UART Library

The UART hardware module is available with a number of PIC compliant MCUs. The mikroC PRO for PIC UART Library provides comfortable work with the Asynchronous (full duplex) mode.

You can easily communicate with other devices via RS-232 protocol (for example with PC, see the figure at the end of the topic – RS-232 HW connection). You need a PIC MCU with hardware integrated UART, for example 16F887. Then, simply use the functions listed below.

Important :

UART library routines require you to specify the module you want to use. To select the desired UART module, simply change the letter x in the routine prototype for a number from 1 to 2.
Switching between the UART modules in the UART library is done by the UART_Set_Active function (UART modules have to be previously initialized).
Number of UART modules per MCU differs from chip to chip. Please, read the appropriate datasheet before utilizing this library.

Generic Routines

UART_Data_Ready
UART_Tx_Idle
UART_Read
UART_Read_Text
UART_Write
UART_Write_Text

UARTx_Init

Prototype	void UARTx_Init(const unsigned long baud_rate);
Returns	Nothing.
Description	Configures and initializes the UART module. The internal UART module module is set to: receiver enabled transmitter enabled frame size 8 bits 1 STOP bit parity mode disabled asynchronous operation Parameters : `baud_rate:` requested baud rate Refer to the device data sheet for baud rates allowed for specific Fosc. Note : Calculation of the UART baud rate value is carried out by the compiler, as it would produce a relatively large code if performed on the library level. Therefore, compiler needs to know the value of the parameter in the compile time. That is why this parameter needs to be a constant, and not a variable.
Requires	You'll need PIC MCU with hardware UART.
Example	// Initialize hardware UART1 and establish communication at 9600 bps UART1_Init(9600);

UARTx_Data_Ready

Prototype	char UARTx_Data_Ready();
Returns	`1` if data is ready for reading `0` if there is no data in the receive register
Description	Use the function to test if data in receive buffer is ready for reading.
Requires	MCU with the UART module. The UART module must be initialized before using this routine. See the UARTx_Init routine.
Example	// If data is ready, read it: if (UART1_Data_Ready() == 1) { receive = UART1_Read(); }

UARTx_Tx_Idle

Prototype	char UARTx_Tx_Idle();
Returns	`1` if the data has been transmitted `0` otherwise
Description	Use the function to test if the transmit shift register is empty or not.
Requires	UART HW module must be initialized and communication established before using this function. See UARTx_Init.
Example	// If the previous data has been shifted out, send next data: if (UART1_Tx_Idle() == 1) { UART1_Write(_data); }

UARTx_Read

Prototype	char UARTx_Read();
Returns	Returns the received byte.
Description	Function receives a byte via UART. Use the function UARTx_Data_Ready to test if data is ready first.
Requires	MCU with the UART module. The UART module must be initialized before using this routine. See UARTx_Init routine.
Example	// If data is ready, read it: if (UART1_Data_Ready() == 1) { receive = UART1_Read(); }

UARTx_Read_Text

Prototype	void UARTx_Read_Text(char Output, char* Delimiter, char* Attempts);
Returns	Nothing.
Description	Reads characters received via UART until the delimiter sequence is detected. The read sequence is stored in the parameter `output`; delimiter sequence is stored in the parameter `delimiter`. This is a blocking call: the delimiter sequence is expected, otherwise the procedure exits (if the delimiter is not found). Parameters : `Output:` received text `Delimiter:` sequence of characters that identifies the end of a received string `Attempts:` defines number of received characters in which `Delimiter` sequence is expected. If `Attempts` is set to 255, this routine will continuously try to detect the `Delimiter` sequence.
Requires	UART HW module must be initialized and communication established before using this function. See UARTx_Init.
Example	Read text until the sequence “OK” is received, and send back what’s been received: UART1_Init(4800); // initialize UART1 module Delay_ms(100); while (1) { if (UART1_Data_Ready() == 1) { // if data is received UART1_Read_Text(output, "OK", 10); // reads text until 'OK' is found UART1_Write_Text(output); // sends back text } }

UARTx_Write

Prototype	void UARTx_Write(char data_);
Returns	Nothing.
Description	The function transmits a byte via the UART module. Parameters : `_data:` data to be sent
Requires	MCU with the UART module. The UART module must be initialized before using this routine. See UARTx_Init routine.
Example	unsigned char _data = 0x1E; ... UART1_Write(_data);

UARTx_Write_Text

Prototype	void UARTx_Write_Text(char * UART_text);
Returns	Nothing.
Description	Sends text (parameter `uart_text`) via UART. Text should be limited to 255 characters and zero terminated. Parameters : `UART_text:` text to be sent
Requires	UART HW module must be initialized and communication established before using this function. See UARTx_Init.
Example	Read text until the sequence “OK” is received, and send back what’s been received: UART1_Init(4800); // initialize UART1 module Delay_ms(100); while (1) { if (UART1_Data_Ready() == 1) { // if data is received UART1_Read_Text(output, "OK", 10); // reads text until 'OK' is found UART1_Write_Text(output); // sends back text } }

