
LTC5800-IPM
29
5800ipmfa
For more information www.linear.com/LTC5800-IPM
OPERATION
UART Mode 4
UART Mode 4 incorporates level-sensitive flow control
on the TX channel and requires no flow control on the
RX channel, supporting both 9600 and 115200 baud.
The use of level-sensitive flow control signals enables
data rates above 9600 baud with the option of using a
reduced set of the flow control signals; however, Mode
4 has specific limitations. First, The use of the RX flow
control signals (UART_RX_RTSn and UART_RX_CTSn)
for Mode 4 are optional provided the use is limited to the
industrial temperature range (–40°C to 85°C); otherwise,
the flow control is mandatory. If RX flow control signals
are not used, UART_RX_RTSn should be tied to VSUPPLY
(inactive) and UART_RX_CTSn should be left unconnected.
Second, unless the companion processor is always ready
to receive a packet, the companion processor must negate
UART_TX_CTSn prior to the end of the current packet.
Failure to negate UART_TX_CTSn prior to the end of a
packet may result in back to back packets. Third, the
companion processor must wait at least tRX_INTERPACKET
between transmitting packets on UART_RX. See the
UART AC Characteristics section for complete timing
specifications. Packets are HDLC encoded with one stop
bit and no parity bit. The flow control signals for the TX
channel are shown in Figure 17. Transfers are initiated by
Eterna asserting UART_TX_RTSn. The UART_TX_CTSn
signal may be actively driven by the companion proces-
sor when ready to receive a packet or UART_TX_CTSn
may be tied low if the companion processor is always
ready to receive a packet. After detecting a logic ‘0’ on
UART_TX_CTSn Eterna sends the entire packet. Follow-
ing the transmission of the final byte in the packet Eterna
negates UART_TX_RTSn and waits for tTX_INTERPACKET,
defined in the UART AC Characteristics section, before
asserting UART_TX_RTSn again.
For details on the timing of the UART protocol, see the
UART AC Characteristics section.
CLI UART
The command line interface (CLI) UART port is a two
wire protocol (TX and RX) that operates at a fixed 9600
baud rate with one stop bit and no parity. The CLI UART
interface is intended to support command line instructions
and response activity.
AUTONOMOUS MAC
Eterna was designed as a system solution to provide a
reliable, ultralow power, and secure network. A reliable
network capable of dynamically optimizing operation
over changing environments requires solutions that are
far too complex to completely support through hardware
acceleration alone. As described in the Precision Timing
section, proper time management is essential for optimizing
a solution that is both low power and reliable. To address
these requirements Eterna includes the Autonomous MAC,
which incorporates a co-processor for controlling all of
the time-critical radio operations. The Autonomous MAC
provides two benefits: first, preventing variable software
latency from affecting network timing and second, greatly
reducing system power consumption by allowing the CPU
to remain inactive during the majority of the radio activity.
The Autonomous MAC, provides software-independent
timing control of the radio and radio-related functions,
resulting in superior reliability and exceptionally low power.
SECURITY
Network security is an often overlooked component of
a complete network solution. Proper implementation of
security protocols is significant in terms of both engineer-
ing effort and market value in an OEM product. Eterna
system solutions provide a FIPS-140 compliant encryp-
tion scheme that includes authentication and encryption
at the MAC and network layers with separate keys for
each mote. This not only yields end-to-end security, but
if a mote is somehow compromised, communication
from other motes is still secure. A mechanism for secure
key exchange allows keys to be kept fresh. To prevent
physical attacks, Eterna includes hardware support for
Figure 17. UART Mode 4 Transmit Flow Control
5800IPM F13
UART_TX BYTE 0 BYTE 1
UART_TX_CTSn
UART_TX_RTSn