BiSS-C Protocol Support

Robotics & Industrial

BiSS-C Serial Sensor Interface

What is BiSS-C?

BiSS-C (Bidirectional Synchronous Serial interface, continuous mode) is an open-standard serial protocol for connecting position encoders, angle sensors, and other precision measurement devices to controllers in industrial motion control systems. BiSS-C uses two signals: MA (Master clock/Acknowledge) driven by the controller and SLO (Slave output) driven by the sensor. The master generates a clock on MA, and the sensor responds with position data, status bits, and CRC on SLO. BiSS-C supports high-resolution absolute position data at clock rates up to 10 MHz and includes error detection through CRC verification. Engineers debugging servo drives, CNC machines, and robotic systems use BiSS-C analysis to verify encoder communication, validate position data accuracy, and diagnose CRC errors.

BiSS-C Quick Reference

type Serial, synchronous
signals MA, SLO
max Speed 10 MHz
voltage Range 5V
features Encoder/sensor interface

Acute Instruments Supporting BiSS-C

Recommended Solutions

Recommended for Decode

TB3016F

TB3016F

With Analog Channels

MSO2116E

MSO2116E

All Supporting Products

Protocol Decode
Hardware Trigger
Protocol Exerciser

TravelBus Series

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How to Analyze BiSS-C with Acute Instruments

1

Connect your Acute logic analyzer to the BiSS-C MA and SLO signals at the encoder or controller.

2

Attach a ground lead to the target board's ground reference.

3

In the Acute software, select the BiSS-C protocol decoder and assign MA and SLO to the correct input channels.

4

Configure the expected resolution (number of data bits) and CRC polynomial for your sensor.

5

Capture and view decoded BiSS-C frames showing position data, error/warning bits, and CRC validation status.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sample rate do I need for BiSS-C analysis?
BiSS-C clocks operate at up to 10 MHz. Sample at a minimum of 40 MHz (4x the clock) for reliable decoding. A sample rate of 100 MHz or higher provides good timing margin for verifying setup and hold times on the SLO data line relative to the MA clock edges.
Why is my BiSS-C decoder showing CRC errors?
BiSS-C CRC errors can indicate actual sensor communication issues (cable problems, EMI) or a decoder configuration mismatch. Verify that the CRC polynomial and data resolution settings in the decoder match the sensor's actual output format. Some sensors also include additional status bits that change the frame length — confirm the total number of data and status bits matches the sensor datasheet.
How many channels are needed for BiSS-C analysis?
BiSS-C requires 2 channels: MA (clock/acknowledge) and SLO (slave data output). If your sensor also uses the SLI (Slave input) line for register programming, add a 3rd channel. For systems with multiple BiSS-C sensors on separate interfaces, allocate 2 channels per sensor.

Related Protocols

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