Why do I need to use flow control?

Answer

Some serial implementations link CTS and RTS to remove the need for handshaking. Laird does not recommend linking CTS and RTS other than for testing and prototyping. If these pins are linked and the host sends data at the point that the module deasserts its RTS signal, then there is a significant risk that internal receive buffers will overflow; this could lead to data loss and may require a power cycle to reset the module. Laird recommends that the correct CTS/RTS

handshaking protocol be followed for proper operation.