Gearotons RS485 3-in-1 USB and UART to RS-485 Adapter
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Gearotons RS485 3-in-1 USB and UART to RS-485 Adapter
The Gearotons RS485 Adapter is a 3-in-1 USB, UART and Raspberry Pi to RS-485 interface for connecting a host controller to one or more Gearotons M17 servomotors. Its automatic transmit/receive switching lets the application send commands and read replies without separately controlling the bus direction.
Use USB-C or Micro-USB for a PC or Mac, the stacking header for a supported Raspberry Pi, or the jumper-wire interface for Arduino and ESP32 projects. A CP2102N bridge, clearly identified bus headers and status LEDs make the board useful for motor commissioning, software development and classroom demonstrations.
The adapter handles communication, not motor power or motion control. M17 motors still require their own 12-24 V DC supply and compatible command software. Correct A/B wiring, a common ground and the proper host-interface connection are essential to a working setup.
Features
- Three host connection paths - Connect a computer by USB, stack the board on a supported Raspberry Pi header, or use a microcontroller UART.
- USB-C and Micro-USB - Two connector formats offer convenient cabling choices for a single USB host connection.
- CP2102N USB bridge - A Silicon Labs USB-to-UART bridge supports a serial-port workflow on the host computer.
- Automatic direction control - The board changes between transmitting and receiving without a separate direction-control command from the application.
- RS-485 differential bus - A/B signaling provides a practical communication link between an embedded controller and distributed motor nodes.
- Multi-motor communication - One adapter can communicate with multiple individually addressed Gearotons M17 motors over a shared bus.
- Tested 1 Mbps support - The adapter data sheet supports rates up to 1 Mbps; M17 servomotors use 230400 baud.
- Visible communication activity - Separate power, transmit and receive LEDs help with initial wiring and serial communication checks.
- Compact board layout - The 46.2 × 30.9 mm PCB includes bus headers and an embedded-host connection area.
- Open hardware - The official hardware repository and data sheet support schematic review, learning and integration planning.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | Gearotons RS485 Adapter (RS1) |
| Function | 3-in-1 USB / UART / Raspberry Pi to RS-485 adapter |
| USB connectors | USB-C and Micro-USB |
| USB-to-UART bridge | Silicon Labs CP2102N |
| RS-485 transceiver | SP3485EN |
| Transmit / receive switching | Automatic |
| Tested supported data rate | Up to 1 Mbps |
| Gearotons M17 bus settings | 230400 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit |
| Power supply | 5 V nominal via USB, or the designated 3.3 V / 5 V project-supply connections |
| Bus connections | Two A / B / GND sets on a 2.54 mm header |
| Embedded host connections | Raspberry Pi stacking header and GND / TX / RX jumper-wire interface |
| Documented Raspberry Pi models | Zero, Zero 2 W, 3 and 4 |
| Indicators | Power: yellow; transmit: red; receive: green |
| Dimensions | 46.2 × 30.9 mm; maximum thickness 11 mm |
| PCB thickness | 1.6 mm |
| Operating environment | 0 to +60 °C, non-condensing |
| ESD protection | ±8 kV air/contact on USB and headers; exposed PCB components require separate ESD handling |
Connection and Integration
| Connection path | Use | Integration requirement |
|---|---|---|
| USB | PC / Mac / USB-capable single-board computer | Use USB-C or Micro-USB with one host; select the CP2102N serial port. |
| Raspberry Pi header | Supported Pi boards | Check header orientation and enable the intended UART. |
| UART jumper-wire interface | Arduino / ESP32 / embedded host | Use the designated TX / RX / GND connections and correct supply pins. |
Power boundaries: the adapter uses USB 5 V or its designated 3.3 V / 5 V supply connections. Do not apply the M17 motor's 12-24 V supply to the adapter's USB, UART or low-voltage supply pins. Provide motor power separately and establish a common ground.
Bus wiring: connect A to A and B to B, keep signal wiring organized and review cable layout, biasing and termination for the installation. This adapter is a communication bridge, so the host must still implement the connected device's protocol.
Compatible Gearotons motor range: Gearotons M17-34, Gearotons M17-40, Gearotons M17-48, Gearotons M17-60.
Application
PC and Mac motor commissioning
Use a USB serial connection to detect motors, assign addresses and test commands before integrating them into a larger machine.
Raspberry Pi motion-control projects
Combine a supported Raspberry Pi host with the RS-485 bus for Python-based sequencing and laboratory control. Check header orientation and host serial configuration before stacking the board.
Arduino and ESP32 prototypes
Connect the microcontroller UART through the designated jumper-wire interface for command-and-response control of a servo axis.
Multi-axis test benches
Use the common bus to access several independently addressed motors, rather than adding a separate USB adapter to every axis.
Robotics software development
Validate communication, timing, status polling and error handling separately from the higher-level robot application.
Communication training and diagnostics
Use the transmit and receive LEDs to demonstrate serial traffic and investigate wiring or protocol issues. Differential bus wiring still requires correct grounding and termination planning for the installation.
Reference Documents
Documents & Manuals
Hardware & Integration
Packing List
| SKU | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
Gearotons-RS485
|
Gearotons RS485 Adapter Module | 1 |
FAQ
What does the Gearotons RS485 Adapter do?
It connects a USB or UART host to an RS-485 communication bus. It is an interface board, not a motor driver, power supply or standalone motion controller.
How does it work with Gearotons M17 motors?
The adapter carries commands between the host and the motor bus. Each motor executes its own motion control and requires a separate 12-24 V DC power supply.
Can I connect it to a PC or Mac?
Yes. Use one USB host connection through the USB-C or Micro-USB connector. The CP2102N bridge provides the USB-to-UART path; install the appropriate Silicon Labs VCP driver if your operating system requires it.
Which Raspberry Pi models are documented?
The official data sheet lists Raspberry Pi Zero, 3 and 4; the hardware repository also lists Zero 2 W. Check header alignment, clearances and serial-port configuration for the host.
Can Arduino and ESP32 boards use it?
Yes. Use the designated GND, TX and RX connection area and follow the board schematic for power and signal connections. Do not treat power-pin voltages as permission to apply those voltages to every signal pin.
Do I need a separate transmit-enable signal?
The board provides automatic transmit/receive switching. The host still needs to follow a request/response sequence so that devices do not drive the shared half-duplex bus at the same time.
What communication speed should I use?
The adapter data sheet specifies up to 1 Mbps as tested and supported. For Gearotons M17 motors, use their fixed 230400-baud, 8N1 settings; increasing the adapter baud rate does not increase the motor protocol rate.
Can one adapter communicate with several motors?
Yes. Use a shared A/B bus with a common ground, provide power to every motor and assign distinct device addresses. Cable layout and the number of nodes must suit the electrical installation.
Is the board plug-and-play with any RS-485 device?
No. RS-485 defines the electrical interface, not a universal application protocol. Baud rate, framing, addressing and command format must match the connected device; the adapter does not translate Modbus or other protocols automatically.
What is included, and what else is needed?
The package contains one Gearotons RS485 Adapter Module. A host controller, suitable connection cables, motors and a motor power supply are separate system components.
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