What is asynchronous serial communication and start-stop synchronization? An easy-to-understand explanation of the basic concepts of data communication

Explanation of IT Terms

What is Asynchronous Serial Communication?

Asynchronous serial communication is a method of transmitting data between devices in a sequential manner, where each data bit is sent one after the other. It is widely used in various communication systems such as serial ports, RS-232 interfaces, and USB devices.

Unlike synchronous communication, which relies on a clock signal to synchronize the data transmission, asynchronous communication adds start and stop bits to each data frame to establish synchronization. This means that devices using asynchronous communication can operate at different clock speeds and do not need to share a common clock signal.

Start-Stop Synchronization

Start-stop synchronization is a crucial aspect of asynchronous serial communication. It ensures that the receiver recognizes the start and end of each data frame correctly.

In start-stop synchronization, each data frame is framed by a start bit and a stop bit. The start bit, usually a logic low (0), is sent before the actual data bits to signal the beginning of a data frame. It alerts the receiver to start sampling the incoming bits.

After the start bit, the data bits are transmitted serially, typically in a predetermined order such as LSB (Least Significant Bit) first. The number of data bits per frame can vary, commonly between 5 and 8 bits.

Finally, a stop bit or bits are sent after the data bits to mark the end of the frame. The stop bit is usually a logic high (1), allowing the receiver to distinguish between or discard any noise that may be present.

By using start and stop bits, start-stop synchronization ensures that the receiver is aligned with the incoming data frames, allowing for accurate reception and interpretation of the transmitted data.

In conclusion, asynchronous serial communication is a widely used method for transmitting data between devices, and start-stop synchronization plays a vital role in establishing frame boundaries. Understanding these concepts is essential for effectively implementing data communication systems and protocols.

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