While four-wire full-duplex exists, it is less prevalent in current applications, with the two-wire half-duplex configuration being the predominant wiring method in use today. You probably have heard of RS232 which is a serial communication method between computers and devices , but have you heard of the RS485 communication? Serial communication also has a deterministic behaviour to avoid collisions of data packets, making it more reliable for a linkage system with many devices. This whole system allows manufacturing facilities to control their devices remotely and also set-up automation. RS485 is also commonly used for building automation as the simple wiring configuration and lengthy cable length are ideal for joining remote devices. RS485 is used as the physical layer for many standards and proprietary automation protocols to implement control systems, most commonly Modbus. RS-485 serves as a physical layer for the AES3 digital audio interconnect. Within such a system, RS-485 serves a pivotal role as a bridge, establishing communication of flow information between the central control system and each valve box. It is commonly implemented to control video surveillance systems and link security control panels to devices such as access control card readers. Developed by Modicon, Modbus enables different devices from different manufacturers to be integrated into the main system.

Up to 32 slaves can be connected in the system. However, in a full-duplex setup, they are limited to a master and slave communication where slaves cannot communicate with each other. By adding another 2 wires, making it a 4 wires system, it allows data transmission in both directions to and fro devices at the same time, also known as full-duplex. It offers two primary wiring methods: two-wire half-duplex and four-wire full-duplex. The communication cable shield offers additional protection against interference, blocking Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) that may induce current over long cable lengths within the magnetic field of other EMI-producing cables. If high noise immunity is needed, often a combination of twisting and shielding is used as for example in STP, shielded twisted pair and FTP, foiled twisted pair networking cables. Control and monitoring systems: A single pair of rs485 signal cable can connect up to 32 devices, with a signal transmission distance of up to 1200m. Therefore, using rs485 cables is an ideal choice for industrial control and monitoring systems, especially those with large-scale and high dispersion. In RS485 standard, data is transmitted via two wires twisted together also referred to as "Twisted Pair Cable".

It comes in two versions, one with DC only, and another with a built-in rechargeable battery. RS485 is also used in performance venues to control lights and systems such as the one shown below. Alarm systems: Rs485 cables in alarm systems help transfer alarm signals and information from alarm devices to the control center. SenseCAP S2100 data logger can collect data from multiple sensors and transfer the data through the LoRaWAN network. LoRaWAN Wireless Transmission: Ultra-low power consumption and ultra-wide-distance transmission range. SenseCAP is a wireless sensing platform developed specifically for Industrial IoT, with applications in smart agriculture, smart cities, and other environmental sensing scenarios. RS485 has many advantages over other standards, especially when it comes to applications in noisy industrial environments. It is IP66 rated, waterproof and dustproof, what is rs485 cable which makes it ideal for long-term remote environmental monitoring in indoor and outdoor severe environments. It is known for being able to be used effectively over long distances and in electrically noisy environments. With RS485 communication distances of 1200 m are possible. There are many standards in serial communication and RS485, also known as TIA-485 (-A) or EIA-485, is just one of them. Compared to serial communication, USB and ethernet are significantly more complex and expensive.

These advantages compared to other alternatives made RS485 popular and used in a widespread amount of instances. RS485 main advantages as compared to other serial communication are tolerance to electrical noise, lengthy cable runs, multiple slaves in one connection, and fast data transmission speed. What is Serial Communication? It is essentially a form of serial communication. RS232 has a separate communication line for transmitting and receiving which-with a well written protocol-allows higher effective data rates at the same bit rate than the other interfaces. We also see that the maximum allowed voltage levels for all interfaces are in the same range, but that the signal level is lower for the faster interfaces. Shifts in the ground level can have disastrous effects. Compatible with Worldwide LoRaWAN networks: It can be used with different types of LoRaWAN gateways and is compatible with multiple LoRaWAN Network Servers (Helium, TTN, etc). It is a LoRaWAN converter that converts those sensors that are not LoRa-powered into LoRa-enabled sensors and therefore transfers data through the LoRaWAN protocol. Supports Third-party Data Loggers and IoT Platforms: Besides SenseCAP Data Logger, developers could connect to other data loggers that support MODBUS RS485 protocol and third-party IoT platforms. Modbus devices communicate using a Master-Slave technique where only one device (the Master) can initiate transactions (AKA queries).