Thread: Serial port communication timeout

  1. #1
    Registered User
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    Oct 2008
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    Serial port communication timeout

    Hello,
    I'm implementing a simple protocol to communicate to a device via serial port.
    My program should:
    1)Write a packet
    2)Wait till a timer is expired, or exactly N characters are read

    In other words a complete packet should arrive within a certain time, or the read fails.

    I've read about termios config (VMIN & VTIME), as well as about open system call flags, but I'm a bit confused and need some clarification.
    Thanks!
    John

  2. #2
    Kernel hacker
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    Farncombe, Surrey, England
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    VMIN and VTIME is a bit tricky to get right.

    I think, if you have a set packet size, then you can set VMIN to the number of characters, and VTIME to the timeout value.

    If you have a variable packet size, then you will need to use a different technique - the best way is to set it up so that you have a short timeout, and then use a different mechanism (such as a timer) to detect overall timeouts.

    --
    Mats
    Compilers can produce warnings - make the compiler programmers happy: Use them!
    Please don't PM me for help - and no, I don't do help over instant messengers.

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