Communication protocol in Embedded System | Synchronous & Asynchronous communication

Summary

In this 'Foolish Engineer' video, we explore how embedded electronic systems communicate, focusing on various communication protocols. The video uses analogies to explain the importance of synchronization, speed, and language in data transmission between devices. It distinguishes between synchronous and asynchronous communication, illustrating these concepts with the help of a ball-tossing analogy. The video also touches on different protocols like SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN, providing a foundational understanding of how electronic devices exchange information.

Takeaways

• 😀 Human communication is compared to how embedded electronic systems interact, highlighting the need for a common language or protocol.
• 🔍 Communication in embedded systems involves components like sensors, microcontrollers, and displays that need to exchange information effectively.
• 📱 An example given is the motion sensor in mobile phones that communicates with the microprocessor to respond to user gestures, like tilting the phone during a racing game.
• 🤝 For proper communication, devices must synchronize their data transmission and reception speeds to ensure a proper handshake and no data loss.
• 🗣️ Analogies are used to explain synchronous and asynchronous communication, comparing electronic processes to human interactions.
• 🔄 Synchronous communication involves devices sharing the same clock pulses, eliminating the need for clock synchronization.
• 🕒 Asynchronous communication does not require a shared clock; devices operate at predefined intervals, like throwing boxes every 2 seconds in the analogy.
• 📦 In the synchronous analogy, 'boxes' represent data packets that are sent with attention and acknowledgment between the transmitter and receiver.
• 📈 Asynchronous communication is characterized by a predefined baud rate, which dictates the speed of data packet transmission without continuous acknowledgment.
• 🛠️ The video discusses various communication protocols, including SPI, I2C for synchronous, and UART, CAN for asynchronous, which are essential for different electronic systems.

Q & A

How do embedded electronic systems communicate with each other?

Embedded electronic systems communicate through various communication protocols, which are like languages that allow different components such as sensors, microcontrollers, and displays to share information.

What is the role of a motion sensor in a mobile phone while playing a racing game?

The motion sensor, specifically the accelerometer in a mobile phone, detects the tilt of the phone and provides data to the microprocessor, which then adjusts the car's direction on the screen accordingly.

What are the requirements for effective communication between electronic devices?

Effective communication requires that devices communicate at similar speeds, are synchronized, and have a mechanism for notifying the receiver that data is being sent and acknowledging its receipt.

What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous communication protocols?

In synchronous communication, devices share the same clock pulses, whereas in asynchronous communication, devices do not share a clock and instead rely on predefined time intervals or baud rates for data transmission.

How does the analogy of throwing boxes between two people illustrate synchronous communication?

In the analogy, the person throwing the boxes (transmitter) grabs the attention of the receiver, waits for a response, and then throws the next box. This represents the synchronized clock pulses and the need for acknowledgement in synchronous communication.

What is the role of a clock signal in synchronous communication?

The clock signal in synchronous communication ensures that the transmitter and receiver are synchronized, allowing data to be sent and received at specific intervals, much like the shared understanding of when to throw and catch boxes in the analogy.

How does the asynchronous communication protocol handle the lack of clock synchronization?

Asynchronous communication protocols use an internal clock for each device and rely on a predefined baud rate to determine when to send and receive data, without the need for continuous clock synchronization.

What are some common synchronous communication protocols used in embedded systems?

Common synchronous communication protocols include SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) and I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), which are used for high-speed communication between devices.

What are some common asynchronous communication protocols used in embedded systems?

Common asynchronous communication protocols include UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) and CAN (Controller Area Network), which are used for slower speed communication where clock synchronization is not required.

How does the transmitter know if the receiver has successfully received data in synchronous communication?

In synchronous communication, the receiver sends an acknowledgement bit after successfully receiving all data. If the transmitter does not receive this acknowledgement, it assumes the data was not received and may resend the data.