The host port on the TC8916 receives a broadcast message from the host controller and broadcasts the message out through all the ports at the same time. Only the RTU that matches this ID number will respond. Anti-streaming capability is provided for each channel to prevent a single node failure from disabling the system. A channel will be disabled if it transmits beyond a pre-set length of time. Once OFF, it will attempt to resume communications after a jam condition is off.
Interfaces can be mixed or matched in increments of four.
Connectors are RJ-11. In many applications the TC8916's RS-232 user ports are extended via a fiber optic modem or multiplexer.