Application Report
SLLA180 – September 2005

Transitioning to TI’s TL16C2550 from ST16C2550 orSC16C2550
Kevin T. Harris .................................................................................................. Interface Business Unit

1Introduction
This document provides a functional and physical comparison of the Texas Instruments TL16C2550, theExar ST16C2550, and the Philips SC16C2550.

2

Hardware Differences
These devices are all available in a 48-Pin QFP package and a 44-Pin PLCC package. Both the 48-Pin
QFP packages and the 44-Pin PLCC packages are pin-for-pin compatible among all three manufacturers’devices. Philips and Exar offer a 40-Pin DIP package, while TI offers a very space-efficient 32-Pin QFN
package.
Operating voltages vary among the manufacturers. The TI TL16C2550 is the only one designed to operate
as low as 1.8V, but it can operate with supplies up to 5V as the others do.

3

Firmware Differences
All three manufacturers’ devices are functionally equivalent; therefore, firmware written to utilize the basic
subset of the 16C2550 functionality will be fully compatible with all devices. However, TI and Philips offer
enhanced functionality on the devices. Philips chooses to implement software flow control, while TI
continues to offer its patented “Auto Flow Control” feature. TI’s “Auto Flow Control” feature requires lessfirmware code to implement than Philips’ software flow control. The use of these enhanced functions by
the firmware would render that section of firmware code incompatible with the other devices respectively.

SLLA180 – September 2005

Transitioning to TI’s TL16C2550 from ST16C2550 or SC16C2550

1

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