SparkFun USB to RS-485 Converter

The SparkFun USB to RS-485 Converter pairs an SP3485 RS-485 transceiver with an FT232RL USB UART IC to convert USB data streams to RS-485. This is the latest revision with improvements over previous versions.

The SP3485 is a half-duplex transceiver capable of transmission speeds up to 10Mbps. With FTDI drivers installed, the FT232RL enumerates as a virtual COM port on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

Key Features

• SP3485 Transceiver – Half-duplex RS-485 with speeds up to 10Mbps
• FT232RL USB UART – Reliable USB-to-serial conversion with virtual COM port
• LED Indicators – TX, RX, and RTS status LEDs for easy debugging
• Common-Mode Input Range – -7V to +12V for robust signal handling
• Mini-B USB Connector – Standard USB connection to host computer
• Multiple Output Options – Three RS-485 output connection points (headers not populated)
• Compact Size – 22.9 × 39.4mm board dimensions

RS-485 Output Connections

The RS-485 output is broken out to three different connection options (none come populated):

• RJ-45 connector footprint
• 3-pin 3.5mm screw terminal footprint
• 3-pin 0.1" pitch header footprint

Ideal For

• Industrial automation and control systems
• Long-distance serial communication
• Multi-drop RS-485 networks
• Interfacing with RS-485 sensors and devices

Resources

• SparkFun Product Page
• GitHub Hardware Repository