SDI vs UART efficiency for wireless comms


Closed Thread
Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    17

    Default SDI vs UART efficiency for wireless comms

    I am developing a wireless solution which will communicate at a lower data rate, 9600 or 19200. I see that Microchip has a nice module, MRF24J40MA with an SDI interface and STMicroelectronics has a module the SP1ML with a UART interface. I know they communicate in different frequency spectrum, but strictly from a programming and efficiency view point, which interface is better the SDI or UART?

    I would like to know if anyone has used either of these devices and if so, how well did they work and what was the working range?

    For my application, I need 40ft to 100ft and the use will be outside in barns which may have wifi. Yep, the horses get to browse the net instead of just standing there looking out at the greener pastors on the other side of the fence.

    Thanks
    George

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Sweden
    Posts
    3,516

    Default Re: SDI vs UART efficiency for wireless comms

    You mean SPI, not SDI right?
    SDI is a serial interface generally used for video and runs in the hundreds of megbits per second range, I don't think a PIC will cope with that :-)

    Technically, SPI being a sychronous protocol, is a bit more efficient since there's no need for start/stop bits so to transfer 8 bits you send 8 bits while with UART you have to actually send 10 bits to transfer 8 bits. This is ONLY for the interface between the uC and the module, it has NOTHING to do with how the module actually encodes and transfers the data over radio link.

    SPI might also have an edge when it comes to variation in Clock frequency. If the respective oscillators for the uC and module drifts apart when using UART they might drift out of sync, that can't happen with SPI since it's synchronous.

    With all this said and with the knowledge that PBP doesn't have any built in routines for "hardware SPI" like it has for hardware UART I'd say that USING a module with UART interface will be easier than one with a SPI interface.

    The way that the module communicates with the uC has no bearing whatsoever on the range, speed or performance of the actual radio-link.

    /Henrik.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    17

    Default Re: SPI vs UART efficiency for wireless comms

    Sorry, yes SPI. I understand the uC interface has nothing to do with range but I am hoping someone out there has used one of these devices and may be familiar with them.

    As it relates to efficiency, I am thinking mostly about the uC overhead for handline the SPI or UART in PBP. I like all the built in routines for UART but do they cause a lot of overhead or on a small application is the overhead so minimal as to not matter?


    Thanks
    George

Similar Threads

  1. SDI-12 protocol Serial Digital Interface 1200bps
    By BrianT in forum mel PIC BASIC Pro
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: - 29th April 2010, 09:03
  2. Two Issues with PICbasic's Efficiency
    By hankshone in forum mel PIC BASIC Pro
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: - 22nd December 2009, 00:11
  3. Routines efficiency per second
    By RodSTAR in forum mel PIC BASIC Pro
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: - 26th November 2009, 18:10
  4. Wireless comms with Linx LR modules
    By telemark in forum mel PIC BASIC Pro
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: - 2nd July 2006, 02:58
  5. Replies: 0
    Last Post: - 26th October 2005, 07:47

Members who have read this thread : 1

You do not have permission to view the list of names.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts