Serial Communication

Overview
The process of sending data one bit at a
time sequentially over a communication
channel.
 Why use serial?
Benefits
•Ideal over long distances
–Much cheaper than Parallel
•Can Operate at a faster frequency than parallel
•Synchronization Difficulties Reduced
–Less wires to worry about
 Two Basic Types
Synchronous
•Regulated by an external clock
–Requires an extra wire for clock signal
Asynchronous
•Regulated by special signals along
transmission lines
 Synchronous
•Utilizes two different signals on separate lines
–First signal is clock signal that is shared between
the two devices
–Second signal carries the data
 Asynchronous
•Signals are specified by predetermined data
transfer protocols.
•Preset frequency between devices
–Signaling sequence specifying beginning and
ending of signal
•Frequency set at beginning of transfer
–Signaling sequence specifies beginning and
ending of signal as well as transfer rate
Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
UART

•Used to convert parallel data to

serial
•Utilizes shift registers
•Typically 8 data bits
•Uses start and stop bits
oAlerts reciever for incoming data
oSynchronizes clock for transfer
 RS-232 Standard

•UART can use RS-232 Standard to

communicate to PC
•Standard establishes
required voltages
–Driver chip