CAST Expands UART Core Library with Sophisticated C16MX750

 May 23, 2001, IP Japan, Yokohama, Japan - Semiconductor intellectual property (IP) provider CAST, Inc. today announced the immediate availability of a new core, the C16MX750 Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART). The C16MX750 can emulate the function of several popular UART devices, and it adds IrDA-standard infrared communication functions and extra FIFO memory elements to make it suitable for a broader range of communications applications.

The C16MX750 joins CAST's broad family of popular UART cores, including the asynchronous and synchronous C16450 and C16550, the C6850, C8250, and C8251, and the compact C_UART. Available in synthesizable VHDL or Verilog or optimized for Altera or Xilinx devices, this group makes CAST one of the best "one stop shopping" sources for UART cores. Designers from advanced system-on-chip (SoC) architects to replacement part engineers can choose UART solutions from a spectrum of functional, performance, CPU compatibility, and pricing variations.

"We have one of the broadest, most mature, most commercially-proven set of UART cores on the market," said Newton Abdalla, CAST vice president for intellectual property. "We've been developing and supporting quality UART cores since 1998, and nearly forty satisfied customers agree that we know how to do it."

About the C16MX750 Core

The C16MX750 is based on the Texas Instruments TL16C750[tm]. It is software compatible with the 16450 and 16550 UARTs, but also features extensions that make it a better choice for some applications:

FIFO mode reduces CPU interrupts by buffering the transmitter and the receiver with programmable 16- or 64-byte FIFOs.
The built-in IrDA-compliant functions enable serial communication with wireless PDAs or network printers through standard infrared ports.

The HDL version of the C16MX750 synthesizes to about 6,500 gates, depending on the target technology. The Altera and Xilinx versions are also compact and fast, for example: 

The C16MX750 core is available now. Pricing varies by deliverable format and technology; licensing is straightforward, flexible, and royalty-free. Custom modification services are also available, and may be used for example to implement different FIFO sizes for the transmitter and receiver, removal of the internal baud rate generator, or interfacing to a different CPU.

The C16MX750 core was developed by CAST partner Moxsyn S.r.l.

About CAST, Inc.

CAST provides practical, affordable IP products and services for designers of 8- and 16-bit microprocessor-based systems. Operating since 1994, the company has a reputation for quality products, flexible licensing, and responsive, comprehensive support. The company is located near New York City, and works with an international network of IP developers and distributors.