Intermediate
30 min

Explore the impact of RS485 transceivers in revolutionizing data transfer using ADM2795E and ATmega2560

Unlocking seamless data exchange

RS485 4 Click with Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3

Published Feb 14, 2024

Click board™

RS485 4 Click

Dev. board

Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

ATmega2560

The RS485 transceiver is the linchpin for secure and high-speed data transmission, making it indispensable in today's interconnected world

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

RS485 4 Click is based on the ADM2795E, an integrated dual channel RS485 driver/receiver, with the ICoupler® isolation technology, made by Analog Devices. This integrated circuit features integrated galvanic isolation elements, providing the required isolation level. RS485 level signals are encoded into waveforms that are used to energize primary windings of the integrated transformers. At the secondary windings, the induced waveforms are decoded back into their original values and routed to the UART pins, with the appropriate TTL signal levels. The same working principle is applied in the opposite direction. This way, the digital signals are effectively conducted through the isolation barrier. Output lines are

internally routed through a set of transient filters, ESD suppressors, surge protection components, etc., replacing the complete set of commonly used external components (TVS diodes, TIPS®…). This reduces the number of reasonably expensive external protection components, cutting the time to market. There are also some other protections, such as miswiring protection, tolerance for up to ±42V on RS485 bus lines, etc. RX and TX UART lines from the mikroBUS™ are routed to RXD and TXD pins of the ADM2795E. The CS pin of the mikroBUS™ is routed to the DE pin of the ADM2795E. It is used to activate the RS485 transmission driver. Similarly, RST pin of the mikroBUS™ is routed to the RE pin of the

ADM2795E, and it is used to activate the receiver. Logic HIGH level on the DE pin activates the transmitter, and thus the UART TX session, while LOW logic level on the RE pin activates the receiver, and thus the UART RX session. The inverted logic on these pins is not a result of a random decision: they could be connected to a single point and driven by a single MCU pin: when there is a LOW level, the driver is disabled, while the receiver is enabled. This is not the case at this Click board™, as it is made for general use. However, in the case of most commonly used half-duplex communication topology, this can be very useful, reducing the number of required MCU pins.

RS485 4 Click top side image
RS485 4 Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

Arduino Mega 2560 is a robust microcontroller platform built around the ATmega 2560 chip. It has extensive capabilities and boasts 54 digital input/output pins, including 15 PWM outputs, 16 analog inputs, and 4 UARTs. With a 16MHz crystal

oscillator ensuring precise timing, it offers seamless connectivity via USB, a convenient power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. This all-inclusive board simplifies microcontroller projects; connect it to your computer via USB or power it up

using an AC-to-DC adapter or battery. Notably, the Mega 2560 maintains compatibility with a wide range of shields crafted for the Uno, Duemilanove, or Diecimila boards, ensuring versatility and ease of integration.

Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

AVR

MCU Memory (KB)

256

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

100

RAM (Bytes)

8192

You complete me!

Accessories

Click Shield for Arduino Mega comes equipped with four mikroBUS™ sockets, with two in the form of a Shuttle connector, allowing all the Click board™ devices to be interfaced with the Arduino Mega board with no effort. Featuring an AVR 8-bit microcontroller with advanced RISC architecture, 54 digital I/O pins, and Arduino™ compatibility, the Arduino Mega board offers limitless possibilities for prototyping and creating diverse applications. This board is controlled and powered conveniently through a USB connection to program and debug the Arduino Mega board efficiently out of the box, with an additional USB cable connected to the USB B port on the board. Simplify your project development with the integrated ATmega16U2 programmer and unleash creativity using the extensive I/O options and expansion capabilities. There are eight switches, which you can use as inputs, and eight LEDs, which can be used as outputs of the MEGA2560. In addition, the shield features the MCP1501, a high-precision buffered voltage reference from Microchip. This reference is selected by default over the EXT REF jumper at the bottom of the board. You can choose an external one, as you would usually do with an Arduino Mega board. There is also a GND hook for testing purposes. Four additional LEDs are PWR, LED (standard pin D13), RX, and TX LEDs connected to UART1 (mikroBUS™ 1 socket). This Click Shield also has several switches that perform functions such as selecting the logic levels of analog signals on mikroBUS™ sockets and selecting logic voltage levels of the mikroBUS™ sockets themselves. Besides, the user is offered the possibility of using any Click board™ with the help of existing bidirectional level-shifting voltage translators, regardless of whether the Click board™ operates at a 3.3V or 5V logic voltage level. Once you connect the Arduino Mega board with Click Shield for Arduino Mega, you can access hundreds of Click boards™, working with 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels.

Click Shield for Arduino Mega accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
Receiver Enable
PL1
RST
Driver Enable
PL4
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
NC
NC
PWM
NC
NC
INT
UART TX
PE0
TX
UART RX
PE1
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

RS485 4 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Click Shield for Arduino Mega front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 as your development board.

Click Shield for Arduino Mega front image hardware assembly
Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Board mapper by product8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Arduino MEGA MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.

2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.

3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for RS485 4 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • rs4854_rx_disable - Rx disable function.

  • rs4854_tx_enable - Tx enable function.

  • rs4854_send_command - Function for send command

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * \file 
 * \brief Rs4854 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This example reads and processes data from RS485 4 Clicks.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initializes driver.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Reads the received data.
 * 
 * ## Additional Function
 * - rs4854_process ( ) - The general process of collecting presponce 
 *                                   that sends a module.
 * 
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "rs4854.h"
#include "string.h"

#define PROCESS_COUNTER 10
#define PROCESS_RX_BUFFER_SIZE 500

static uint8_t transmit_msg[] = "MikroE\r\n";

// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES

// #define DEMO_APP_RECEIVER
#define DEMO_APP_TRANSMITER

static rs4854_t rs4854;
static log_t logger;

static uint8_t send_data_cnt = 8; 

// ------------------------------------------------------- ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

static void rs4854_process ( void )
{
    int32_t rsp_size;
    char uart_rx_buffer[ PROCESS_RX_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };
    uint8_t check_buf_cnt;
    
    rsp_size = rs4854_generic_read( &rs4854, uart_rx_buffer, PROCESS_RX_BUFFER_SIZE );
    
    if ( rsp_size > 0 )
    {  
        for ( check_buf_cnt = 0; check_buf_cnt < rsp_size; check_buf_cnt++ )
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "%c", uart_rx_buffer[ check_buf_cnt ] );
        }
    }
}

// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    rs4854_cfg_t cfg;

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, "---- Application Init ----" );

    //  Click initialization.

    rs4854_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    RS4854_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    rs4854_init( &rs4854, &cfg );
    
#ifdef DEMO_APP_RECEIVER
    rs4854_re_pin_set( &rs4854, RS4854_PIN_STATE_LOW );
    rs4854_de_pin_set( &rs4854, RS4854_PIN_STATE_LOW );
#endif

#ifdef DEMO_APP_TRANSMITER
    rs4854_re_pin_set( &rs4854, RS4854_PIN_STATE_HIGH );
    rs4854_de_pin_set( &rs4854, RS4854_PIN_STATE_HIGH );
#endif  
}

void application_task ( void )
{
#ifdef DEMO_APP_RECEIVER
    rs4854_process( );
#endif    

#ifdef DEMO_APP_TRANSMITER

    rs4854_generic_write( &rs4854, &transmit_msg[ 0 ], 8 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
#endif    
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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