The 16550 UART (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter) is an integrated circuit designed for implementing the interface for serial communications. It is frequently used to implement the serial port for IBM PC compatible personal computers, where it is often connected to an RS-232 interface for modems, serial mice, printers, and similar peripherals.
The part was originally made by National Semiconductor. Similarly numbered devices, with varying levels of compatibility with the original National Semiconductor part, are made by other manufacturers. A UART function that is register-compatible with the 16550 is usually a feature of multifunction I/O cards for IBM PC-compatible computers, and may be integrated on the motherboard of other compatible computers.
Replacement of the factory-installed 8250 UART was a common upgrade for owners of IBM PC, XT, and compatible computers when high-speed modems became available. At speeds higher than 9600 baud, owners discovered that the serial ports of the computers were not able to handle a continuous flow of data without losing characters. Exchange of the 8250 (having only a one-byte received data buffer) with a 16550, and occasionally patching or setting system software to be aware of the FIFO feature of the new chip, improved the reliability and stability of high-speed connections.
You know you're livin' a lie when you just can't win
Pulling in first prize ain't gonna give you a break
You know I'm kickin' back, I had a broken wing
Me and my shadow are the next best thing
I need someone
You know it might take more than you give to me
Are you gun-shy, are you listening?
What we got here is dead reckoning
And take me in for the night in the right time zone
We'll do what you like, make a left turn home
I put out the light, you're turnin' way too red
No stop sign straight up ahead
You need so much
So much sympathy
That's more than I can say
You know it's not too late
Are you gun-shy, are you listening?
What we got here is dead reckoning
And if it feels good, we'll do it again
See your way clear, dead reckoning
Tell me why, tell me why
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
You mean so much
So much to me
That's more than I can say
You know it's not too late
Are you gun-shy, are you listening?
What we got here is dead reckoning
And if it feels good, we'll do it again
See your way clear, dead reckoning, yeah
What we got here is dead reckoning