UART Serial Data

Two methods of data transmission are used. One method involves a Universally Asynchronous Receiving and Transmitting (UART) protocol. The UART is an interfacing device that allows the on-board computer to send and receive serial data. Serial data refers to information that is transferred in a linear fashion - over a single line, one bit at a time. A data bus is the electronic pathway through which serial data travels. The UART receives data in a serial format, converts the data to parallel format, and places the data on the data bus which is recognizable to the on-board computer. This method had been the common strategy for establishing a communication link between the on-board control module and the off-board monitor or scanner since 1981. The UART is sometimes used to communicate between modules within the vehicle.