SERIN2 Receiving Wrong Data

[tumbleweed]

'Code at device A, PIC18F4550
SendData:
   pause 5
   SEROUT2 PORTB.7,32,[STR RFID_IN\7]    
goto SendData

You're only allowing device B 5ms between transfers to receive the data and display it.
If device B is not finished and sitting back at the SERIN2 statement before device A does another transmission it will fail.
Try increasing the 'pause 5' to 'pause 500' and see if things get better.

You might also have to break the single SEROUT2 statement into something a little slower, like sending the RFID_IN array data a byte at a time with a pause in between the bytes to allow device B time to receive, save it, and be ready for the next byte. As I mentioned before, you're using a software SERIN2 on device B which is VERY timing-dependent and prone to failure. A hardware UART is much better suited for this, especially for receiving data.

You could also be having issues with osc accuracy between the two... on each end send a 'U' (hex 55) and measure the bit timing. At 19200 baud each bit should be 520us +/-15us, give or take (about 3%).

My bet would be on one of the first two above.

[rsocor01]

Tumbleweed, I had very strong suspicions that the issues were in the communication lines. I changed the Baud rate from 19200 to 9600 and I haven't got anymore wrong data at the receiver. I remember from my EE school days that the higher the frequency, the more prone to line noise the data is. So, by lowering the Baud rate it worked. I was pulling my hair out for a few days. At first I thought that it was some kind of SERIN2/SEROUT2 software issue.

[tumbleweed]

By lowering the baud rate you're now allowing device B (and SERIN2) twice the time to receive the bits and assemble the byte.
That's probably what's helping a lot more than any line noise issue.

A software UART has a lot of potential timing issues, especially when it comes to receiving.

[rsocor01]

By lowering the baud rate you're now allowing device B (and SERIN2) twice the time to receive the bits and assemble the byte.
That's probably what's helping a lot more than any line noise issue.

There is probably a little bit of both. I did a search in the forum, but couldn't find anyone having the same issue.

[Ioannis]

What is the clock of each PIC you use?

Ioannis

[rsocor01]

What is the clock of each PIC you use?

Ioannis

The sending device has the typical 18F4550 USB setup and it is set to "Define OSC 48". The receiving device is set to "DEFINE OSC 16".

[Ioannis]

I guess then, the sending device is interrupted by the USB routines while sending and as a consequence the transmission of RS-232 at that time is corrupted.

Ioannis