Serial Communication (UART) - 3.1 | Experiment No. 8: 8051 Microcontroller - Serial Communication and Interrupts | Microcontroller Lab
K12 Students

Academics

AI-Powered learning for Grades 8–12, aligned with major Indian and international curricula.

Professionals

Professional Courses

Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.

Games

Interactive Games

Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.

3.1 - Serial Communication (UART)

Practice

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Introduction to Serial Communication

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're discussing serial communication, specifically focusing on UART, which stands for Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter. Can anyone tell me why we might prefer using serial communication over parallel communication?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it has something to do with using fewer pins, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Serial communication uses fewer pins since data is sent one bit at a time, which is particularly useful for long-distance communication. Can anyone explain what a baud rate is?

Student 2
Student 2

Isn’t it the speed of data transmission in bits per second?

Teacher
Teacher

That's correct! The baud rate defines how fast the data is being transmitted. Common baud rates include 9600 and 115200. Remember, faster baud rates can improve communication speed but may also introduce errors if not configured correctly.

Teacher
Teacher

Can anyone share what a typical data frame includes?

Student 3
Student 3

A frame usually starts with a start bit, followed by the data bits, a parity bit, and then stop bits.

Teacher
Teacher

Good job! This framing is vital for ensuring that the receiver can correctly interpret the beginning and end of the data.

Teacher
Teacher

To summarize, serial communication is efficient for low-pin count applications, and knowing the baud rate and framing details is essential for reliable communication.

UART Registers on the 8051

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

The 8051 microcontroller has some essential registers for UART communication. Can anyone name one?

Student 4
Student 4

Isn't SBUF the register we use for sending and receiving data?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! SBUF is the Serial Buffer used for both operations. Besides SBUF, we also have the SCON register. Who can tell me what SCON is for?

Student 2
Student 2

SCON is the Serial Control Register that manages how the UART operates.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! It includes the mode select bits and flags for enabling reception and indicating transmission completion. Let's talk about how we configure the baud rate using Timer 1. Can someone remind me how the baud rate is calculated?

Student 1
Student 1

We use the oscillator frequency and some formula involving TH1.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! The formula is: Baud Rate = (Oscillator Frequency / 12) / (32 * (256 - TH1)). Keep in mind that using standard crystal frequencies helps minimize errors.

Teacher
Teacher

Let's remember the key registers: SBUF, SCON, and PCON for proper configuration of UART. Any questions before we move on?

Practical Implementation of UART on 8051

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

We've covered the theoretical basis. Now let's look at how to implement UART in C for the 8051. Why do you think it’s essential to initialize UART settings correctly?

Student 4
Student 4

If we don’t, the communication might not work as expected!

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Let's review the UART initialization code. Can someone explain the importance of setting the TR1 bit?

Student 3
Student 3

TR1 is used to start Timer 1, which generates the baud rate. Without it, we can't communicate!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! And we also need to set REN in SCON to enable receiving data. After initialization, what do we do to send data through UART?

Student 2
Student 2

We load the character into the SBUF and wait for the TI flag to ensure it’s transmitted.

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! To receive data, we must check the RI flag and then read SBUF. Summarizing, proper UART initialization is critical, and understanding how to send and receive is fundamental for our projects.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section covers the fundamentals of serial communication using UART, its configuration on the 8051 microcontroller, and its operational significance.

Standard

The section delves into the details of UART serial communication, explaining critical concepts such as baud rate, data framing, and the specific registers used in the 8051 microcontroller to handle UART operations. It also differentiates between polling and interrupt-driven I/O, underscoring the importance of UART in embedded systems.

Detailed

Serial Communication (UART) Overview

Serial communication is a vital means of exchanging data between devices, wherein data bits are transmitted one at a time, conserving pin usage and enabling long-distance communication. The 8051 microcontroller is equipped with a full-duplex UART that allows simultaneous sending and receiving of data.

Key Components of UART Communication:

  • UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter): A crucial hardware component that converts parallel data to a serial stream for transmission and vice versa for reception.
  • Baud Rate: Represents the speed of data transmission, measured in bits per second (bps); common rates are 9600, 19200, and 115200.
  • Data Framing: Data is sent in frames consisting of a start bit, data bits (commonly 8 bits), an optional parity bit for error detection, and one or two stop bits.

