Common Communication Protocols in Electronics
1. UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter):
- Asynchronous communication using two wires (TX, RX).
- No clock signal shared, data synchronization through start/stop bits.
- Common in GPS modules, Bluetooth, and simple serial communications.
2. I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit):
- Synchronous communication with two wires (SDA, SCL).
- Allows multiple devices on a bus using unique addressing.
- Used in sensors, EEPROMs, RTCs, and peripherals.
3. SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface):
- Synchronous communication using four wires (MOSI, MISO, SCLK, SS).
- Full-duplex and faster than I2C, but each device requires a select line.
- Common in displays, SD cards, and fast data transfers.
4. CAN (Controller Area Network):
- Multi-device bus communication using two wires (CAN High, CAN Low).
- Popular in automotive and industrial systems for real-time communication.
5. USB (Universal Serial Bus):
- Synchronous communication using four wires.
- Host-peripheral architecture, commonly used in computers and external devices.
6. Ethernet:
- Synchronous networking protocol using eight wires for twisted-pair cables.
- Widely used for high-speed local area networks (LAN).
7. 1-Wire:
- Synchronous protocol using one wire (plus ground).
- Low-speed, used in temperature sensors, EEPROMs, and small devices.
8. Bluetooth:
- Wireless protocol for short-range communication.
- Uses radio frequencies for personal area networks (PANs) between devices.
Summary:
- UART is a simple choice for point-to-point communication.
- I2C and SPI are best for interfacing with sensors and peripherals.
- CAN is ideal for real-time control in automotive systems.
- USB, Ethernet, and Bluetooth support higher speeds and more complex networking.