Industrial Communications
RS-485
A robust serial electrical standard that can support long cables and multiple devices.
IN ONE SENTENCE
It defines how the electrical signals travel, not what the data means.
In normal English
Protocols such as Modbus RTU frequently use RS-485. Differential signalling makes it more tolerant of industrial electrical noise than simple single-ended serial links.
Why would I use it?
Use it for serial networks over longer distances or with multiple nodes.
THINK OF IT LIKE…
The road; Modbus can be one of the languages spoken by traffic on it.
Related terms
Modbus RTU, RS-232, twisted pair
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