TMS38010NL

The TMS38010NL is the Communications Processor of Texas Instruments' TMS380 Token Ring adapter chipset, the engine that runs the adapter firmware for a 4 Mbps IEEE 802.5 network interface. It contains a dedicated 16-bit CPU with 2.75K bytes of on-chip RAM and executes the adapter software held in the companion TMS38020 Protocol Handler, buffering transmit and receive frames in its local memory. Single-cycle arbitration of the 3 MHz LAN adapter bus keeps data moving for maximum adapter throughput.

Key Features

• Dedicated 16-bit CPU - a purpose-built processor that offloads Token Ring adapter control from the host system.
• 2.75K bytes on-chip RAM - local, parity-protected memory buffers frames during transmit and receive.
• 4 Mbps Token Ring - part of a chipset performing protocol functions for a 4 Mbps IEEE 802.5 token ring LAN.
• Firmware execution - runs the adapter software that resides in the TMS38020 Protocol Handler's ROM.
• LAN adapter bus arbitration - single-cycle arbitration of the 3 MHz adapter bus, with parity protection across on-chip and expansion memory.
• Expandable memory - the adapter bus supports additional expansion memory for larger buffers.

Typical Applications

• Token Ring network adapters - the control processor in 4 Mbps IEEE 802.5 adapter cards.
• Legacy LAN equipment - bridges, controllers, and interface boards built on the TMS380 chipset.
• Maintenance and repair - sustaining installed Token Ring hardware that still runs production traffic.
• Industrial and legacy networks - facilities where IEEE 802.5 infrastructure remains in long-term service.

Unique Advantages

• Complete adapter brain - with its own CPU and buffer RAM, it runs the adapter firmware independently of the host, simplifying driver design.
• Parity-protected buffering - error detection across on-chip and expansion memory supports reliable frame handling.
• Matched chipset part - it works with the TMS38020 Protocol Handler, TMS38030 System Interface, and the TMS38051/38052 Ring Interface as a proven set.
• Host bus-master transfers - paired with the TMS38030 System Interface, the adapter moves data to the host at high rates across common bus families.

Why Choose TMS38010NL?

The TMS38010NL is central to any TMS380-based 4 Mbps Token Ring adapter, running the adapter firmware and buffering frames so the host sees a clean network interface. Its 16-bit CPU, parity-protected on-chip RAM, and tight integration with the rest of the TMS380 chipset make it the part to source when building or, far more often today, maintaining and repairing deployed Token Ring equipment. Because the adapter firmware lives in the companion TMS38020 rather than the processor, a repaired board keeps its original behavior once the matched chipset parts are in place.

Contact us for pricing, availability, and lead time on the TMS38010NL, and tell us which TMS380 companion devices you need so we can help complete the set.