ATEN IC485S RS-232 to RS-422/RS-485 Serial Converter
Overview
The IC485S is an external serial interface converter that bridges RS-232 equipment to RS-422 or RS-485 networks over cable runs up to 1200 m (4000 ft) at data rates up to 100 Kbps. That signal range matters in practice: where a standard RS-232 link degrades past 15 m, the IC485S extends control reach across a floor, building wing, or campus segment — without introducing a PC or managed network device into the signal path. Typical deployment scenarios include PTZ camera serial control integration, access control panel wiring, industrial PLC serial buses, and building automation backbones where RS-485 multidrop wiring is already in place.
Compatibility
The IC485S connects via a DB-25 Female port on the RS-232 side, making it directly compatible with equipment using the legacy 25-pin serial interface. The RS-485/RS-422 side terminates to a four-position terminal block, which accepts field-wired twisted-pair runs — suitable for multidrop RS-485 bus topologies or point-to-point RS-422 links. An RJ-11 Female connector is also present, typically used for auxiliary or power functions depending on host configuration. The unit supports configurable operating modes via onboard switches: DCE and DTE selection, plus transmit/receive gating modes (TxON, RxON, TxRTS, RxRTS, and combined variants), making it adaptable to both hardware-handshaking and data-driven switching schemes used by serial PTZ controllers, DVRs, and automation hosts.
Installation Notes
Operating humidity is rated at 0–80% RH non-condensing — suitable for conditioned equipment rooms and typical indoor wiring closets, but not for unconditioned outdoor enclosures without supplemental environmental control. The switch array (DCE/DTE/Monitor/TxON/RxON/TxRTS/RxRTS) must be configured to match the host device's handshaking expectations before wiring the RS-485 bus; incorrect mode selection is the most common commissioning error on initial install. Cable length and data rate are inversely related — 100 Kbps is achievable at the full 1200 m run only with appropriate low-capacitance twisted-pair; shorter runs support higher effective throughput on capable equipment.
