LonWorks technology is a complete control network technology that includes all aspects from the physical layer to the application layer and even the network operating system. RS485 is just an interface technology for serial communication.

2. Communication medium differences: LonWorks technology supports multiple media, working in the same network, such as twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, power lines, wireless, fiber optics, infrared, etc. RS485 communication cannot support multiple media.

3. Topology differences: LonWorks technology supports various network structures such as bus, star, ring, and free topology, and twisted pair cables have no polarity. 485 communication can only be a bus based structure, and twisted pair cables have polarity.

4. Transmission distance difference: The length of LonWorks technology network can reach 2700 meters (without repeaters). Each subnet can have 64 nodes. The RS485 bus length can only reach 1000m, and each segment has only 32 nodes.

5. Differences in signal processing capabilities: A neuron chip contains three CPUs that can handle complex network communication applications, and the signal interface is isolated by transformers. 485 only provides communication interface chips.

6. Differences in system openness: LonWorks technology has good openness, and products from different manufacturers using LonWorks technology can work in coordination on the same network. It is difficult for products from different manufacturers using RS485 technology to work online.

7. Differences in Extended Functionality: LonWorks technology supports complete network structures such as domains, subnets, and nodes. Each LonWorks network supports a maximum of 32385 nodes per domain. RS485 communication is difficult to compare with this.

8. Differences in communication methods: LonWorks technology is a peer-to-peer communication network, where each node has equal status, high reliability, and good real-time performance. RS485 communication generally adopts a master-slave structure.

9. Differences in anti-interference ability: LonWorks technology has strong resistance to common mode interference and can adapt to harsh environments. The anti-interference ability of 485 communication is poor.

10. Construction and maintenance differences: LonWorks network construction, networking, and maintenance are convenient. RS485 communication is difficult to achieve this.