8051 UART Registers:

  • SBUF (Serial Buffer): Used for data transmission and reception.
  • SCON (Serial Control Register): Controls the UART mode and settings, including mode selection, receive enable flag, and transmission/reception interrupt flags.
  • PCON (Power Control Register): Contains the SMOD bit which affects the baud rate.

Calculating Baud Rate for UART on 8051:

The baud rate in Mode 1 can be generated using Timer 1 in an 8-bit auto-reload mode. The formula for calculating the baud rate involves the oscillator frequency and a reload value, TH1. An example calculation shows how to derive TH1 value for a specific baud rate using a standard crystal frequency of 11.0592 MHz, which minimizes baud rate errors.

Understanding UART and its configuration is crucial for implementing effective serial communication in embedded systems.

Audio Book

Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.

Definition and Importance of Serial Communication

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

Serial communication involves transmitting data one bit at a time over a single wire. This is efficient for long-distance communication and connections between devices with fewer pins. The 8051 has a full-duplex (simultaneous send and receive) serial port.

Detailed Explanation

In serial communication, data is sent sequentially, meaning one bit after another, which makes it a simpler and more efficient method for long-distance data transfer, especially when using fewer physical connections. The 8051 microcontroller allows for full-duplex communication, which means that data can be sent and received at the same time, making it a versatile tool for various applications, such as connecting to other microcontrollers or computers.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a one-lane road where cars can only travel in one direction at a time. This represents serial communication, where data travels bit by bit along a single line. Full-duplex communication is like having a two-lane road that allows cars to travel in both directions simultaneously, facilitating faster and more efficient transport.

What is UART?

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter): A hardware peripheral that converts parallel data from the microcontroller into a serial stream for transmission, and converts incoming serial data into parallel data for the microcontroller.

Detailed Explanation

UART is a crucial hardware component that facilitates serial communication by transforming data formats. It takes parallel data (where multiple bits are transmitted simultaneously) and converts it to a serial stream (where bits are sent one after the other) for communication. Upon receiving data, UART also converts the serial stream back into parallel data for the microcontroller to process, making it essential for interfacing the microcontroller with other devices that communicate serially.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a translator at an international airport. The translator converts spoken language from one individual into a written language that others can understand. Similarly, UART translates between two different formats of data, ensuring smooth communication between devices.

Understanding Baud Rate

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

Baud Rate: The rate at which data is transferred in bits per second (bps). Common baud rates include 9600, 19200, 115200.

Detailed Explanation

The baud rate is crucial as it dictates how fast data can be transmitted over the serial connection. It is measured in bits per second (bps) and dictates how many bits can be sent in one second. A higher baud rate means faster data transfer, but it also requires both the sender and receiver to be configured to use the same baud rate to understand each other.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a highway's speed limit. Just like cars need to adhere to a specific speed limit to prevent accidents and ensure smooth traffic flow, UART communication requires specific baud rates for devices to communicate effectively without errors.

Data Framing in UART

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

Data Framing: Serial data is typically transmitted in 'frames,' which include:
- Start Bit: A '0' bit that signals the beginning of a data frame.
- Data Bits: 5 to 9 bits (commonly 8 bits) representing the actual data.
- Parity Bit (Optional): Used for error detection.
- Stop Bit(s): 1 or 2 bits (commonly 1) that signal the end of the data frame.

Detailed Explanation

Data framing is essential in serial communication as it defines the structure of the data being transmitted. Each frame typically consists of a start bit that signifies the beginning of the data, followed by the actual data bits, an optional parity bit for error checking, and one or two stop bits that mark the end of the frame. This structure is crucial as it tells the receiving device when to start reading the data and when it has received all the data it is supposed to.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a letter sent through the mail. The envelope signals the start and end of the letter, while the contents (the data) are the letters written inside. Just as the envelope has a specific structure, data frames in UART ensure the correct transmission and reception of information.

Registers Related to 8051 UART

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

8051 Serial Port Registers:
- SBUF (Serial Buffer): An 8-bit register used for both transmitting and receiving data. Writing to SBUF loads data for transmission; reading from SBUF retrieves received data.
- SCON (Serial Control Register): An 8-bit Special Function Register (SFR) that controls the operating mode of the serial port.
- SM0, SM1: Mode select bits (00: Mode 0, 01: Mode 1, 10: Mode 2, 11: Mode 3). Mode 1 is typically used for variable baud rate 8-bit UART.
- REN (Receive Enable): Set to 1 to enable serial reception.
- TI (Transmit Interrupt Flag): Set by hardware when a byte has been transmitted. Cleared by software.
- RI (Receive Interrupt Flag): Set by hardware when a byte has been received. Cleared by software.
- PCON (Power Control Register): The SMOD bit (PCON.7) doubles the baud rate in Modes 1, 2, and 3 if set to 1.

