Serial Ports!

[Animu's MasterRhythm]

Why do robotics and controller labs all require the use of serial ports as opposed to USB or something? Why the legacy ports? Does anyone know?

[Izzy]

Re: Serial Ports!

Perhaps serial ports are actually more simple to use because they directly translate signals into how you would use them with gate logic?

I've never taken a computer engineering course so that is my only guess. Probably way off.

[PsYcHoZeRoSk8eR]

Re: Serial Ports!

Why not serial? Why not just use Ethernet? Why not use fiber?

There is probably a scientific reason for using serials because if not then they are really wasting their time. Similar for the reasons for the way that Ethernet cables have to be a certain way otherwise they will not be as effective. Either that or it is really a whole lot cheaper to use serial and because of that they just make it work.

Now, I don't know the answer, those are just my thoughts.

[Animu's MasterRhythm]

Re: Serial Ports!

I think it was just set as a standard a while ago and old engineers are afraid of change. :<

[Izzy]

Re: Serial Ports!

That could certainly be part of it.

[JenovaSephiroth]

Re: Serial Ports!

Computer engineering major here. :P You don't have to jump through as many hoops to simply write signals to a serial port. They're more often used in experimental and proof-of-concept settings (such as robotics labs) because it takes less time to rig up. For example, you don't have to throw in additional libraries and utilize additional documentation just to test that three-line code you made the other day. Or, even worse, they make you code in assembly.

[Izzy]

Re: Serial Ports!

So maybe I was close with my original answer. I've done a little bit in assembly and it is a pain in the ass.