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Embedded Cprogramming~7 mins

DMA with UART for bulk transfer in Embedded C

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Introduction

DMA helps move large amounts of data through UART without using the CPU for every byte. This makes data transfer faster and frees the CPU for other tasks.

When you need to send or receive large blocks of data over UART efficiently.
When you want to reduce CPU load during continuous data transfer.
When your application requires real-time data streaming without delays.
When you want to avoid CPU overhead caused by interrupt-driven UART transfers.
When working with sensors or devices that send bulk data over UART.
Syntax
Embedded C
1. Configure UART peripheral for desired baud rate and settings.
2. Configure DMA channel:
   - Set source address (UART data register).
   - Set destination address (memory buffer).
   - Set transfer size (number of bytes).
   - Set direction (peripheral to memory or memory to peripheral).
3. Enable DMA channel.
4. Enable UART DMA requests.
5. Start transfer and wait for completion or handle via interrupts.

The exact register names and steps depend on your microcontroller.

DMA handles data movement automatically once started, reducing CPU involvement.

Examples
This example sets DMA to receive data from UART into a buffer automatically.
Embedded C
// Example: Setup DMA for UART RX bulk transfer
DMA_Channel->CPAR = (uint32_t)&UARTx->DR; // UART data register
DMA_Channel->CMAR = (uint32_t)rx_buffer; // memory buffer
DMA_Channel->CNDTR = BUFFER_SIZE; // number of bytes
DMA_Channel->CCR = DMA_CCR_MINC | DMA_CCR_EN | DMA_CCR_TCIE; // memory increment, enable, transfer complete interrupt
UARTx->CR3 |= USART_CR3_DMAR; // enable UART DMA receiver
This example sets DMA to send data from a buffer to UART automatically.
Embedded C
// Example: Setup DMA for UART TX bulk transfer
DMA_Channel->CPAR = (uint32_t)&UARTx->DR; // UART data register
DMA_Channel->CMAR = (uint32_t)tx_buffer; // memory buffer
DMA_Channel->CNDTR = BUFFER_SIZE; // number of bytes
DMA_Channel->CCR = DMA_CCR_MINC | DMA_CCR_DIR | DMA_CCR_EN | DMA_CCR_TCIE; // memory increment, direction memory to peripheral, enable, transfer complete interrupt
UARTx->CR3 |= USART_CR3_DMAT; // enable UART DMA transmitter
Sample Program

This program sets up a DMA transfer to send a string over UART. It simulates the DMA moving data from memory to UART data register. The output shows the string sent.

Embedded C
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>

#define BUFFER_SIZE 10

// Mock registers and bits for demonstration
volatile uint8_t UART_DR = 0;
volatile uint32_t DMA_CCR_EN = 1 << 0;
volatile uint32_t DMA_CCR_MINC = 1 << 1;
volatile uint32_t DMA_CCR_DIR = 1 << 4;
volatile uint32_t DMA_CCR_TCIE = 1 << 5;
volatile uint32_t USART_CR3_DMAR = 1 << 6;
volatile uint32_t USART_CR3_DMAT = 1 << 7;

// Simulated UART and DMA structures
typedef struct {
    volatile uint32_t CR3;
    volatile uint8_t DR;
} UART_TypeDef;

typedef struct {
    volatile uint32_t CPAR;
    volatile uint32_t CMAR;
    volatile uint32_t CNDTR;
    volatile uint32_t CCR;
} DMA_Channel_TypeDef;

UART_TypeDef UART1 = {0};
DMA_Channel_TypeDef DMA1_Channel4 = {0};

uint8_t tx_buffer[BUFFER_SIZE] = { 'H','e','l','l','o',' ','D','M','A','\0' };
uint8_t rx_buffer[BUFFER_SIZE] = {0};

void dma_uart_tx_start(UART_TypeDef *uart, DMA_Channel_TypeDef *dma, uint8_t *buffer, uint32_t size) {
    dma->CPAR = (uint32_t)&uart->DR; // UART data register
    dma->CMAR = (uint32_t)buffer;   // memory buffer
    dma->CNDTR = size;              // number of bytes
    dma->CCR = DMA_CCR_MINC | DMA_CCR_DIR | DMA_CCR_EN | DMA_CCR_TCIE; // enable DMA for memory to peripheral
    uart->CR3 |= USART_CR3_DMAT;    // enable UART DMA transmitter
}

int main() {
    // Start DMA transfer of tx_buffer over UART1
    dma_uart_tx_start(&UART1, &DMA1_Channel4, tx_buffer, BUFFER_SIZE);

    // Simulate DMA transfer by copying data manually (for demo only)
    for (int i = 0; i < BUFFER_SIZE; i++) {
        UART1.DR = tx_buffer[i];
        // Normally hardware moves data, here we just print
        // Simulate sending each byte
        // In real embedded code, UART DR register sends data
    }

    // Print what was sent
    for (int i = 0; i < BUFFER_SIZE; i++) {
        putchar(tx_buffer[i]);
    }
    putchar('\n');

    return 0;
}
OutputSuccess
Important Notes

DMA reduces CPU load by handling data transfer automatically.

Make sure to configure UART and DMA clocks and interrupts properly in real hardware.

Always check DMA transfer complete flags or interrupts to know when transfer ends.

Summary

DMA with UART lets you send or receive large data blocks efficiently.

It frees the CPU from moving each byte manually.

