Comtech EF Data LBC-4000 - Manual (Page 74)

LBC-4000 L-Band Up/Down Converter System Revision 4
Serial-based Remote Product Management MN/LBC4000.IOM
6–2
6.1.1 EIA-485
For applications where multiple devices are to be monitored and controlled, a full‐duplex (4‐wire plus ground) EIA‐485 is preferred. Half‐
duplex (2‐wire plus ground) EIA‐485 is possible, but is not preferred. In full‐duplex EIA‐485 communication, there are two separate,
isolated, independent, differential‐mode twisted pairs, each handling serial data in different directions.
It is assumed that a 'Controller' device (a PC or dumb terminal) transmits data in a broadcast mode via one of the pairs. Many 'Target'
devices are connected to this pair, and all simultaneously receive data from the Controller. The Controller is the only device with a line‐
driver connected to this pair; the Target devices have only line‐receivers connected.
In the other direction: On the other pair, each Target has a Tri‐state line driver connected; the Controller has a line‐receiver connected.
All the line drivers are held in high‐impedance mode until one – and only one – Target transmits back to the Controller. Each Target has a
unique address; each time the Controller transmits, the address of the intended recipient Target is included in a framed 'packet' of data.
All of the Targets receive the packet, but only one (the intended) will reply. The Target enables its output line driver and transmits its
return data packet back to the Controller in the other direction on the physically separate pair.
EIA‐485 (full duplex) summary:
• Two differential pairs – one pair for Controller‐to‐Target, one pair for Target‐to‐Controller.
o The Controller‐to‐Target pair has one line driver (Controller), and all Targets have line‐receivers.
o The Target‐to‐Controller pair has one line receiver (Controller), and all Targets have Tri‐state drivers.
6.1.2 EIA-232
This is a much simpler configuration in which the Controller device is connected directly to the Target via a two‐wire‐plus‐ground
connection. Controller‐to‐Target data is carried, via EIA‐232 electrical levels, on one conductor, and Target‐to‐Controller data is carried
in the other direction on the other conductor.