UART Over Ethernet

Hardware and Software Solutions for UART over Ethernet Communication

Updated: Jan 15, 2024

Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) and Ethernet are popular and commonly used data communication technologies. Ethernet supports high-speed data transmission over a network. UART supports serial communication between devices. Users often face challenges when integrating UART into systems communicating via Ethernet technology.

This article looks at hardware and software methods of implementing UART to Ethernet communication and discusses which techniques work best for various usage scenarios.

How to Connect UART to Ethernet

UART over Ethernet communication requires the conversion of UART signals into an appropriate protocol for Ethernet data transmission. A Serial to Ethernet Converter typically performs this conversion. You may see a UART-to-serial converter called a UART to Ethernet bridge or a device server. The following are the best solutions to set up UART over Ethernet functionality.

Deploy a Serial to Ethernet Converter

A Serial to Ethernet converter can connect UART devices, such as sensors or microcontrollers, to an Ethernet network. The converter serves as a bridge between the network and devices. A converter enables UART devices to transmit data over Ethernet as if connected to a physical serial port.

Use these steps to deploy a UART over Ethernet converter:

Select a converter: Multiple Serial to Ethernet converters are available from companies like Lantronix (XPort), Moxa (NPort), and Digi (ConnectPort).
Connect a UART device to the converter: Connect the UART lines (TX, RX, GND) to the converter’s serial port.
Connect the converter to Ethernet: Connect the converter’s Ethernet port to the local network.
Configure the converter’s parameters: Use the converter's configuration interface to configure parameters like port settings and IP address.
Enable software communication: Use an application like a terminal emulator that supports TCP/IP connectivity to establish Ethernet communication with the UDP or TCP protocol.

Advantages:

Simple deployment: A UART to Ethernet adapter offers plug-and-play functionality and models already configured for use are available.
Supports multiple protocols: TCP/IP and UDP/IP over Ethernet communication are supported by a hardware converter.
Remote Access: The converter enables remote access of UART devices over a network.

Disadvantages:

Cost: Quality UART to Ethernet converters can be costly.
Latency: The conversion process may result in unwanted latency.

Build a UART-to-Ethernet Converter

You can build a customizable and inexpensive UART to Ethernet bridge with a microcontroller or field programmable gate array (FPGA) equipped with UART and Ethernet interfaces.

Required components:

Microcontroller: A microcontroller like a Raspberry Pi, STM32, or ESP32 that supports Ethernet or Wi-Fi and has a UART port is needed.
Ethernet interface: If your microcontroller is not equipped with an Ethernet interface, you can use a UART Ethernet module like the ENC28J60 or Wiznet W5100.
Firmware: You will need to develop firmware with these capabilities:
- It can read data from the UART port;
- Can send and receive Ethernet data over the network;
- Converts UART data into TCP/UDP Ethernet frames;
- Converts Ethernet data to UART signals.

Implementation steps:

UART to Ethernet: The microcontroller receives UART data and encapsulates it into TCP or UDP packets for transmission over Ethernet.
Network Setup: Give your device an IP address and configure the network to enable communication.
Receive and convert data: A receiving microcontroller or similar device receives and extracts UART data from the Ethernet and transmits it via UART.

Advantages:

Customizable: You have complete control over data transmission.
Flexibility: You can add features such as error handling or encryption to enhance communication.
Cost: This may be a less expensive solution for users with microcontrollers and Ethernet components.

Disadvantages:

Complexity: Implementing the communication logic and protocol handling can be challenging.
Development time: Designing, programming, and testing the solution can be time-consuming.

Use a Single-board Computer Like a Raspberry Pi

A single-board computer (SBC) such as a Raspberry Pi that supports Ethernet connectivity can serve as a UART to Ethernet bridge and an end device.

How to configure an SBC as a UART to Ethernet converter:

Hardware: Connect the UART device to the Raspberry Pi with a USB-to-UART adapter. You can also directly connect the device’s GPIO pins to UART lines on the SBC.
Network: Connect the Raspberry Pi to the network with Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Software: Tunnel the UART data over Ethernet using Raspberry Pi software such as socat or ser2net. You can use ser2net to establish a TCP server to identify incoming Ethernet communication and forward data to a UART device.

