Need some advise on making five PICs communicate to each other

[FromTheCockpit]

I want to make a few (5 PICs) talk to each other. (Sorry I wrote 'two' in the heading - can't change it now)

Edit: fixed it for you.
- Robert


Its more like 4 slaves with one master. They need to talk over a wired distance of not more than 500feet. What could be the best approach towards this? I want to know if there are any special ICs etc which can be fed data from a PIC and they transmit it with some power so data reaches the desirable distance also what to choose towards connector type so wires can just be plugged into the units. Thanks

[gadelhas]

I want to make a few (5 PICs) talk to each other. (Sorry I wrote 'two' in the heading - can't change it now)

Its more like 4 slaves with one master. They need to talk over a wired distance of not more than 500feet. What could be the best approach towards this? I want to know if there are any special ICs etc which can be fed data from a PIC and they transmit it with some power so data reaches the desirable distance also what to choose towards connector type so wires can just be plugged into the units. Thanks

I will do it over 485. You can use a PIC with 485 or an external chip, like the MAX485/LTC485 or any other.
You can use many types of connectores, its reliable, and probably there is many examples on this forum.

[FromTheCockpit]

I will do it over 485. You can use a PIC with 485 or an external chip, like the MAX485/LTC485 or any other.
You can use many types of connectores, its reliable, and probably there is many examples on this forum.

Do these RS485 cables connect to RJ45 connectors? (I am sorry this is my first time with them)

[gadelhas]

Do these RS485 cables connect to RJ45 connectors? (I am sorry this is my first time with them)

If you want you can use RJ45, however you can use any other connector, like this;
http://www.ebay.es/itm/250672034637?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[FromTheCockpit]

Thanks M8. Got one more for you.
I have 4 slaves, lets say they all have RJ45 type connector (for easy application). So one wire comes out from them, 4 in total.

How does one master connects with 4 slaves in terms of hardware. I have seen RJ45 splitters http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/network-cable-splitter.html
Will I need 3 of these? (two plugged into 1)

[gadelhas]

Thanks M8. Got one more for you.
I have 4 slaves, lets say they all have RJ45 type connector (for easy application). So one wire comes out from them, 4 in total.

How does one master connects with 4 slaves in terms of hardware. I have seen RJ45 splitters http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/network-cable-splitter.html
Will I need 3 of these? (two plugged into 1)

Humm... i think you must read something about RS485 to clarify your doubts. Google for RS485, but in meanwhile, RS485 uses two wires ( BUS) and all the modules connect in parallel to this two wires.

Check also the datasheet of the MAX485 or the LTC485 and you can see how it works.

[ardhuru]

Here's another approach using a somewhat proprietary protocol.


http://jap.hu/electronic/pbus.html

Regards,

Anand