asynchronous communications interface adapter

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

Asynchronous Communications Interface Adapter
ACIA

   <communications, hardware> (ACIA) A kind of {integrated
   circuit} that provides data formatting and control to {EIA-232}
   serial interfaces.

   [Is this the same as a {UART}?]

   (1997-05-07)