Category:

RS232-RS485/RS422

54,60 exc. VAT

RS232c to RS485 or RS422 converter

Most personal computers do not incorporate in their basic configuration an RS485 port, but they do an RS232c one. This is usually marked in Windows as COMx (where x is the port number). The RS232c protocol is also asynchronous and works at the same speeds and so it can be converted to RS485 with the aid of an adaptor or converter.

From the programmer’s view point, the difference between RS485 and RS232 lies in the fact that the first one is half duplex and the second full duplex. Because the half duplex uses the same wires to transmit and receive, it needs an additional line to control the flow.

Usually for that the RTS line is used, which is activated for transmiting and deactivated for receiving. This can cause problems for programmers because they often need to install drivers which are incompatible with recent operating systems, or develop procedures for transmiting/receiving non trivial data.

To avoid these problems our adapter has a microcontroller to deal automatically with flow control, so only the transmission and reception signals are needed. The implemented algorithms avoid the idle times in the change of flow and so communications are much more effective than those of our competitors.

If you want, you can configure the module for the flow to be controlled from the program, choosing between the RTS and the DTR lines.

This adaptor optoisolates the RS232c port from the RS485, in order to avoid damaging or even breaking the computer due to an overvoltage in the RS485 bus, caused for example by lightining.

If your computer does not have an RS232c, you can add one in the PCI bus or in the USB bus.