Texas Instruments TL16C554PNR

Overview

TL16C554PNR from Texas Instruments is a quadruple UART IC integrating four enhanced TL16C550B asynchronous communications elements (ACEs) with shared steering logic, supporting up to 1-Mbaud serial communication at 16-MHz clock input, 16-byte FIFO buffering per channel, programmable baud rate division (1 to 65535), and full modem control (CTS/RTS/DSR/DTR/RI/DCD). It serves as a high-density serial interface controller in industrial PC backplanes and multi-port terminal servers.

For engineers reviewing the TL16C554PNR datasheet, TL16C554PNR pinout, TL16C554PNR application, or TL16C554PNR equivalent, key selection criteria include its 80-pin TQFP (PN) package, quad-channel FIFO mode operation, TTL-compatible 3-state bus interface, independent interrupt handling per channel, and support for legacy TL16C450 register compatibility.

Technical Context

The TL16C554PNR implements four independent UART channels sharing a common 8-bit bidirectional data bus (D7–D0), address decoding (A0–A2), and chip-select logic (CSA–CSD), each with dedicated transmit/receive FIFOs, baud rate generators, and modem status/control registers. Its internal architecture supports both TL16C450 register-level compatibility and enhanced FIFO mode with configurable trigger levels (1/4/8/14 bytes).

Each channel features fully programmable serial framing (5–8 data bits, 1/1.5/2 stop bits, even/odd/no parity), false start-bit detection, line-break generation/detection, and comprehensive error reporting (overrun, framing, parity, break). Interrupt prioritization is hardware-resolved across four INTx outputs plus shared INTN control.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TL16C554PNR uses an 80-pin Thin Quad Flat Package (TQFP) with 0.5-mm pitch, exposing four UART channels (A–D), 8-bit data bus (D0–D7), address lines (A0–A2), four chip selects (CSA–CSD), four interrupt outputs (INTA–INTD), and full modem control signals (RTS/CTS/DSR/DTR/RI/DCD) per channel.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar quadruple UART applications.

Compared with EXAR XR16L784IL72-F and MAX3100CEE+, TL16C554PNR uniquely delivers 5-V tolerant parallel-bus quad UART functionality with full modem control and ISA-compatible timing-critical for industrial backplane and legacy PC expansion applications where register compatibility and voltage margin are non-negotiable.

Availability

TL16C554PNR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial terminal servers, legacy PC expansion cards, multi-port data acquisition systems, and point-of-sale peripheral hubs requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for TL16C554PNR includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies with over 50 years of industrial interface IC development.

The TL16C554PNR belongs to TI's legacy communications interface product line, designed specifically for high-reliability, multi-channel serial connectivity in industrial computing, telecommunications infrastructure, and embedded control systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum supported baud rate for TL16C554PNR?

The TL16C554PNR supports up to 1 Mbit/s operation when driven by its maximum 16-MHz input clock. This is achieved using the internal 16× oversampling clock derived from the programmable baud rate generator, which divides the reference clock by values from 1 to 65,535 to precisely target standard and custom serial rates.

Does TL16C554PNR support FIFO mode and how does it improve system performance?

Yes, TL16C554PNR supports FIFO mode with 16-byte transmit and receive buffers per channel. This reduces CPU interrupt frequency by up to 16× compared to single-byte operation, minimizes data loss during high-throughput transfers, and enables efficient DMA-ready signaling via TXRDY and RXRDY outputs-critical for real-time industrial communication.

Is TL16C554PNR pin-compatible with earlier UARTs like the TL16C550B?

No, TL16C554PNR is not pin-compatible with single-channel UARTs such as TL16C550B due to its quadruple architecture and 80-pin TQFP package. However, each of its four internal ACEs maintains register-level compatibility with TL16C550B, allowing reuse of existing driver software with appropriate address decoding and chip-select logic.

What modem control signals are provided per channel on TL16C554PNR?

TL16C554PNR provides full hardware modem control per channel: RTS, CTS, DSR, DTR, RI, and DCD. Each signal is individually routed to pins (e.g., RTSA/CTSA/DSRA/DTRA/RIA/DCDA for Channel A), enabling independent flow control and status monitoring across all four UARTs without shared resource contention.

What is the operating voltage range and temperature specification for TL16C554PNR?

TL16C554PNR operates from 4.75 V to 5.25 V and is specified for 0°C to 70°C ambient temperature. These parameters ensure reliable performance in commercial-grade industrial equipment, including PC add-in cards and embedded controllers where stable 5-V rail regulation and moderate thermal environments are typical.