
6 RS-422/485 Application Note
Copyright B&B Electronics -- Revised October 1997
B&B Electronics -- PO Box 1040 -- Ottawa, IL 61350
PH (815) 433-5100 -- FAX (815) 434-7094
EIA Standard RS-485 Data Transmission
The RS-485 Standard permits a balanced transmission line to be shared in
a party line or multidrop mode. As many as 32 driver/receiver pairs can share
a multidrop network. Many characteristics of the drivers and receivers are the
same as RS-422. The range of the common mode voltage Vcm that the driver
and receiver can tolerate is expanded to +12 to -7 volts. Since the driver can
be disconnected or tristated from the line, it must withstand this common mode
voltage range while in the tristate condition. Some RS-422 drivers, even with
tristate capability, will not withstand the full Vcm voltage range of +12 to -7
volts.
Figure 1.6 shows a typical two-wire multidrop network. Note that the
transmission line is terminated on both ends of the line but not at drop points
in the middle of the line. Termination should only be used with high data rates
and long wiring runs. A detailed discussion of termination can be found in
Chapter 2 of this application note. The signal ground line is also
recommended in an RS-485 system to keep the common mode voltage that the
receiver must accept within the -7 to +12 volt range. Further discussion of
grounding can be found in Chapter 3 of this application note.
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