Black Box Explains... 16950 UART
16950 UART.
Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitters (UARTs) are integrated circuits that convert bytes from the computer bus into serial bits for transmission. By providing surplus memory in a buffer, UARTs help applications overcome the factors that can hinder system performance, providing maximum throughput to high-performance peripherals without slowing down CPUs.
Early UARTs such as 8250 and 16450 did not include buffering (RAM or memory). With the advent of higher-speed communication devices, the need for UARTs that could handle more data became critical. The first buffered UART was the 16550, which incorporates a 16-byte First In First Out (FIFO) buffer and provides greater throughput than its predecessors.
Manufacturers have recently been developing enhanced UARTs that continue to increase performance standards.
These new, faster chips provide improvements such as larger buffers, increased speeds, and more. For example, the 16650 UART features a 32-byte FIFO, and the 16750 outdoes the 16650 with a 64-byte FIFO.
The 16950, the latest enhanced UART, features a 128-byte FIFO buffer and, when implemented with the appropriate onboard drivers and receivers, can enable your onboard serial ports to achieve data rates of up to 460.8 kbps—and beyond. The 16950 UART provides revolutionary features, including automatic handshaking (RTS/CTS) and automatic RS-485 line control. The 16950 also features external clocking for isochronous applications, a performance enhancement not offered by earlier UARTs.
By choosing products with advanced UARTs, you’re taking a step toward eliminating the data bottleneck in your PC.
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