Basic Function | A multi-master, multi-slave, packet switched, single-ended, serial computer bus. | A synchronous serial communication interface specification used for short-distance communication. | A serial communication protocol for asynchronous serial data communication. | A communication protocol that can be configured in either asynchronous or synchronous mode. | A robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other’s applications without a host computer. |
Data Transfer Speed | Relatively slow (standard modes up to 400 Kbps, high-speed mode up to 3.4 Mbps). | Faster than I2C (up to tens of Mbps). | Lower speed compared to SPI and I2C (typical baud rates range from 9600 to 115200 bps). | Flexible, supports both UART speeds and higher synchronous speeds. | Moderate (up to 1 Mbps for shorter distances). |
Complexity | Moderate (requires addressing, arbitration, and error checking). | Simple (but requires more I/O lines for multiple devices). | Simple (uses two wires for full-duplex communication). | More complex (combines features of UART with synchronous capabilities). | More complex due to robust error detection and handling features. |
Number of Devices Supported | Supports multiple devices on the same bus (multi-master, multi-slave). | Supports multiple devices but requires additional lines per device (not suitable for very large networks). | Point-to-point communication between two devices. | Similar to UART but with additional synchronous mode capabilities. | Designed for large networks (up to 120 nodes). |
Typical Use Cases | Used in embedded systems for sensor integration, RTC, EEPROM. | Commonly used for short-distance, high-speed communication in embedded systems. | Used in serial communication for PCs, sensors, and low-speed data transfer. | Used in applications that require both types of serial communication. | Primarily used in automotive applications for connecting sensors, actuators, and control units. |