A universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART /ˈjuːɑːrt/) is a peripheral device for asynchronous serial communication in which the data format and transmission speeds are configurable. It sends data bits one by one, from the least significant to the most significant, framed by start and stop bits so that precise timing is handled by the communication channel. The electric signaling levels are handled by a driver circuit external to the UART. Common signal levels are RS-232, RS-485, and raw TTL[1] for short debugging links. Early teletypewriters used current loops.
It was one of the earliest computer communication devices, used to attach teletypewriters for an operator console. It was also an early hardware system for the Internet.
A UART is usually an individual (or part of an) integrated circuit (IC) used for serial communications over a computer or peripheral device serial port. One or more UART peripherals are commonly integrated in microcontroller chips. Specialised UARTs are used for automobiles, smart cards and SIMs.
A related device, the universal synchronous and asynchronous receiver-transmitter (USART) also supports synchronous operation.
In OSI level terms, UART lives on layer 2, the Data link layer.
- ^ "RS-232 vs. TTL Serial Communication - SparkFun Electronics". www.sparkfun.com.