Interface - UARTs (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
TL16C2550IPFBRQ1 Texas Instruments	TL16C2550-Q1 AUTOMOTIVE CATALOG	123960
TL16C750FNR Texas Instruments	TL16C750 SINGLE UART WITH 64-BYT	12752
NS16C2752TVA/NOPB Texas Instruments	NS16C2752 DUAL UART WITH 64-BYTE	0
TL16C550CPTG4 Texas Instruments	TL16C550C SINGLE UART WITH 16-BY	788
TL16C552AFNG4 Texas Instruments	TL16C552A DUAL UART WITH 16-BYTE	644
TL16C554AFNG4 Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT 68-PLCC	14
TL16CP754CIPMG4 Texas Instruments	IC QUAD UART 64BYTE FIFO 64-LQFP	0
TL28L92IFR Texas Instruments	IC RCVR/TX ASYNC DUAL 44QFP	94
TL16C550CIFNRG4 Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT 44PLCC	0
TL16C752BTPTREP Texas Instruments	IC DUAL UART W/FIFO 3.3V 48-LQFP	1538
TL16C550DPFB Texas Instruments	TL16C550D ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICA	653
TL16C552FNG4 Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT 68-PLCC	0
TL16C554FNR Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT 68-PLCC	113
TL16C2550IPFBG4 Texas Instruments	IC DUAL UART 16BYTE FIFO 48-TQFP	0
TL16C2552IFNR Texas Instruments	TL16C2552 1.8-V TO 5-V DUAL UART	12941
TL16C2550IPFBR Texas Instruments	IC DUAL UART 16BYTE FIFO 48-TQFP	952
TL16C2552FNG4 Texas Instruments	IC DUAL UART 1.8V-5V FIFO 44PLCC	0
TL16C550DIPTG4 Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT 48-LQFP	0
TL16C450FNR Texas Instruments	IC ASYNC COMM ELEMENT 44-PLCC	279
TL16C554IFNR Texas Instruments	TL16C554 QUAD UART WITH 16-BYTE	8010

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).