Functional Description
11.4.2.1 Character Length
The transmitter can accommodate either 8-bit or 9-bit data. The state of the M bit in SCI control register
1 (SCC1) determines character length. When transmitting 9-bit data, bit T8 in SCI control register 3
(SCC3) is the ninth bit (bit 8).
11.4.2.2 Character Transmission
During an SCI transmission, the transmit shift register shifts a character out to the TxD pin. The SCI data
register (SCDR) is the write-only buffer between the internal data bus and the transmit shift register. To
initiate an SCI transmission:
1. Enable the SCI by writing a logic 1 to the enable SCI bit (ENSCI) in SCI control register 1 (SCC1).
2. Enable the transmitter by writing a logic 1 to the transmitter enable bit (TE) in SCI control register
2 (SCC2).
3. Clear the SCI transmitter empty bit by first reading SCI status register 1 (SCS1) and then writing
to the SCDR.
4. Repeat step 3 for each subsequent transmission.
At the start of a transmission, transmitter control logic automatically loads the transmit shift register with
a preamble of logic 1s. After the preamble shifts out, control logic transfers the SCDR data into the
transmit shift register. A logic 0 start bit automatically goes into the least significant bit position of the
transmit shift register. A logic 1 stop bit goes into the most significant bit position.
The SCI transmitter empty bit, SCTE, in SCS1 becomes set when the SCDR transfers a byte to the
transmit shift register. The SCTE bit indicates that the SCDR can accept new data from the internal data
bus. If the SCI transmit interrupt enable bit, SCTIE, in SCC2 is also set, the SCTE bit generates a
transmitter CPU interrupt request.
When the transmit shift register is not transmitting a character, the TxD pin goes to the idle condition,
logic 1. If at any time software clears the ENSCI bit in SCI control register 1 (SCC1), the transmitter and
receiver relinquish control of the port pin.
11.4.2.3 Break Characters
Writing a logic 1 to the send break bit, SBK, in SCC2 loads the transmit shift register with a break
character. A break character contains all logic 0s and has no start, stop, or parity bit. Break character
length depends on the M bit in SCC1. As long as SBK is at logic 1, transmitter logic continuously loads
break characters into the transmit shift register. After software clears the SBK bit, the shift register finishes
transmitting the last break character and then transmits at least one logic 1. The automatic logic 1 at the
end of a break character guarantees the recognition of the start bit of the next character.
The SCI recognizes a break character when a start bit is followed by eight or nine logic 0 data bits and a
logic 0 where the stop bit should be.
Receiving a break character has these effects on SCI registers:
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•
•
•
•
•
Sets the framing error bit (FE) in SCS1
Sets the SCI receiver full bit (SCRF) in SCS1
Clears the SCI data register (SCDR)
Clears the R8 bit in SCC3
Sets the break flag bit (BKF) in SCS2
May set the overrun (OR), noise flag (NF), parity error (PE), or reception in progress flag (RPF) bits
MC68HC908AP Family Data Sheet, Rev. 4
Freescale Semiconductor
159
FREESCALE [ Freescale ]
