Hi guys

I want to do something like these:

typedef struct {
  uint8_t data[UART_BUFFER_SIZE];
  uint16_t num_bytes;
  bool data_is_ready;
}rx_buffer_typedef;

//declare rx buffer
rx_buffer_typedef rx_buffer = { {0}, 0 , 0};

void interrupt uart_rx (void)
{
   //to-do: check uart_rx flag
   rx_buffer.data[rx_buffer.num_bytes] = uart_read_byte();
   rx_buffer.num_bytes++;
   //how do I know the block of data I want to receive is finished sending
   //and set my data_is_ready = 1;
   //at the same time, let the sender know I can't receive more data
   //until my data is being handled in the main loop?
}

main loop:

if (rx_buffer.data_is_ready == 1)
{
    //do something
    //discard uart buffer data when done
    rx_buffer.data_is_ready = 0;
}

So how do I know the block of data I want to receive is finished sending. And at the same time, let the sender know I can't receive more data until my data is being handled in the main loop?

Is this the right approach for what I want to do? Or is there a better way? Thanks guys!!

 

XON/XOFF is a simple flow control protocol with a straightforward implementation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_flow_control

You can makeup almost any packet framing protocol you like.
Here is a blast form the past. IBM Bisync
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_Synchronous_Communications
It has "Wait for Acknowledgement" (WACK) and "Temporary Text Delay"(TTD)

There is also SLIP, or Serial Link Internet Protocol (RFC 1055)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Line_Internet_Protocol