Advantages:

Affordable: Using a Raspberry Pi and USB to UART adapter is an inexpensive solution.
Flexible: Setup and customization can be performed with open-source tools.
Powerful: The Raspberry Pi can perform additional tasks like data logging or protocol conversion.

Disadvantages:

Size and power consumption: A Raspberry Pi might be larger than you need or consume too much power for a simple UART to Ethernet communication.
Learning Curve: Setup requires Linux knowledge.

Use Serial to Ethernet Connector Software

Serial to Ethernet Connector software can serve as a UART over Ethernet adapter by supporting communication between a serial device and an Ethernet network. Let’s look at the details of this UART to Ethernet communication solution.

How Serial to Ethernet Connector Software Works

Serial to Ethernet Connector software creates virtual serial ports that can be mapped to an Ethernet network. The virtual serial port converter UART signals to a protocol suitable for network communication, typically TCP/IP or UDP.

Here are the details of how Serial to Ethernet Connector provides UART over Ethernet connectivity.

Virtual COM port mapping: The software creates virtual serial ports that emulate physical ports on a computer. The virtual ports are linked to an Ethernet communication channel using the TCP or UDP protocols to transmit data between devices via the network.

Encapsulating UART data: The software encapsulates UART data into the TCP/IP or UDP protocol before being transmitted over the Ethernet through the virtual serial port. The receiving device reverses the process and unpacks the data, converting it to UART signals at the virtual serial port.

Two-way communication: The software establishes a two-way communication channel that facilitates the sending and receiving of data between the Ethernet and UART devices.

Configuring the connection: The software can connect to defined IP addresses to enable UART devices to communicate with remote network-connected computers. This feature provides remote access to send and receive UART data over the network.

Advantages of UART over Ethernet software

Remote Access: The software supports remote access to control and monitor UART devices across Ethernet networks.
No hardware necessary: Software eliminates the need for hardware converters and helps support network-based communication.
Cost: Software offers a flexible and cost-effective method of connecting multiple UART devices without purchasing additional hardware converters.

Serial to Ethernet Connector software can replace hardware solutions to establish UART data transmission over an Ethernet network. A software solution requires computers or devices that can run the application. Embedded systems or hardware-based communication may benefit from a hardware UART to Ethernet converter for enhanced reliability.

Key Differences Between Hardware and Software-based UART-to-Ethernet Connectors

Feature	Serial to Ethernet Connector (Software)	UART-to-Ethernet Converter (Hardware)
Form Factor	Software running on a PC or embedded system	Physical hardware device
Ease of Setup	Requires installation and configuration of software	Typically plug-and-play; minimal configuration needed
Flexibility	Highly customizable; can be adapted to specific needs	Limited; constrained by the hardware and firmware
Cost	Lower cost; uses existing hardware like PCs or SBCs	Higher upfront cost for hardware
Latency	Higher latency due to software processing	Lower latency; optimized for real-time systems
Maintenance	Software may need periodic updates or troubleshooting	Typically lower; hardware is dedicated and stable
Use Cases	Prototyping, low-cost or flexible applications	Industrial, embedded systems, real-time applications

Choose a hardware UART to Ethernet Converter when these features are essential:

Reliability for embedded, commercial, or industrial applications;
Continuous stable operation and low latency are critical;
Plug-and-play functionality streamlines deployment.

Select a software-based UART to Ethernet Connector when:

You need a flexible and economical solution for application development and testing;
You have a device capable of running Serial to Ethernet conversion software;
You want to customize the converter with features like logging or encryption.

Conclusion:

The requirements of your application or computing environment should influence the choice between a hardware and software converter. A hardware UART to Ethernet converter provides a reliable solution for industrial settings with streamlined deployment. Software solutions like Serial to Ethernet Connector are an excellent choice for application development or when cost is a factor. The software option enables customization and is more flexible than a hardware solution.

Serial to Ethernet Connector

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