As modem data transfer rates increase to 28.8 Kbps and beyond, more and more demands are placed on the host CPU. To meet this demand for faster transmission, with fewer lost characters and system crashes, Texas Instruments has introduced the TL16C750 UART with a 64-byte FIFO (First-In, First-Out) buffer. The TL16C750 is the only 64-byte FIFO product available today.
TI’s new deep FIFO buffered UART can hold more data before generating an interrupt request, which then allows the CPU to continue working as data is transmitted. Most UARTs on the market today have 16-byte FIFOs which means that they interrupt the CPU more often than TI's new 64-byte FIFO part. In addition, the device features hardware auto flow control which relieves the host CPU of having to monitor flow status information. This means that it only has to read interrupts and data, thus maximizing the system efficiency.
For the low voltage and portable market, the device offers 5-V and 3-V operation, sleep mode and low power mode. These modes reduce power to the UART when no data is transmitted, in order to save energy.
The TL16C750 is available now from Texas Instruments and authorized
distributors. The TL16C750 is pin-to-pin compatible with TI’s
existing TL16C550B/C products.
Suggested resale price is quoted per device in quantities of 1,000:
TL16C750FN : $6.95
TL16C750PM : $7.95
Vol 12, Summer, 1995