Detailed Explanation

The 8051 microcontroller contains specific registers to manage serial communication effectively. The SBUF register is used both for sending and receiving data, acting as a temporary storage component. The SCON register contains important control bits that determine how the serial port operates, including setting the mode of operation and enabling data reception. The PCON register has a specific bit (SMOD) that can be adjusted to change the baud rate, allowing for flexibility in communication speed.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine these registers as the controls and storage compartments in a car. The SBUF is like the glove compartment for holding important items temporarily. SCON works like the dashboard controls that let you change the car's mode (like switching from economy to sport driving), while PCON acts like settings adjusting cruise control speed.

Baud Rate Calculation in Mode 1

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

Baud Rate Generation (Mode 1): In 8051's Mode 1, the baud rate is generated by Timer 1 in Mode 2 (8-bit auto-reload mode).
- Timer 1 is configured to overflow at a specific rate to generate the desired baud rate.
- The formula for Baud Rate in Mode 1 (assuming SMOD = 0) is:
Baud Rate = (Oscillator Frequency / 12) / (32 * (256 - TH1)).
- If SMOD = 1 (PCON.7 = 1), Baud Rate = (Oscillator Frequency / 12) / (16 * (256 - TH1)).
- To find TH1 for a desired Baud Rate:
TH1 = 256 - [(Oscillator Frequency / 12) / (32 * Baud Rate)].
- Numerical Example: For an 11.0592 MHz crystal and a desired Baud Rate of 9600 bps (with SMOD = 0):
TH1 = 256 - [(11059200 / 12) / (32 * 9600)] = 253 (decimal) or FDH (hexadecimal).

Detailed Explanation

In the 8051 microcontroller's mode 1, Timer 1 is key for generating the baud rate, which ultimately dictates how quickly data can be sent and received. The relationship between the microcontroller's oscillator frequency and the desired baud rate is defined by specific formulas, allowing the user to calculate the appropriate timer register value (TH1) needed for their desired communication speed. The example given shows how to derive TH1 for a commonly used crystal frequency, illustrating the practical application of the derived formulas.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this process as managing traffic lights at an intersection. The oscillator frequency is like the timing of traffic signals that dictate how often cars can move. By adjusting values (TH1) just as we might fine-tune light sequences, we can control the flow of data just like ensuring smooth traffic flow.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • UART: The essential hardware for serial communication in microcontrollers.

  • Baud Rate: The speed of data transmission, crucial for communication effectiveness.

  • Data Framing: The structure of data packets for accurate communication.

  • 8051 UART Registers: Key registers like SBUF and SCON that control UART operation.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Using a baud rate of 9600 bps allows for straightforward data transmission between a microcontroller and a PC.

  • Converting a parallel data byte to serial data enables communication through fewer wires, particularly useful in embedded systems.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • UART's the way, one bit at a time, / For long-distance talk, it works just fine.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine sending a secret message in a single file line, like a queue at a coffee shop, where each customer takes their turn to deliver. That's how data flows in serial communication.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • For UART, remember: SBUF for sending data, SCON for control, and T1 for timing - all essential for smooth communication.

🎯 Super Acronyms

Remember the acronym BDS (Baud rate, Data framing, SBUF)

  • Each important part plays a key role in UART.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: UART

    Definition:

    Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter; a hardware peripheral that facilitates serial communication by converting parallel data to serial format and vice versa.

  • Term: Baud Rate

    Definition:

    The rate of data transmission in bits per second (bps), indicating how quickly data is sent over a communication channel.

  • Term: Data Framing

    Definition:

    The structure of transmitted data, typically consisting of a start bit, data bits, an optional parity bit, and stop bits.

  • Term: SBUF

    Definition:

    Serial Buffer; an 8-bit register used for transmission and reception of data in UART communication.

  • Term: SCON

    Definition:

    Serial Control Register; controls UART mode, reception enabling, and transmission status flags.

  • Term: PCON

    Definition:

    Power Control Register; includes configuration for baud rate setting and power modes.

  • Term: Timer 1

    Definition:

    A timer in the 8051 microcontroller used for generating the baud rate in UART mode.