RS-485: Difference between revisions

In telecommunications, EIA-485 (formerly RS-485 or RS485) is an electrical specification of a two-wire,^[1] half-duplex, multipoint serial communications channel. Since it uses a differential balanced line over twisted pair (like EIA-422), it can span relatively large distances (up to 4,000 feet (1,200 m)).

This standard is now administered by the TIA and is titled TIA-485-A Electrical Characteristics of Generators and Receivers for Use in Balanced Digital Multipoint Systems (ANSI/TIA/EIA-485-A-98) (R2003), indicating that the standard was re-affirmed without technical changes in 2003.

EIA-485 only specifies electrical characteristics of the driver and the receiver. It does not specify or recommend any data protocol. EIA-485 enables the configuration of inexpensive local networks and multidrop communications links. It offers high data transmission speeds (35 Mbit/s up to 10 m and 100 kbit/s at 1200 m). Since it uses a differential balanced line over twisted pair (like EIA-422), it can span relatively large distances (up to 4000 feet or just over 1200 metres).

In contrast to EIA-422, which has a single driver circuit which cannot be switched off, EIA-485 drivers need to be put in transmit mode explicitly by asserting a signal to the driver. This allows EIA-485 to implement linear topologies using only two wires. The equipment located along a set of EIA-485 wires are interchangeably called nodes, stations and devices. ^[2]

The recommended arrangement of the wires is as a connected series of point-to-point (multidropped) nodes, a line or bus, not a star, ring, or multiply-connected network. Ideally, the two ends of the cable will have a termination resistor connected across the two wires. Without termination resistors, reflections of fast driver edges can cause multiple data edges that can cause data corruption. Termination resistors also reduce electrical noise sensitivity due to the lower impedance, and bias resistors (see below) are required. The value of each termination resistor should be equal to the cable impedance (typically, 120 ohms for twisted pairs).

Star and ring topologies are not recommended because of signal reflections or excessively low or high termination impedance. But if a star configuration is unavoidable, such as when controlling multiple pan-tilt-zoom video cameras from a central video surveillance hub, special EIA-485 star/hub repeaters are available which bidirectionally listen for data on each span and then retransmit the data onto all other spans.

Somewhere along the set of wires, powered resistors are established to bias each data line/wire when the lines are not being driven by any device. This way, the lines will be biased to known voltages and nodes will not interpret the noise from undriven lines as actual data; without biasing resistors, the data lines float in such a way that electrical noise sensitivity is greatest when all device stations are silent or unpowered.^{[citation needed]}

Often in a master-slave arrangement when one device dubbed "the master" initiates all communication activity, the master device itself provides the bias and not the slave devices. In this configuration, the master device is typically centrally located along the set of EIA-485 wires, so it would be two slave devices located at the physical end of the wires that would provide the termination. The master device would provide termination if it itself was located at a physical end of the wires, but that is often a bad design as the master would be better located at a halfway point between the slave devices. Note that it is not a good idea to apply the bias at multiple node locations, because, by doing so, the effective bias resistance is lowered, which could possibly cause a violation of the EIA-485 specification and cause communications to malfunction. By keeping the biasing with the master, slave device design is simplified and this situation is avoided.

EIA-485, like EIA-422 can be made full-duplex by using four wires. Since EIA-485 is a multi-point specification, however, this is not necessary in many cases. EIA-485 and EIA-422 can interoperate with certain restrictions.

Converters between EIA-485 and other formats are available to allow a personal computer to communicate with remote devices. By using "Repeaters" and "Multi-Repeaters" very large RS485 networks can be formed. The Application Guidelines for TIA/EIA-485-A has one diagram called "Star Configuration. Not recommended." Using an RS485 "Multi-Repeater" can allow for "Star Configurations" with "Home Runs" (or multi-drop) connections similar to Ethernet Hub/Star implementations (with greater distances). Hub/Star systems (with "Multi-Repeaters") allow for very maintainable systems, without violating any of the RS485 specifications. Repeaters can also be used to extend the distance or number of nodes on a network.

EIA-485 signals are used in a wide range of computer and automation systems. In a computer system, SCSI-2 and SCSI-3 use this specification to implement the physical layer for data transmission between a controller and a disk drive. EIA-485 is used for low-speed data communications in commercial aircraft cabins vehicle bus. It requires minimal wiring, and can share the wiring among several seats, reducing weight.

EIA-485 is used as the physical layer underlying many standard and proprietary automation protocols used to implement Industrial Control Systems, including the most common versions of Modbus and Profibus. These are used in programmable logic controllers and on factory floors. Since it is differential, it resists electromagnetic interference from motors and welding equipment.

In theatre and performance venues, EIA-485 signals are used to control sound systems and lighting. The EIA-485 link is typically implemented over standard XLR cables more usually used for microphones, and so can be run between stage and control desk without laying special cables. Theatrical and disco lighting is controlled with the DMX protocol.

EIA-485 also is used in Building automation as the simple bus wiring and long cable length is ideal for joining remote devices. It may be used to control video surveillance systems or to interconnect security control panels and devices such as access control card readers.

Although many applications use EIA 485 signal levels, the speed, format, and protocol of the data transmission is not specified by EIA 485. Interoperation even of similar devices from different manufacturers is not assured by compliance with the signal levels alone.

EIA-485 does not specify any connector or pinout. Circuits may be terminated on screw terminals, D-subminiature connectors, or other types of connectors.

The EIA-485 differential line consists of two pins:

• A aka '−' aka TxD-/RxD- aka inverting pin
• B aka '+' aka TxD+/RxD+ aka non-inverting pin

The B line is positive (compared to A) when the line is idle (i.e., data is 1).

In addition to the A and B connections, the EIA standard also specifies a third interconnection point called C, which is the common signal reference ground.

These names are all in use on various equipment, but the actual standard released by EIA only uses the names A and B. However, despite the unambiguous standard, there is much confusion about which is which:

The EIA-485 signaling specification states that signal A is the inverting or '-' pin and signal B is the non-inverting or '+' pin.^[3]

This is in conflict with the A/B naming used by a number of differential transceivers manufacturers, including the Texas Instruments application handbook on EIA-422/485 communications (A=non-inverting, B=inverting). These manufacturers are incorrect, but their practice is in a widespread use.^{[citation needed]}

Therefore, care must be taken when using A/B naming.^{[citation needed]}

The standard does not discuss cable shielding, but makes some recommendations on preferred methods of interconnecting the signal reference common and equipment case grounds.

The graph below shows potentials of the '+' and '−' pins of an EIA-485 line during transmission of one byte (0xD3) of data using an asynchronous start-stop method.

Wikibooks has a book on the topic of: Serial Programming:RS-485 Technical Manual

• Electronic Industries Alliance
• RS-232
• RS-422
• RS-423
• Modbus
• Profibus
• Fieldbus

• Guidelines for Proper Wiring of an RS-485 (TIA/EIA-485-A) Network
• Technical library of RS-485 articles and application notes
• RS232 to RS485 cable scheme
• RS422 and RS485 Standards Overview
• Practical information about implementing RS485