Serial Communication Channels
While it seems old to use serial communications, the fact is that nearly all
forms of electronic communication today are serial. That includes Gigabit
networks and fiber optic channels. It is by no means a thing of the past.
Every byte of information must be broken down into bits and those marched
across the channel one at a time. Most of the newer communications technologies
negotiate and handle channel configuration in the background and without your
involvement. This was not the case originally. And since JNIOR provides a range
of serial capabilities, some of the
configuration is still in your hands.
The earliest serial communications were limited in transmission rate. Limited
by the speed at which the receiving hardware could act on the data. A Teletype
could print characters perhaps as fast at 10 per second. Bit rates of 110 Baud
were then normal. As hardware improved, and once the electronics could buffer,
the baud rates increased. These became selectable with values starting at 110
and incrementing in steps that offered typical values like 300, 1200, 4800 and
9600 baud.
The JNIOR, knowing that it must support older equipment, still provides serial
channels. These can support RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485 standard communications.
Baud rates can be configured as high as 250 Kbaud. And USB adapters are
available to extend functionality.