Serial communication is usually accomplished using one of the two main
serial protocols. These protocols support asynchronous data transfer and
synchronous data transfer. Read on to learn more about these two distinct
communication protocols used with serial applications and devices.
Asynchronous data transfer
When employing an asynchronous serial protocol the sender needs to supply a
synchronization signal prior to transferring any data. This needs to be done before
each transmitted message. The characteristics of an asynchronous protocol include:
No clock signal is required between the message’s sender and recipient.
Longer distance data transmission is supported.
Reliability is increased with asynchronous data transmission.
Synchronous data transfer
When the synchronous serial protocol is used, both the sender and receiver use the
same clock signal during data transfer. Some other characteristics of synchronous
transmission are:
Synchronous protocols support higher data transfer rates.
The clock signal must be communicated between the sender and receiver.
A master/slave configuration is required to implement synchronous data
transfer.
Difference between Serial and Parallel Transmission
There are two methods used for transferring data between computers which are given
below: Serial Transmission and Parallel Transmission.
Serial Transmission:
In Serial Transmission, data-bit flows from one computer to another computer in bi-
direction. In this transmission, one bit flows at one clock pulse. In Serial
Transmission, 8 bits are transferred at a time having a start and stop bit.
Fig: Serial Transmission
Parallel Transmission:
In Parallel Transmission, many bits are flow together simultaneously from one
computer to another computer. Parallel Transmission is faster than serial
transmission to transmit the bits. Parallel transmission is used for short distance.
Fig: Parallel Transmission
Difference between Serial and Parallel Transmission:
Difference between serial and parallel transfer –
Serial Parallel
Require single line to send data Require multiple line
Less error and simple model Error prone and complex working
Economical Expensive
Slower data transfer Faster data transfer
Used for long distance used for short distance
Example:Computer to Computer Example:Computer to Printer
Asynchronous serial data transfer:
In most computer asynchronous mode of data transfer is used in which two
component have a different clock. Data transfer can occur between data in two ways
serial and parallel. In case of parallel multiple lines are used to send a single bit
whereas in serial transfer each bit is send one at a time. To tell other devices when
the character/data will be given a concept of start and end bit is used. A start bit is
denoted by 0 and stop bit is detected when line return to 1-state at least one time,
here 1-state means that there is no data transfer is occurring.
When a character is not being sent then line is kept in state
1. Start of character is detected when a 0 is sent. The character bit always come after
0 bit. After last bit is sent the state of line to become 1.
The diagram below shows this concept:
Here earlier state of line was 1 when a character has to be send a 0 is send and
character bit are transferred.
