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MCU-750 SC16IS750 – UART to IIC/SPI Bridge IC with Programmable GPIO (Serial Protocol Converter)

SKU: FA2194-1
Bridge IC

NXP SC16IS750
Host Interface

Selectable I²C (up to 400 kbit/s) or SPI (up to 4 Mbit/s)
UART Data Rate

Up to 5 Mbit/s in 16× clock mode
FIFO Depth

64 bytes (transmitter and receiver)
GPIO Count

8 programmable I/O pins
Operating Voltage

3.3V or 2.5V
Sleep Current

< 30 µA at 3.3V
Operating Temperature

-40°C to +95°C

The MCU-750 SC16IS750 is a compact, high-performance serial protocol converter that bridges I²C or SPI to a single-channel full-duplex UART, enabling seamless communication between your microcontroller and RS-232/RS-485 devices. Built around NXP’s SC16IS750 chip, this module is an essential tool for adding an extra hardware serial port to projects where UART pins are limited, or for converting between different serial protocols without complex software overhead.

At the heart of the module is the SC16IS750, a follower I²C-bus/SPI interface to a high-performance UART offering data rates up to 5 Mbit/s in 16× clock mode. The internal register set is fully compatible with the industrial-standard 16C450, allowing software to be easily written or ported from other platforms. This backward compatibility significantly reduces development time for engineers familiar with traditional UART programming.

The module provides 8 additional programmable I/O pins (GPIO0–GPIO7), which can be configured as inputs, outputs, or interrupt-on-change sources. These GPIOs can also be repurposed as modem control pins (DSR, DTR, CD, RI) depending on your application requirements. This flexibility makes the SC16IS750 suitable for a wide range of control and monitoring tasks beyond simple serial communication.

Power efficiency is a key strength. The chip operates from 3.3V or 2.5V and features a sleep current of less than 30 µA, making it ideal for battery-powered and portable applications. The industrial temperature range of -40°C to +95°C ensures reliable operation in demanding environments.

The I²C interface supports up to 400 kbit/s with a noise filter on SCL/SDA inputs, while the SPI interface supports clock speeds up to 4 Mbit/s. The module includes 64-byte transmit and receive FIFOs, reducing host processor overhead and enabling smoother data flow.

The SC16IS750 also includes advanced features such as auto hardware flow control (RTS/CTS) , auto software flow control (Xon/Xoff) , automatic RS-485 support with driver direction control, and built-in IrDA SIR encoder/decoder supporting speeds up to 115.2 kbit/s.

Whether you are adding a serial port to an Arduino, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi project, interfacing with RS-485 industrial equipment, or building a custom communication gateway, the MCU-750 SC16IS750 provides a reliable, well-documented solution. It is suitable for individual makers, engineers, and businesses purchasing in bulk for product development or industrial applications.

Features

  • SC16IS750 bridge IC — NXP high-performance UART to I²C/SPI converter

  • Selectable I²C or SPI interface — Flexible host communication options

  • Data rates up to 5 Mbit/s — High-speed serial communication in 16× clock mode

  • 8 programmable GPIO pins — Configurable as inputs, outputs, or interrupt sources

  • 16C450 register compatibility — Easy software porting from existing platforms

  • 64-byte TX/RX FIFOs — Reduced host overhead and smoother data flow

  • Low power consumption — Sleep current less than 30 µA at 3.3V

  • Auto flow control — Hardware RTS/CTS and software Xon/Xoff support

  • Automatic RS-485 support — Built-in driver direction control

  • Industrial temperature range — -40°C to +95°C operation

Technical Specifications 

# Parameter Specification
1 Bridge IC NXP SC16IS750
2 Host Interface Selectable I²C (up to 400 kbit/s) or SPI (up to 4 Mbit/s)
3 UART Data Rate Up to 5 Mbit/s in 16× clock mode
4 FIFO Depth 64 bytes (transmitter and receiver)
5 GPIO Count 8 programmable I/O pins
6 Operating Voltage 3.3V or 2.5V
7 Sleep Current < 30 µA at 3.3V
8 Operating Temperature -40°C to +95°C

Usage

Getting Started

  1. Connect power — Supply 3.3V to the VDD pin and GND to ground. The module also supports 2.5V operation.

  2. Select host interface — Choose between I²C or SPI mode by configuring the appropriate pins on the module.

  3. Connect to host MCU — For I²C, connect SDA and SCL to your microcontroller’s I²C bus. For SPI, connect CS, SCLK, MOSI, and MISO.

  4. Install the library — Install an SC16IS7XX Arduino library (such as EnviroDIY or Appnostic) through the Arduino Library Manager.

  5. Configure the UART — Set the baud rate, character format (5–8 bits, parity, stop bits), and FIFO settings using the library functions.

  6. Communicate — Send and receive data through the bridge, or use the GPIO pins for additional control.

I²C Address Configuration

The SC16IS750 supports multiple I²C addresses. The default address is typically 0x48 (8-bit address 0x90) when A0 and A1 are pulled HIGH. Different address configurations can be selected by setting the A0 and A1 pins.

Typical Applications

  • Adding extra serial ports — Expand UART capability on Arduino, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi

  • RS-485 industrial interfaces — Bridge I²C/SPI to RS-485 with automatic direction control

  • GPS and Bluetooth modules — Interface serial peripherals with I²C/SPI host systems

  • Barcode scanners and medical devices — Add serial connectivity to compact designs

  • Custom communication gateways — Protocol conversion between different serial standards

  • Educational projects — Teaching serial communication and protocol bridging

Notes for Business Buyers

  • Proven NXP technology — SC16IS750 is a widely adopted bridge IC with extensive documentation and community support

  • Industrial-grade reliability — Wide temperature range and low power consumption for demanding applications

  • Flexible integration — Selectable I²C/SPI interface and programmable GPIOs suit diverse system designs

  • Suitable for bulk purchasing — Ideal for product development, industrial control, and embedded system integrators

Q: What is the MCU-750 SC16IS750 used for?

It is a serial protocol converter that bridges I²C or SPI to a single-channel UART, allowing you to add an extra serial port or convert between different serial protocols.

Q: What is the difference between SC16IS750 and SC16IS740/760?

The SC16IS750 provides 8 programmable GPIO pins. The SC16IS740 lacks these GPIOs, while the SC16IS760 supports faster SPI clock speeds (15 Mbit/s vs. 4 Mbit/s) and higher IrDA speeds.

Q: How do I select between I²C and SPI interface?

The module supports both interfaces. Configuration is typically done through hardware pin settings or software commands. Refer to the module’s pinout for specific configuration details.

Q: What is the maximum data rate?

The UART supports data rates up to 5 Mbit/s in 16× clock mode.

Q: Does this module require a driver?

For Arduino, install an SC16IS7XX library through the Library Manager. For other platforms, refer to NXP’s datasheet and available drivers.

Q: What is the I²C address of the SC16IS750?

The default I²C address is typically 0x48 (8-bit 0x90) when A0 and A1 are pulled HIGH. It can be changed by setting the A0 and A1 pins.

Q: Can I use the GPIO pins for interrupts?

Yes. The 8 GPIO pins can be configured as interrupt-on-change sources, with optional latching.

Q: Does the module support RS-485?

Yes. The SC16IS750 includes automatic RS-485 support with driver direction control via the RTS signal.

Q: What is the sleep current?

The sleep current is less than 30 µA at 3.3V, making it suitable for battery-powered applications.

Q: Can I purchase in bulk for a product development project?

Yes. This module is suitable for both individual users and business purchasing, including product development, industrial control, and embedded system integration.

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