Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!uunet!hayes!tnixon
From: tnixon@hayes.uucp
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: 16550AFN
Message-ID: <3900.27f9bd8d@hayes.uucp>
Date: 3 Apr 91 11:33:33 GMT
References: <59698@aurs01.UUCP>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Hayes Microcomputer Products, Norcross, GA
Lines: 25

In article <59698@aurs01.UUCP>, luce@aurs01.UUCP (J. Luce) writes:

> A quick question... would an 8 Mhz. 286 - AT clone with an 8250/16450
> that is *NOT* multitasking and whose only task would be Zmodeming (or
> some such protocol) drop characters and need the 16550? Or is that
> scenario for slower machines or machines that are multi-tasking.
> 
> In other words, do I *need* this chip for reliable data transfers under
> the above scenario??

I have exactly that configuration here on my desk (straight MS-DOS 
PC AT, 8 MHz, 16450), and run it at 19200 and even 38400 all the 
time, and never see data loss -- except when I try to access the 
RAMdisk in extended memory (which disables interrupts for a while).  
So long as I stay away from the RAMdisk while receiving, I never 
lose data.  I think the software you run has a lot to do with it; 
Smartcom III and Smartcom Exec are pretty fast, and I'm sure there 
are several other programs that can keep up with 19200 or 38400 on 
an 8 MHz 80286.

-- 
Toby Nixon, Principal Engineer    | Voice   +1-404-840-9200  Telex 151243420
Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. | Fax     +1-404-447-0178  CIS   70271,404
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