RS485 1 device 2 computers

[ASTDan]

Hello,

Does anyone know if it is posible to monitor 1 RS 485 device with 2 computers?

My device can continously send out data so it is not necesary to send it commands.

Thanks

Dan

[K C]

Hi,

I use a PCI8431/2 to monitor a RS-485 multidrop 2-wire interface. No problem.

[O_Proulx]

Hello Dan,

Yes, it is possible using the 2-wire auto mode or the DTR control mode.  Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) There needs to be a way to coordinate which device is driving the bus. There is nothing to keep two or more devices from talking at the same time.  When this happens, the data streams are corrupted.  In your case, the device is always driving the bus.

2) A standard packet format must be used by all devices on the network. Typically this includes an address field, a data length field, data, and an error checking/correction CRC field.

3) All devices have to use the same baud rate. Typically this is set to a single baud rate for all devices.

I hope this helps.