Meet RS485 Breakout Board for XIAO, Extending Industrial Communication Range up to 1200m
Seeed Studio RS-485 Breakout Board is a versatile RS-485 expansion designed specifically for all Seeed Studio XIAO development boards or Adafruit QT Py Boards.
Connectivity plays a pivotal role in any smart systems, acting as the lifeblood that enables seamless communication and data exchange between devices, and even systems. In the realm of IoT, robust connectivity is the foundation upon which smart devices interact, collect data, and make intelligent decisions. That’s exactly the reason that we included as many communication technologies or protocols as we can in the growing Seeed Studio XIAO product ecosystem, with the goal of offering the go-to solution for developers to build endless possibilities.
Seeed Studio XIAO Connectivity Overview
Currently, our XIAO dev boards supports multiple connectivities:
Onboard Connectivity:
- WiFi: XIAO ESP32C3, XIAO ESP32S3, XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, XIAO ESP32C6,
- BLE: XIAO nRF52840, XIAO nRF52840 Sense, XIAO ESP32C3, XIAO ESP32S3, XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, XIAO ESP32C6, XIAO MG24, XIAO MG24 Sense
- NFC: XIAO nRF52840, XIAO nRF52840 Sense
- Thread: XIAO ESP32C6, XIAO MG24, XIAO MG24 Sense
- Zigbee: XIAO ESP32C6
- Matter: XIAO ESP32C6, XIAO MG24, XIAO MG24 Sense
Expandable Connectivity with XIAO Add-ons:
Understanding RS-485
Among all these connectivities, the RS-485 standard stands out for industrial applications. It defines the electrical characteristics of serial lines for use in serial communications systems, enabling data transmission over long distances and in electrically noisy environments.
RS-485, also known as TIA-485 (-A) or EIA-485 is a standard of joint efforts by the Telecommunications Industry Association and the Electronic Industries Alliance (TIA/EIA). It is known for being able to be used effectively over long distances and in electrically noisy environments. Due to this and it being able to transmit data over long distances, the RS485 is used commonly as a protocol for POS, industrial and telecom. The RS485 is also common in computers, PLCs, microcontrollers and intelligent sensors in scientific and technical applications. Learn more about RS-485 in our previous blog.
Meet Seeed Studio RS-485 Breakout Board for XIAO and QT Py
We’re excited to announce the Seeed Studio RS-485 Breakout Board, a versatile RS-485 expansion designed specifically for all Seeed Studio XIAO development boards or Adafruit QT Py Boards. Equipped with the TP8485E transceiver IC, this breakout board efficiently converts UART serial streams to RS-485 signals. Operating as a half-duplex transceiver, the TP8485E enables unidirectional communication, spanning distances of up to 1200 meters (3937 feet). This breakout board is engineered for efficiency, consuming power from a single 5V or 12VDC power source. Its RS-485 output interface is facilitated through two 3-pin terminals for both signal wires and power connections.
Key Features
XIAO Compatibility
- Seamless integration with all Seeed Studio XIAO series or Adafruit QT Py boards
- Plug-and-play design
Robust Communication
- Long-distance transmission up to 1200m
- High noise immunity
- Industrial-grade reliability
Flexible Power Options
- Supports 5V and 12V power supply
- Dual terminal connections for power and signals
Compact Design
- Space-efficient form factor, 2x XIAO board size (42×17.8mm)
- Optimized for embedded applications
More specifications and technical details can be found here on our Wiki. These features collectively make it an ideal choice for robust data transmission across extensive distances and in challenging, high-noise environments for industrial applications. They include factory automation, building management systems, environmental monitoring, smart agriculture and remote sensor networks.
Selecting The Right RS-485 Add-on
When it comes to RS-485 solutions in our Seeed Studio XIAO ecosystem, we offer three distinct options:
Products | |||
RS485 Transceiver | |||
Transceiver type | half-duplex | half-duplex | half-duplex |
Communication Distance | 1200 meters | 1200 meters | 1200 meters |
Communication Speed | 250k bps | 250k bps | 10Mbit/s |
Compatible with | -XIAO dev boards –Adafruit QT Py | -SenseCAP S2100 LoRaWAN DTU -Custom firmware to support 12 Grove Sensors | -Arduino |
Supply Voltage | 5V/12V | 5V/12V | 3.3V/5V |
MSRP | $4.5 | $19.9 | $5.59 |
The XIAO RS-485 Breakout Board represents our commitment to providing robust, industrial-grade communication solutions for developers. It is in stock now on both our Webstore and AliExpress Store (later on our Amazon Store and our distributors’ stores). Whether you’re building an industrial control system or a remote monitoring solution, this board offers the reliability and flexibility you need.
🤫 Last but not least. We are also developing a standalone RS485 Vision AI Camera, which is a combination of this RS485 Breakout Board together with an XIAO ESP32C3, Grove Vision AI Module V2, and a Raspberry Pi OV5647 OV Camera. Stay tuned for more updates soon!
Notes at the end.
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