Setup involves configuring UART, DMA addresses, size, and enabling DMA requests.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What is the main advantage of using DMA with UART for bulk data transfer?
easy
A. It reduces CPU load by handling data transfer automatically.
B. It increases the UART baud rate beyond hardware limits.
C. It encrypts data during transmission for security.
D. It allows UART to work without any clock signal.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand DMA role in UART transfer

    DMA transfers data directly between memory and UART without CPU intervention for each byte.
  2. Step 2: Identify the benefit of reduced CPU load

    This frees CPU to perform other tasks while data moves in background.
  3. Final Answer:

    It reduces CPU load by handling data transfer automatically. -> Option A
  4. Quick Check:

    DMA offloads CPU [OK]
Hint: DMA moves data without CPU, so CPU load drops [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Thinking DMA increases UART speed beyond hardware limits
  • Confusing DMA with encryption or clock control
  • Assuming UART can work without clock signal
2. Which of the following code snippets correctly enables UART DMA transmission in embedded C?
easy
A. UART->CR3 |= USART_CR3_DMAT;
B. UART->CR1 |= USART_CR1_DMAT;
C. DMA->CR |= DMA_CR_EN;
D. UART->BRR = USART_BRR_DMAT;

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify UART register for DMA transmit enable

    UART control register 3 (CR3) contains the DMAT bit to enable DMA for transmission.
  2. Step 2: Check correct bit and register usage

    Setting USART_CR3_DMAT in UART->CR3 enables DMA transmit requests.
  3. Final Answer:

    UART->CR3 |= USART_CR3_DMAT; -> Option A
  4. Quick Check:

    DMA transmit enable bit is in CR3 [OK]
Hint: DMA transmit enable is in UART CR3 register [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Using CR1 instead of CR3 for DMA transmit enable
  • Confusing DMA channel enable with UART DMA request enable
  • Setting baud rate register instead of control bits
3. Given this DMA setup code for UART RX bulk transfer, what will be the value of DMA->NDTR after starting the transfer?
DMA->CCR = DMA_CCR_MINC | DMA_CCR_TCIE;
DMA->CNDTR = 100;
DMA->CPAR = (uint32_t)&UART->RDR;
DMA->CMAR = (uint32_t)rx_buffer;
DMA->CCR |= DMA_CCR_EN;
medium
A. 0
B. 99
C. 100
D. Undefined

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand DMA CNDTR register role

    CNDTR holds the number of data items to transfer; initially set to 100.
  2. Step 2: Check when CNDTR changes

    CNDTR decrements only after each data transfer, so right after enabling DMA, it remains 100.
  3. Final Answer:

    100 -> Option C
  4. Quick Check:

    DMA transfer count starts at set value = 100 [OK]
Hint: DMA count decrements after transfer, not immediately [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Assuming CNDTR decrements immediately on enable
  • Confusing CNDTR with current data register
  • Thinking CNDTR resets to zero on start
4. Identify the error in this DMA UART transmit setup code snippet:
DMA->CCR = DMA_CCR_MINC | DMA_CCR_DIR;
DMA->CNDTR = 50;
DMA->CPAR = (uint32_t)&UART->TDR;
DMA->CMAR = (uint32_t)tx_buffer;
DMA->CCR |= DMA_CCR_EN;
UART->CR3 &= ~USART_CR3_DMAT;
medium
A. DMA direction bit is set incorrectly for UART transmit.
B. UART DMA transmit request is disabled after enabling DMA.
C. Memory increment mode is not enabled.
D. Peripheral address points to wrong UART register.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Check UART DMA transmit enable bit

    UART->CR3 must have DMAT bit set to enable DMA requests for transmit.
  2. Step 2: Identify disabling of DMAT bit

    Code clears DMAT bit after DMA enable, disabling UART DMA transmit requests, so transfer won't start.
  3. Final Answer:

    UART DMA transmit request is disabled after enabling DMA. -> Option B
  4. Quick Check:

    DMAT bit must be set for DMA transmit [OK]
Hint: Keep UART DMAT bit set to allow DMA transmit [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Disabling UART DMA transmit request after DMA enable
  • Confusing DMA direction bit meaning
  • Forgetting to enable memory increment mode
5. You want to transfer 256 bytes from a memory buffer to UART using DMA. Which sequence correctly sets up the DMA and UART for this bulk transfer?
hard
A. Set DMA source to UART RDR, destination to buffer, length 256; enable UART DMAR bit; enable DMA channel.
B. Set DMA source to UART TDR, destination to buffer, length 256; enable UART DMAR bit; enable DMA channel.
C. Set DMA source to buffer, destination to UART RDR, length 256; enable UART DMAT bit; enable DMA channel.
D. Set DMA source to buffer, destination to UART TDR, length 256; enable UART DMAT bit; enable DMA channel.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify direction for UART transmit DMA

    For UART transmit, DMA source is memory buffer, destination is UART TDR register.
  2. Step 2: Enable UART DMA transmit request and DMA channel

    Set UART DMAT bit to enable DMA requests on transmit, then enable DMA channel to start transfer.
  3. Final Answer:

    Set DMA source to buffer, destination to UART TDR, length 256; enable UART DMAT bit; enable DMA channel. -> Option D
  4. Quick Check:

    Memory to UART TDR + DMAT enabled [OK]
Hint: For UART TX DMA: memory source, UART TDR destination, enable DMAT [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing UART TDR and RDR registers for source/destination
  • Using DMAR bit for transmit instead of DMAT
  • Setting DMA direction opposite to data flow
Recommended

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10 questions~5 mineasy hard