ST AN1348 APPLICATION NOTE

AN1348

APPLICATION NOTE

ST485: AN RS-485 BASED INTERFACE WITH LOWER DATA BIT ERRORS

A. Randazzo

1. INTRODUCTION

ST485 is a RS-485 based interface designed for multipoint differential transmission on a single twisted pair cable. It allows half duplex bi-directional transmission, long cable length and high data rate. Typical applications include LANs, industrial (PLC devices), automotive and computer interfaces. The system evolution in the data communication field leads to the development of faster devices with lower data bit errors and ST485 meets all these requirements.

2. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows the internal structure of the ST485. The driver and receiver line pins are connected together; in fact the bi-directional communication can only be halfduplex. The control pins RE and DE are used to enable respectively the receiver and driver and, in many applications, are connected together. The driver has a TTL input while the output is differential. The receiver differential input is internally connected to the driver output.

Figure 1: ST485 Internal Structure

RO

1

R

8

Vcc

__

2

 

7

B

RE

 

DE

3

 

6

A

DI

4

D

5

GND

The Vcc supply voltage is 5V, typical DC consumption is less than 0.5mA without load and Data rate is greater than 10Mbps.

3. FEATURES

The most important parameters in a RS-485 device are:

-The receiver input threshold. It is ±200mV. This feature ensures an improvement of the noise immunity;

-The receiver input resistance. It should be high enough to allow the connection of many transceivers

June 2004 (rev. 3)

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AN1348 - APPLICATION NOTE

together. ST485 has a Rin greater than 40kOhm allowing the connection of more than 32 units as well;

-The common mode voltage VCM for the receiver, defined as the algebraic mean of the two local- ground-referenced voltage: VCM=(VA+VB)/2. This parameter is from -7V to +12V for RS-485 standard. VCM enables different ground-referenced devices to work correctly and allowing ground difference up to ±7V. For an example see figure 2;

-The differential driver output voltage. It depends on the driver output current and, obviously, on the used RLOAD. It must be greater than 1.5V with 27Ohm RLOAD;

-The driver short-circuit protection; it should happen that more drivers transmit at the same time giving a conflict. ST485 limits the short circuit current up to 70mA providing a protection for the whole line.

Figure 2: Common Mode Voltage Capability

 

 

ST485 #1

 

 

 

 

ST485 #2

 

 

RO 1

R

8

Vcc

Vcc

8

R

1

RO

 

 

__

 

 

 

B

B

 

 

 

__

2

 

7

7

 

2

RE

RE

 

 

 

 

DE

3

 

6

A

A

6

 

3

DE

 

 

 

 

DI

4

D

5

GND

GND

5

D

4

DI

 

 

 

 

 

GND 1

GND 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Difference in ground potential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(max ±7V)

 

 

 

 

4. DIFFERENTIAL LINE ADVANTAGES

Why differential line transmission?

- When a signal is transmitted on a single twisted cable, many factors contribute to increase disturbs on the line, like spike and inducted currents. With a differential transmission the same inducted disturb is present on both input A and B, so the difference is null. Figure 3 shows the signal ground-referenced of the ST485 inputs A and B with a noise signal inducted; CH1= receiver input A, CH2= receiver input B, CH4= receiver output. The common mode disturb is not present on the receiver output.

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ST AN1348 APPLICATION NOTE

AN1348 - APPLICATION NOTE

Figure 3: Common mode Noise Signal Inducted on a ST485 Differential Line

- In a single ended transmission the distance between logic symbol ‘1’and ‘0’ is lower respect to the differential one. Table 1 and figure 4 show that, with Vcc=5V, the voltage distance between ‘1’and ‘0’logic symbols is 10V without load. Obviously the termination (120Ohm for a twisted cable or 54Ohm for a shield cable) reduces this voltage distance.

Figure 4: Single Ended and Differential Signals

A 5V

 

 

 

 

RO

 

1

 

 

__

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RE

 

5V

 

 

 

3

 

 

DE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0V

 

 

 

 

DI

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0V

R

8

Vcc

5V

 

 

 

 

7

B

B

 

6

A

0V

 

 

D

5

GND

5V

 

A - B 0V -5V

Ground-referenced signals

Differential signals

Table 1: Single Ended and Differential Signals

Logic Level

Single Ended

Differential Referenced to ground

Differential (VA-VB)

0

Vout=0V

Vout: A=0V; B=5V

Vdiff = 0V

- 5V

= -5V

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Vout=5V

Vout: A=5V; B=0V

Vdiff = 5V

- 0V

= +5V

 

 

 

 

 

 

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