUART	295
TL16C550DIRHBRG4 Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT 32-VQFN	0
FT233HPQ-TRAY Future Technology Devices International, Ltd.	IC SERIAL USB-C UART QFN-64	0
ST16C650AIQ48	UART WITH FIFO	71
XR16V2551IM	HIGH PERFORMANCE DUART	271
CS82C50A-5Z Intersil (Renesas Electronics America)	IC COMMUNICATION ELEMENT 44-PLCC	0
PC16550DV	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER	14739
ST16C554CQ64-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 16B QUAD 64LQFP	3253
SC16C554DBIA68,518 NXP Semiconductors	IC UART QUAD 68PLCC	0
ST16C654CQ64-F MaxLinear	IC UART FIFO 64B QUAD 64LQFP	74
TL16C550DIPT Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT 48-LQFP	75
SC26C92A1B551 NXP Semiconductors	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER	56
TL16C550DIRHB Texas Instruments	TL16C550D ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICA	45884
TL16PIR552PH Texas Instruments	SERIAL I/O CONTROLLER	33
SC16C554BIB64,157 NXP Semiconductors	IC UART QUAD 64LQFP	0
ID8251AB	ID8251 - PROGRAMMABLE COMMUNICAT	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).