16850

The 16850 is a type of Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) integrated circuit, designed by National Semiconductor. It was introduced in 1980 and is notable for its simplicity and widespread use in various electronic devices. The 16850 is a direct successor to the 16450, with the primary difference being the inclusion of a FIFO (First-In-First-Out) buffer. This buffer allows for the temporary storage of data, reducing the likelihood of data loss due to transmission errors or timing mismatches.

The 16850 operates at a baud rate of up to 115.2 kbps and supports data lengths of 5 to 8 bits, with options for parity and stop bits. It communicates with a host system via a set of control and status registers, which can be accessed using standard I/O instructions. The chip also includes a programmable baud rate generator, allowing for flexible communication speeds.

Due to its simplicity and low cost, the 16850 has been widely used in embedded systems, personal computers, and other electronic devices. It has also been a popular choice for educational purposes, as it provides a clear and straightforward example of UART functionality. However, with the advancement of technology, the 16850 has largely been replaced by more advanced UARTs with higher data rates and additional features.