UART, which stands for Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter, is a popular asynchronous serial communication protocol used for point-to-point communication between two devices. It is commonly employed in microcontrollers, embedded systems, and various electronic devices for transmitting and receiving data between devices.
Key features and characteristics of the UART protocol:
1. Asynchronous Communication:
UART is asynchronous, meaning that there is no shared clock signal between the communicating devices. Instead, both the transmitter and receiver agree on a specific baud rate for communication.
2. Two Signal Lines:
UART uses two signal lines for communication:
TX (Transmit): The line through which the data is sent by the transmitter.
RX (Receive): The line through which the data is received by the receiver.
3. Start and Stop Bits:
Each data frame transmitted in UART communication consists of a start bit, a configurable number of data bits (typically 8 bits), an optional parity bit for error checking, and one or more stop bits. The start and stop bits frame the data bits.
4. Baud Rate:
Baud rate refers to the speed of data transmission and is measured in bits per second (bps). Both the transmitting and receiving devices must operate at the same baud rate for successful communication.
5. Parity Bit (Optional):
The parity bit, if used, provides a simple form of error checking. It can be set to even, odd, or none, depending on the desired parity-checking scheme.
6. No Master-Slave Distinction:
Unlike other communication protocols like SPI or I2C, UART does not have a master or slave designation. Devices connected using UART are typically considered peers.
7. Half-Duplex or Full-Duplex:
UART can operate in both half-duplex and full-duplex modes. In half-duplex mode, a single communication channel is shared for both transmission and reception. In full-duplex mode, separate lines are used for transmission and reception.
8. Simplex Communication:
While UART can operate in full-duplex mode, it is often used in half-duplex mode for simple point-to-point communication between two devices.
9. Hardware Implementation:
UART is often implemented using dedicated hardware in microcontrollers or integrated circuits, but it can also be emulated in software.
10. Applications:
UART is commonly used for communication between devices in various applications, such as microcontroller-to-microcontroller communication, microcontroller-to-PC communication (via USB-to-UART converters), Bluetooth modules, GPS modules, and other serial devices.
11. Robust and Simple:
UART is known for its simplicity and robustness, making it suitable for many applications. Its widespread usage is due, in part, to its simplicity and ease of implementation.
UART is a widely used and versatile serial communication protocol, offering a straightforward and reliable means of data transfer between devices. Its simplicity and ease of implementation make it a preferred choice in many applications requiring serial communication.
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