μSharp Patch Data Format -- UART

The standard UART protocol is used for our serial transmission interface. The protocol can be modified based on your specific requirement. Contact us to request a change in protocol or other requirements you may have with your system.

Communication Protocol

The communication protocol is:

  • Standard UART
  • Baud rate is 115200 b/s
  • Data length is 8 bits, plus one start bit and one stop bit, and no parity bit
  • I/O standard is 3.3V LVTTL
725

user interface on μSharp Patch for UART

Data Format for Serial Transmission Interface

The packet of output data consists of 6 Bytes. The byte structure is explained below. Note that an 'x' refers to a variable bit containing dynamic data.

Byte 10xFEPacket Header
Byte 20x01Version ID
Byte 30bxxxxxxxxDistance (Least Significant 8 Bits)
Byte 40bxxxxxxxxDistance (Most Significant 8 Bits)
Byte 50bxxxxxxxxSNR (signal to noise ratio)
Byte 60bxxxxxxxxChecksum (formula below)

Explanation

Distance

The distance bytes can be combined (totally 16 bits) to represent the distance information in centimeters. The structure would be: 0x[MSB][LSB], where MSB and LSB are each two hexadecminal numbers (8 bits).

Note: When distance returns 0, it to mean 'no target detected' or 'infinity'.

SNR

The altitude reading will be associated with SNR ( range from 0 to 60 ) to indicate the quality of the reflections.

Checksum

The Checksum Byte could be used in the following check code:

if (Version_ID + Distance_H + Distance_L + SNR) & 0xFF == checksum
is_valid = 1 (check passed)
else
is_valid = 0 (failed)

Example Python 2.7 Code for receiving/showing data on PC

Note: Please download necessary Python package before running this example script.

from serial import Serial
import struct
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

serial = Serial('COM7', 115200,8, 'N',1)   ### This serial port may be various on different machines
serial.flushInput()
serial.flushOutput()

while(1):
  byte = struct.unpack('B', serial.read(1))[0]
  if(byte == 0xFE):
    byte2 = struct.unpack('B', serial.read(1))[0]
    byte3 = struct.unpack('B', serial.read(1))[0]
    byte4 = struct.unpack('B', serial.read(1))[0]
    byte5 = struct.unpack('B', serial.read(1))[0]
    byte6 = struct.unpack('B', serial.read(1))[0]
    header = byte
    version_id = byte2
    lsb_byte = byte3
    msb_byte = byte4
    snr = byte5
    check_sum_transmitter = byte6	
    check_sum_receiver = (byte2 + byte3 + byte4 + byte5) & 0xFF
    DISTANCE = byte3 + (byte4<<8)
		
   ### Print received data
    if (check_sum_receiver == check_sum_transmitter):
      print "checksum passed, DISTANCE:  " + str(DISTANCE) + ", SNR:" + str(snr) + '\r\n'
    else:
      print "checksum failed!!!" + '\r\n'
  else:
    continue

Example Arduino Code for receiving/showing data on PC

Note: Please install Arduino IDE before running this example script.

// This function is called only once, at reset.
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.println("uSharp Patch Readout"); 
}

// This function is called continuously, after setup() completes.
void loop() {
  int altitude = 0;
  int data[64];
  int data_packet[6];
  int idx;
  int receiver_checksum;
  int SNR;

    /// Buffer size = default 64 Bytes, this depends on Arduino board setting!
    while (Serial.available() == 63) {
      delay(20);
      for(int i=0;i<64;i++){
        data[i]=Serial.read();
      }
      for (int j=0;j<12;j++){
        if (data[10+j] == 0xFE && data[10+j+1] == 0x01){
          idx = j;
          break;
        }
      }
      data_packet[0] = data[10+idx];
      data_packet[1] = data[11+idx];
      data_packet[2] = data[12+idx];
      data_packet[3] = data[13+idx];
      data_packet[4] = data[14+idx];
      data_packet[5] = data[15+idx];
      altitude = data_packet[2] + (data_packet[3] << 8);
      SNR = data_packet[4];
      receiver_checksum = (data_packet[1] + data_packet[2] + data_packet[3] + data_packet[4]) & 0xff;
      
      /// Print received data
      if (receiver_checksum == data_packet[5]){
        Serial.print("Checksum passed, ALTITUDE: ");
        Serial.print (altitude);
        Serial.print(",  SNR: ");
        Serial.print (SNR);
        Serial.print("\n\r");          
      }else{
        Serial.print ("Checksum failed!!!");
        Serial.print("\n\r");          
      }             
    }
}