chapter

networks

*Bitbanging

Bit banging is a term of art that describes a method of digital data transmission as using general-purpose input/output (GPIO) instead of computer hardware that is intended specifically for data communication.[1] Controlling software is responsible for satisfying protocol requirements including timing which can be challenging due to limited host system resources and competing demands on the software.

In contrast, dedicated communication hardware (e.g., UART, SPI, I²C) satisfies protocol requirements which tends to reduce the runtime load on the controlling system – software and its host processor. In particular, some communication hardware provides data buffering to lower the runtime load of the controlling system.

The bit banging method may allow a computer to support a protocol with limited or no hardware changes and therefore bit banging can be a lower cost option since changing software is typically less expensive than changing hardware.

Bit banging is commonly used in embedded systems