[Gumstix-users] Gumstix and RS485 connectivity

[Laurent P. <lau...@sk...>]

Hi everybody,

I'd like to use a Gumstix-based computer as a central processing unit in a 
multidrop system. All components in the system communicate through an RS485 
bus, so I'm looking for solutions to provide RS485 connectivity to the 
Gumstix board.

The RS485 bus transceivers can be connected directly to one of the Gumstix 
serial ports but require a direction control signal. Some UARTs support 
automatic direction control using the RTS signal. Even though at least one 
serial port of the Gumstix supports RTS/CTS, it seems those signals can only 
be used for flow control and not for direction control. Is that right ?

Has any of you connected a Gumstix-based computer to a RS485 bus ? What kind 
of solution have you used ? I would like to find a solution that can easily 
be integrated in a custom expansion board.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Best regards,

Laurent Pinchart