38 Initial Setup
This product’s RS-485 LAN implementation is a multidrop, half-duplex, 2-wire,
differential signaling, balanced line over twisted pair setup. Hence, 1.2 km (~4K
feet) distance is theoretically possible.
Note that it is possible to use an off-the-shelf third party RS-485 converter/adapter to
connect into the controller’s RS-485 LAN as an alternative to USB or Ethernet
connectivity. However, the Picomotor Windows application and software support
will not detect the controller’s presence in this configuration and, therefore, user
developed software will be required to make it communicate with the PC.
Applications handling the RS-485 bus terminations externally can cause a unit at the
end of the daisy-chain to disconnect its internal termination by inserting an
unconnected 3.5mm plug into the otherwise unused jack.
For more details on RS-485 LAN communication please see Section 5.5.
Connecting four units to a computer via RS-485
adapter