Hello!
I have a simple UART communication signal coming from a µC, in the rangeof 1-50 MHz (not decided yet). Theoretically, the signal could originate from a MCU's GPIO as well.
The signal is transmitted to several other µCs. In the transmission line, there are several switches and connectors and bifurcations that cannot be avoided and deteriorate the signal. What looked perfectly square and steep flank in the beginning is not recognizable when arriving at some of the destination MCUs, because the switches round the flanks, and there are reflections in the line and some signal attenuation.
We are talking about unidirectional traffic at the moment as a simplification. Later, half-duplex operation will be used too.
Even if I use buses (I2C, RS-485, CAN...), similar problems arise through the above mentioned issues in the transmission path.
What I am looking for is the following:
I guess that components exist that simply take an input signal (ideally with help of sub-sampling), detect if it is 0 and 1, and output a new, nice, "perfectly" square output signal. Of course, there will be a little propagation delay, but I expect this to be only a bit longer than the duration of one bit (right?). The transmission speed is constant and known. However, I would like to avoid sending a clock signal, as that signal would deteriorate as well and would need an additional connection.
What type of components, and possibly which concrete choice for a TTL +5V signal against GND could you recommend? I was looking for repeaters, but could not find one for a "simple" UART signal. Or do I need a 1-bit buffer?
It seems that I could pass the signal through 2 inverters such as SN7414? But this would waste PCB space, connections and probably propagation delay.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Christoph
