Omega OMG-USB-SER-2 User Manual

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Appendix C - Electrical Interface 
OMG-USB-SER-2 
Page 13 
 
RS-485 
RS-485 is backwardly compatible with RS-422; however, it is optimized for 
partyline or multi-drop applications. The output of the RS-422/485 driver is 
capable of being Active  (enabled) or Tri-State (disabled). This capability allows 
multiple ports to be connected in a multi-drop bus and selectively polled. RS-485 
allows cable lengths up to 4000 feet and data rates up to 10 Megabits per second. 
The signal levels for RS-485 are the same as those defined by RS-422. RS-485 has 
electrical characteristics that allow for 32 drivers and 32 receivers to be 
connected to one line. This interface is ideal for multi-drop or network 
environments. RS-485 tri-state driver (not dual-state) will allow the electrical 
presence of the driver to be removed from the line. Only one driver may be active 
at a time and the other driver(s) must be tri-stated. RS-485 can be cabled in two 
ways, two wire and four wire mode. Two wire mode does not allow for full duplex 
communication and requires that data be transferred in only one direction at a 
time. For half-duplex operation, the two transmit pins should be connected to the 
two receive pins (Tx+ to Rx+ and Tx- to Rx-). Four wire mode allows full duplex 
data transfers. RS-485 does not define a connector pin-out or a set of modem 
control signals. RS-485 does not define a physical connector.