Serial Port Full-Duplex to Half-Duplex Conversion via MCU Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conversion between full-duplex and half-duplex serial ports requires additional hardware, limiting reception and transmission speeds and increasing circuit area and hardware costs due to the need for a serial port converter chip.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that connect the transmission signal line of a first serial port to the reception signal line of a second serial port to form a half-duplex signal line, enabling the second serial port only after the first has completed transmission, allowing for efficient conversion between full-duplex and half-duplex communication modes without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a serial port converter chip is added to convert between full-duplex and half-duplex modes, then compatibility with half-duplex devices is improved, but reception and transmission speeds deteriorate due to conversion speed limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conversion function from a separate hardware chip and integrates it directly into the microcontroller unit. By removing the external converter chip and implementing the half-duplex/full-duplex conversion logic within the MCU's existing serial port resources, the patent eliminates the conversion speed bottleneck while maintaining compatibility with half-duplex devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the conversion function with the microcontroller's native serial port functionality. Instead of using a separate converter chip, the patent combines the full-duplex serial port interface with half-duplex conversion capability within the same hardware resource, allowing the MCU to directly control and switch between communication modes without external conversion hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a serial port converter chip is added for mode conversion, then adaptability to different communication modes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the microcontroller's serial port universally capable of both full-duplex and half-duplex communication modes. By configuring the existing serial port hardware to support multiple communication modes through software control, the patent eliminates the need for separate converter chips and reduces circuit complexity while maintaining multi-mode adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the external converter chip from the circuit and extracts the conversion functionality into the microcontroller's software control logic. This extraction eliminates unnecessary hardware components and reduces PCB area while maintaining the ability to convert between communication modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a serial port converter chip is added for mode conversion, then compatibility with half-duplex devices is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conversion function from an external converter chip and implements it within the microcontroller, eliminating the need to purchase and install separate conversion hardware. This reduces component count, PCB area, and overall hardware cost while maintaining compatibility with half-duplex devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller performs the conversion function itself using its existing serial port resources and processing capability, rather than relying on external helper hardware. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional converter chips and reduces hardware costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a serial port communication mode conversion method, system, and circuit for a serial port circuit, in which the serial port circuit includes a first serial port and a second serial port, a transmission signal line of the first serial port and a reception signal line of the second serial port are connected to form a half-duplex signal line. The method includes: configuring the second serial port to enable after a preset time; controlling the first serial port to transmit a control signal to an external device through the half-duplex signal line within the preset time; and controlling the second serial port to receive response data transmitted by the external device through the half-duplex signal line after the preset time. The present disclosure realizes the conversion of the full-duplex serial port to the half-duplex serial port.