Serial and parallel communication with Arduino

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Serial and parallel communication are two fundamental methods used for transmitting data between devices, and both are possible with the Arduino. Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It is aimed at designers, artists, hobbyists and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

Serial Communication with Arduino

Serial communication is the process of sending data one bit at a time, sequentially, over a communications channel or computer interface. In Arduino, serial communication is used for communication between Arduino and a computer or other devices. All Arduinos have at least one serial port (series 0 and 1), which also communicates programming with the Arduino IDE via USB.

To start serial communication, you need to initialize the serial port using the Serial.begin(baudrate) function. The "baud rate" is the rate of bits per second (bps) at which the serial port communicates. The Serial.print() function is used to send data over the serial port to a connected computer.

Serial communication is very useful for debugging and can be used for bidirectional communication. For example, the Arduino can send data back to the computer or receive data from it. The Serial.read() function is used to read data received from the computer.

Parallel Communication with Arduino

On the other hand, parallel communication is the process of sending multiple bits of data at the same time using a series of communication channels. Each bit of data has its own communication channel. Therefore, all data bits can be transmitted at the same time instead of sequentially as in serial communication.

Although parallel communication can be faster than serial communication, it is also more expensive as it requires more hardware (more communication channels). Also, parallel communication is more susceptible to noise as noise on one channel can affect the other channels.

On Arduino, parallel communication can be performed using the shiftOut() function. This function sends a byte of data one bit at a time. Each bit is sent on the "data pin", and then the "clock pin" is pulsed (going high then low) to indicate that the next bit is available.

The shiftIn() function can be used to read data in parallel. It reads a byte of data one bit at a time. Each bit is read from the "data pin", then the "clock pin" is pulsed (going high then low) to indicate that the next bit is available.

Conclusion

In summary, serial and parallel communication are two main methods of transmitting data between devices. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and choosing between one or the other depends on your specific project needs. Arduino supports both methods, making it a very versatile electronics prototyping platform.

When working with Arduino, it is important to understand these communication concepts, as they are fundamental to many robotics and automation projects. With the right knowledge, you can create a wide variety of projects, from simple remote controlled toys to complex home automation systems.

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