Designers of PC expansion boards, such as fax/modems, memory or graphics cards, can include Plug and Play (PnP) capabilities with one of two new devices from Texas Instruments. With PnP capabilities, users are relieved of much of the re-configuration burden when an expansion board is added to a PC. The Windows 95 operating system and its BIOS recognize the requirements of PnP compatible boards or modules in the system and resources are automatically allocated to service them.
Designated the TL16PNP550A, TI's new PnP compatible Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) completes the serial-to-parallel and parallel-to-serial data conversions needed for a PC's serial port. Due to internal FIFOs, it can buffer as much as 16 bytes of information. By buffering received and transmitted characters, the device can relieve the system's CPU from excessive software overhead. The 'PNP550A has a simple three-pin interface to EEPROM memory where information needed during auto-configuration is stored. The TL16PNP550A also provides the board designer with a high degree of flexibility because it includes 10 interrupt pins.
The TL16PNP100A is a stand-alone PnP controller that supports two logical devices. It can be used on a PC board to provide PnP capabilities. The device features a simple, three-pin interface to EEPROM memory where information needed during PnP's auto-configuration process is stored. This tri-state interface allows another on-board controller access to the EEPROM. The device has six interrupt pins and interfaces directly to the PC's ISA/AT bus.
The TL16PNP550A and TL16PNP100A are available now from TI and authorized distributors.
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TL16PNP550A 68-pin PLCC $5.60
TL16PNP100A 44-pin PLCC $3.00
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Suggested resale pricing in U.S. dollars in 1K quantities.
Download the PNP 550A Data sheet and the PNP 100A 
Data sheet
March 1996, vol. 13, no. 2
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