The SN65HVD178x-Q1 family of devices is a half-duplex RS-485 transceiver commonly used for asynchronous data transmissions. The driver and receiver enable pins allow for the configuration of different operating modes.

Figure 8-1 Half-Duplex Transceiver Configurations

Using independent enable lines provides the most flexible control as it allows for the driver and the receiver to be turned on and off individually. While this configuration requires two control lines, it allows for selective listening into the bus traffic, whether the driver is transmitting data or not.

Combining the enable signals simplifies the interface to the controller by forming a single direction-control signal. In this configuration, the transceiver operates as a driver when the direction-control line is high, and as a receiver when the direction-control line is low.

Additionally, only one line is required when connecting the receiver-enable input to ground and controlling only the driver-enable input. In this configuration, a node not only receives the data from the bus, but also the data it sends and can verify that the correct data have been transmitted.