Number of data bits to transmit, specified as the comma-separated pair consisting of 'DataBits' and 5, 6, 7, or 8, which is the default. Data is transmitted as a series of five, six, seven, or eight bits with the least significant bit sent first. At least seven data bits are required to transmit ASCII characters. Eight bits are required to transmit binary data. Five-bit and six-bit data formats are used for specialized communications equipment.