PCI interface, ultra fast UARTs and a parallel port move to a single chip

For PCI bus interfacing the OX16PCI952 from Oxford Semiconductor brings together a PCI interface, two high performance serial channels and a parallel port in one compact 128 pin TQFP package. Offering dual 15Mbps UARTs and an IEEE 1284 port, this highly integrated bridge device provides a simple upgrade path to multi-function add-in expansion cards.

Using the fastest available internal UART, the 16C950, on each serial channel, users get a standard data rate of 15Mbps in asynchronous mode and the additional benefit of deep transmit and receive FIFOs allows even higher data rates. 128 bytes deep, the FIFOs help reduce CPU overhead and increase driver efficiency, such that a baud rate up to 60Mbps is readily achieved in external 1 x clock mode.

To simplify product design, each channel of the OX16PCI952 is software compatible with widely used 16C550 type devices as well as Oxford's own OX16C950 family of high performance UARTs. The full set of OX16C950 features is provided, including automated in-band flow control and readable FIFO levels. The parallel port fully supports the Centronics interface standard.

This 32-bit, 33MHz PCI interface chip is compliant with version 2.2 of the PCI bus specification and version 1.0 of the PCI power management specification. To enhance device flexibility, all default register values can be overwritten using the option of a MicrowireT serial EEPROM.

To further boost device driver efficiency and help reduce latency, the internal UARTs offer multi-port features including shadowed FIFO fill levels, a global interrupt source register and good-data status, readable in two adjacent DWORD registers visible in IO and memory space.

The launch price through distribution for the OX16PCI952 bridge chip is $9.72 for more than 1000 pieces. The device is supported by an evaluation board and driver development software.