UART_Set_Active

Prototype	void UART_Set_Active(char (read_ptr)(), void* (write_ptr)(unsigned char* data_), char (ready_ptr)(), char* (*tx_idle_ptr)())
Returns	Nothing.
Description	Sets active UART module which will be used by the UART library routines. Parameters : `read_ptr:` UARTx_Read handler `write_ptr:` UARTx_Write handler `ready_ptr:` UARTx_Data_Ready handler `tx_idle_ptr:` UARTx_Tx_Idle handler
Requires	Routine is available only for MCUs with two UART modules. Used UART module must be initialized before using this routine. See UARTx_Init routine
Example	UART1_Init(9600); // initialize UART1 module UART2_Init(9600); // initialize UART2 module RS485Master_Init(); // initialize MCU as Master UART_Set_Active(&UART1_Read, &UART1_Write, &UART1_Data_Ready, &UART1_Tx_Idle); // set UART1 active RS485Master_Send(dat,1,160); // send message through UART1 UART_Set_Active(&UART2_Read, &UART2_Write, &UART2_Data_Ready, &UART2_Tx_Idle); // set UART2 active RS485Master_Send(dat,1,160); // send through UART2

UART_Data_Ready

Prototype	char UART_Data_Ready();
Returns	`1` if data is ready for reading `0` if there is no data in the receive register
Description	Use the function to test if data in receive buffer is ready for reading. This is a generic routine which uses the active UART module previously activated by the UART_Set_Active routine.
Requires	MCU with the UART module. The UART module must be initialized before using this routine. See the UARTx_Init routine.
Example	// If data is ready, read it: if (UART_Data_Ready() == 1) { receive = UART_Read(); }

UART_Tx_Idle

Prototype	char UART_Tx_Idle();
Returns	`1` if the data has been transmitted `0` otherwise
Description	Use the function to test if the transmit shift register is empty or not. This is a generic routine which uses the active UART module previously activated by the UART_Set_Active routine.
Requires	UART HW module must be initialized and communication established before using this function. See UARTx_Init.
Example	// If the previous data has been shifted out, send next data: if (UART_Tx_Idle() == 1) { UART_Write(_data); }

UART_Read

Prototype	char UART_Read();
Returns	Returns the received byte.
Description	Function receives a byte via UART. Use the function UART_Data_Ready to test if data is ready first. This is a generic routine which uses the active UART module previously activated by the UART_Set_Active routine.
Requires	MCU with the UART module. The UART module must be initialized before using this routine. See UARTx_Init routine.
Example	// If data is ready, read it: if (UART_Data_Ready() == 1) { receive = UART_Read(); }

UART_Read_Text

Prototype	void UART_Read_Text(char Output, char* Delimiter, char* Attempts);
Returns	Nothing.
Description	Reads characters received via UART until the delimiter sequence is detected. The read sequence is stored in the parameter `output`; delimiter sequence is stored in the parameter `delimiter`. This is a blocking call: the delimiter sequence is expected, otherwise the procedure exits (if the delimiter is not found). This is a generic routine which uses the active UART module previously activated by the UART_Set_Active routine. Parameters : `Output:` received text `Delimiter:` sequence of characters that identifies the end of a received string `Attempts:` defines number of received characters in which `Delimiter` sequence is expected. If `Attempts` is set to 255, this routine will continuously try to detect the `Delimiter` sequence.
Requires	UART HW module must be initialized and communication established before using this function. See UARTx_Init.
Example	Read text until the sequence “OK” is received, and send back what’s been received: UART1_Init(4800); // initialize UART1 module Delay_ms(100); while (1) { if (UART_Data_Ready() == 1) { // if data is received UART_Read_Text(output, "OK", 10); // reads text until 'OK' is found UART_Write_Text(output); // sends back text } }

UART_Write

Prototype	void UART_Write(char data_);
Returns	Nothing.
Description	The function transmits a byte via the UART module. This is a generic routine which uses the active UART module previously activated by the UART_Set_Active routine. Parameters : `_data:` data to be sent
Requires	MCU with the UART module. The UART module must be initialized before using this routine. See UARTx_Init routine.
Example	unsigned char _data = 0x1E; ... UART_Write(_data);

UART_Write_Text

Prototype	void UART_Write_Text(char * UART_text);
Returns	Nothing.
Description	Sends text via UART. Text should be zero terminated. This is a generic routine which uses the active UART module previously activated by the UART_Set_Active routine. Parameters : `UART_text:` text to be sent
Requires	UART HW module must be initialized and communication established before using this function. See UARTx_Init.
Example	Read text until the sequence “OK” is received, and send back what’s been received: UART1_Init(4800); // initialize UART1 module Delay_ms(100); while (1) { if (UART_Data_Ready() == 1) { // if data is received UART_Read_Text(output, "OK", 10); // reads text until 'OK' is found UART_Write_Text(output); // sends back text } }

Library Example

The example demonstrates a simple data exchange via UART. When PIC MCU receives data, it immediately sends it back. If PIC is connected to the PC (see the figure below), you can test the example from the mikroC PRO for PIC terminal for RS-232 communication, menu choice Tools › Terminal.

Copy Code To Clipboard

char uart_rd;

void main() {
  ANSEL  = 0;                     // Configure AN pins as digital
  ANSELH = 0;
  
  UART1_Init(9600);               // Initialize UART module at 9600 bps
  Delay_ms(100);                  // Wait for UART module to stabilize
  
  UART1_Write_Text("Start");
  UART1_Write(10);
  UART1_Write(13);
  
  while (1) {                     // Endless loop
    if (UART1_Data_Ready()) {     // If data is received,
      uart_rd = UART1_Read();     // read the received data,
      UART1_Write(uart_rd);       // and send data via UART
    }
  }
}

HW Connection

RS-232 HW connection

Want more examples and libraries?
Find them on