Industrial RS485 Opto-Isolated Hub

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

DC

DC means direct current, where electricity flows in one constant direction, as supplied by batteries, USB ports and many plug-pack power supplies. When a product specifies DC, it runs from a DC supply rather than mains AC, so you need to provide the correct voltage and polarity.

E1

A Galileo satellite signal band used for standard positioning. Knowing which signal bands are supported helps you judge compatibility and expected performance of a GNSS receiver.

electromagnetic interference

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is unwanted electrical noise from nearby devices, cables, or radio signals that can disturb the signals carried in a wire or circuit. Shielding helps reduce this noise, which matters because cleaner signals make data and communication links less prone to errors and dropouts.

ESD protection

ESD protection helps protect electronics from damage caused by static electricity discharges. It is useful on development boards because cables, sensors and modules are often plugged and unplugged during prototyping.

RS-232

RS-232 is an older serial communication standard that uses higher, inverted signal voltages (typically around plus or minus 3 to 15 volts) rather than the low logic levels of modern microcontroller pins. When connecting RS-232 equipment to a microcontroller, you usually need an RS-232 transceiver or level converter rather than wiring it directly, or you risk damaging the pins.

RX

RX means receive, usually showing data being received by the board. An RX indicator LED can help with troubleshooting USB or serial communication.

TX

TX means transmit, usually showing data being sent from the board. A TX indicator LED can help you see when the board is communicating or uploading code.