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1993-03-11
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16550 - A UART Control Program
Version 1.0
DESCRIPTION:
16550 is a shareware program designed to allow the 'unlocking'
of the internal fifo buffer present in the UART chip of the same
name. The program will scan all four COM ports (COM1: - COM4:)
available on the PC and report the presence (if any...) of the
16550 UART. The user may optionally set the various parameters
necessary to utilize this buffered mode of operation.
DISCUSSION:
The original PC serial interface specification utilized the
8250 Programmable Communications Interface, or UART. This device
converts data from the microprocessor into a format that is
easily transmittable via a single-wire connection. To accomplish
this task, the UART takes data from the computer in a parallel
format (ie: the bits are presented side-by-side) and shifts them
out via a single pin in a serial (one bit directly after another,
daisy-chain fashion) data stream. Various extra bits are added
such as the start, parity and stop bits to provide the UART on
the other end of the serial data connection with an accurate
means for the re-assembly of the original data format.
In the early days of serial communications, particularly that
involving data transmission via telephone lines, the speed at
which the data was transmitted wasn't particularly fast. This is
especially true with telephone lines. The normal voice-grade line
is extremely limited in it's sound-reproduction qualities. This
low bandwidth implied that any data must be transmitted very
slowly to avoid 'overloading' the line. For voice-grade lines,
the maximum reliable data rate was 300 baud, using the Bell 103
modem specification. (A modem translates the on/off binary pulses
into a tone so that the telephone line will treat it as regular
'voice' information.)
The UART, of course had to be able to translate data at the
same rate in order for the system to work. Other serial devices
such as terminals and printers did not require a modem, but in
most cases the data rate was still quite slow, usually under
19,200 baud.
In the PC, when using the serial port(s) directly, such as
sending a file to a serial printer, the 8250 UART (or the updated
16450 version) was more than able to keep up. Even in a
telecommunications link, the UART was still fast enough, since
the data over the phone line was relatively slow.
Another point was that the early PC's weren't terribly fast.
This was made worse when running a communications program such as
ProComm or CrossTalk. Since the data rates were slow, there was
enough time for the computer to run the program instructions
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16550 - A UART Control Program
while fetching the individual bytes as they came in over the
serial link. Even at 9600 baud, a very-well
written comm program was able to keep up with the data.
Time progressed and technology improved serial communications
(particularly that of modems) to the point where extremely high
data rates could be achieved. The new V32.bis modems are capable
of transfer rates of up to 14,400 baud, and with the V42.bis
compression, data burst rates of over 57,000 baud are feasible.
Of course, software became more complex as well, but with a
price. The more complicated the software, the more time it takes
to handle the program instructions. Couple this with the fact
that the data is coming in at an extremely high rate, and you
have a potential problem on your hands!
What typically happens is a data overrun occurs. This means
that there was still a byte of data left in the UART when the
next byte came in. Naturally, a loss of just one single byte is
enough to crash a program, so this is a very important concern!
One way around the problem is a handshake scheme, whereby the
transmitting computer holds off sending data until the receiving
end is ready. This works very well, but one major drawback is
that a great deal of time is wasted signalling instead of
transferring data.
The 16550 UART gets around this bottlenecking by incorporating
a buffer directly in the chip itself. This buffer is designed to
hold up to 16 bytes (or characters) before an overrun occurs. The
buffer is arranged in a FIFO manner, meaning First In, First Out.
In programming terminology this is known as a queue. The 16550
UART also has improved circuitry which allows it the ability to
transmit data some 4 times faster than the old 8250! This high-
speed circuitry helps in the PC environment mainly in interrupt
timing, though the time saved is rather marginal. Of more
importance is the FIFO. By having a 'reserve' storage area on the
chip, if the processor is momentarily busy, (say, executing an
ANSII graphic sequence) the data is not lost, but held in the
buffer until the processor is free to receive it.
The problem now lies in the fact that the majority of older
communications programs do not check for, and utilize the FIFO
capabilities of the 16550 chip. This is where the 16550 program
comes to the rescue!
