Bi-directional serial interface for communication control
A bi-directional serial interface for serial communication having a control line to facilitate the transmission of data to and from a microcontroller and a serial interface module. The control line can be used by both the microcontroller and the serial interface module to send controlling signals such as start signals, receipt acknowledge signals, error signals, and stop signals. By having a dedicated control line that can be used by both the sending device and the receiving device, the present invention allows the initiation of a communication session by either the microcontroller or the serial interface.
1. A serial interface for a microcontroller comprising:
a single serial data line coupling said serial interface to said microcontroller, said serial data line configured to carry data to and from said serial interface;
a single control signal line coupling said serial interface to said microcontroller, said control signal line configured to carry at least one control signal to and from said serial interface, either one of said microcontroller or said serial interface capable of initiating a communication session; and
a first and second antenna pin that are coupled to an antenna, said antenna being configured for wireless reception and transmission of at least one radio frequency signal data between said microcontroller and a remote device, wherein said serial interface is configured to transmit a data byte received through said antenna through said serial data line upon receipt through said control signal line of an acknowledge signal from said microcontroller.
2. A serial interface for a microcontroller comprising:
a single serial data line coupling said serial interface to said microcontroller, said serial data line configured to carry data to and from said serial interface;
a single control signal line coupling said serial interface to said microcontroller, said control signal line configured to carry at least one control signal to and from said serial interface, either one of said microcontroller or said serial interface capable of initiating a communication session; and
a first and second antenna pin that are coupled to an antenna, said antenna being configured for wireless reception and transmission of at least one radio frequency signal data between said microcontroller and a remote device, wherein said serial interface is configured to acknowledge receipt of a data byte, upon receipt of said data byte from said microcontroller through said serial data line, by sending an acknowledge signal to said microcontroller through said control line.
3. A serial interface for a microcontroller comprising:
a single serial data line coupling said serial interface to said microcontroller, said serial data line configured to carry data to and from said serial interface;
a single control signal line coupling said serial interface to said microcontroller, said control signal line configured to carry at least one control signal to and from said serial interface, either one of said microcontroller or said serial interface capable of initiating a communication session; and
a first and second antenna pin that are coupled to an antenna, said antenna being configured for wireless reception and transmission of at least one radio frequency signal data between said microcontroller and a remote device, wherein said serial interface is configured to transmit a data byte received through said antenna to said microcontroller through said serial data line upon receipt through said control signal line of an acknowledge signal from said microcontroller, receive a valid communication preamble signal from said antenna, receive a data byte from said antenna, await a reception of a control signal from said microcontroller through said control line before sending said data byte, and repeat said steps of receiving and sending data bytes until a valid communication stop signal is received from said antenna.
4. A serial interface as in claim 3 wherein said serial interface is configured to send a start byte to said microcontroller through said serial data line upon the reception of said valid communication preamble signal.
5. A serial interface as in claim 3 wherein said serial interface is configured to send a stop byte to said microcontroller upon the reception of said valid communication stop signal.
6. A serial interface as in claim 3 configured to extract an RF error detection code from said data bytes and insert an error code into said valid communication stop signal if an error is detected.
7. A serial interface for a microcontroller comprising:
a single serial data line coupling said serial interface to said microcontroller, said serial data line configured to carry data to and from said serial interface;
a single control signal line coupling said serial interface to said microcontroller, said control signal line configured to carry at least one control signal to and from said serial interface, either one of said microcontroller or said serial interface capable of initiating a communication session;
a power output line to transmit regulated power to said microcontroller;
a first and second antenna pin that are coupled to an antenna, said antenna being configured for wireless reception and transmission of at least one radio frequency signal data between said microcontroller and a remote device, wherein said serial interface is configured to receive a valid start frame signal from said microcontroller on said control signal line, transmit a communication preamble through said antenna; receive a first data byte from said microcontroller through said serial data line, transmit said first data byte through said antenna, send a control signal to said microcontroller through said control signal line to indicate reception of said first data byte, receive a next data byte from said microcontroller, transmit said next data byte through said antenna, send another control signal to said microcontroller to indicate reception of said next data byte, and repeat said steps of receiving data bytes from said serial data line, transmitting data bytes through said antenna and sending said control signals until a valid end of frame control signal is received from said microcontroller, whereupon a communication stop signal is transmitted through said antenna; and
a converter of said data signal received through said antenna, said converter producing electrical power from said data signal.
8. A serial interface as in claim 7 configured to compute an RF error detection code based on said data bytes transmitted by said RF interface module, said error detection code transmitted through said antenna prior to the transmission of said communication stop signal.