Introduction to SENT

The SENT protocol (Single Edge Nibble Transmission) is an output only, or one-way, scheme for transmitting signal values from a sensor to a controller. SENT allows for high resolution data transmission, but at lower system costs.

Data units are measured as ‘nibble’ (4 bits) with unit of time being ticks. Each message frame starts with a sync/calibration pulse which allows for the measurement of the tick time of the SENT output. After the pulse, the communication data is transmitted and is then bookended by  a checksum nibble as well as an optional pause pulse.