PROGRAM OPERATION:
The 16550 UART initially powers up in a non-FIFO state. This
makes the UART software-compatible with the 16450, and the older
8250. In most cases, the communications software doesn't know the
difference. At least until the data comes in faster than the
program can process it!
The 16550 program goes in and 'unlocks' the FIFO capabilities
in the UART, and even in a buffered state, the 16550 still looks
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like the 16450 to older programs! If buffering occurs, then the
data is held, and subsequently read out at a relaxed pace
automatically, providing full compatibility with older software,
yet giving the high-speed protection of a data buffer!
PROGRAM PARAMETERS:
The 16550 automatically detects a 16550 UART, and provides
control for the COM port address, enabling and disabling of the
FIFO, and the settings for a special interrupt based upon the
number of characters being held in the FIFO buffer.
Executing the program without specifying any parameters results
in a scan of all COM ports, and reports the presence of a 16550
UART in each. If the user knows that a 16550 device exists,
additional parameters may be specified to access the FIFO. These
parameters are as follows:
COMn - Tells the 16550 program to use COM port n, where n
indicates ports 1 through 4. Any value outside of this
range results in an error. NOTE: A COM port MUST be
specified when setting the UART!
? - Echos a brief help text on the screen. No action is
taken.
/f - Enables the 16550 internal buffers.
/r - Disables the 16550 internal buffers and resets the UART
to the 8250/16450 compatibility mode.
/tn - Allows the adjustment of the FIFO-full interrupt. n
specifies the number of characters allowed in the
buffer before an interrupt occurs. the values for n are
1,4,8 and 14. NOTE: this is a very sensitive setting!
For normal operation with old communications software,
this parameter should not be used!
The program defaults to FIFO disabled, and a /t parameter of 1.
If the command line parameters are valid, the program will verify
that a 16550 UART is present, and that the parameters have been
set. Unless another program that recognizes a 16550 UART is
executed, the UART should remain in the current state.
SHAREWARE CONCEPT:
Shareware is a non-conventional approach to software
distribution. Unlike regular commercial programs, shareware
allows a 'try-before-you-buy' approach. In most cases, the
programs are just as bit as good (if not better in some
instances!) as the programs you buy at a computer store.
Shareware ISN'T freeware! In most cases, the software author is
a professional who makes at least part of his or her living on
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16550 - A UART Control Program
the registration of the software program. Typically the user is
enticed into registration by added features, free updates, etc.
Shareware depends upon the user to make it work. It's up to
you!
Registration:
This program is 'donate-ware', which is similar in concept to
shareware. The author makes no claims as being a professional
software engineer, rather, the author is a disabled hardware
engineer who enjoys tinkering with programs, and making the
hardware work better.
If you find that this program is useful, and saves you some
time and headaches, the author would appreciate a $5.00 (US)
suggested donation. This amount would include a 'registered' copy
of the program (without the shareware notice), and the eternal
thanks from the author. Considering that the cost of new
communications software that recognizes the 16550 UART far
exceeds 5 bucks, you get a pretty good deal! Of course, any
amount is appreciated. Oh, please specify whether you want a
360K, 5-1/4" or 720K, 3-1/2" floppy when you register.
.....and the address is:
Brent Turner
P.O. Box 3612
Fullerton, CA, 92634-3612
NOTE: Foreign (non-US) users please include a few extra bucks
for the postage! Thanks.
THE LEGAL STUFF:
This software is distributed on an as-is basis. The author has
made reasonable attempts to ascertain it's performance, but
cannot guarantee that it will work in every instance. The author
is not responsible for any damages, or loss of data resulting
from the use of this program.
The shareware version of this program may be freely distributed
as long as all files are included in the package. The registered
version may not be copied or duplicated.
Shareware vendors may distribute this program as long as the
cost per disk does not exceed $5.00. This program may be included
(bundled) with other programs of like nature, so long as the
above cost-per-disk stipulation is met.
The original source code is not available.
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