meshtastic/website/docs/software/plugins/serial.md
2021-04-13 20:18:52 +01:00

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---
id: serial-plugin
title: Serial communication plugin
sidebar_label: Serial communication
---
## About
This is a simple interface to send messages over the mesh network by sending strings over a serial port.
Default is to use RX GPIO 16 and TX GPIO 17.
## Basic Usage:
1. Enable the plugin by setting serialplugin_enabled to 1.
2. Set the pins (serialplugin_rxd / serialplugin_rxd) for your preferred RX and TX GPIO pins. On tbeam boards it is recommend to use:
* RXD 35
* TXD 15
3. Set serialplugin_timeout to the amount of time to wait before we consider your packet as "done".
4. (Optional) In SerialPlugin.h set the port to `PortNum_TEXT_MESSAGE_APP`if you want to send messages to/from the general text message channel.
5. Connect to your device over the serial interface at `38400 8N1`.
6. Send a packet up to 240 bytes in length. This will get relayed over the mesh network.
7. (Optional) Set serialplugin_echo to 1 and any message you send out will be echoed back to your device.
## TODO (in this order):
* Define a verbose RX mode to report on mesh and packet infomration.
:::note
This won't happen any time soon.
:::
## Known Problems
* Until the plugin is initilized by the startup sequence, the TX pin is in a floating state. Device connected to that pin may see this as "noise".
* Will not work on NRF and the Linux device targets.
## Need help?
Need help with this plugin? Post your question on the Meshtastic Discourse:
https://meshtastic.discourse.group