The MAX485CSA can support data rates up to 2.5 Mbps.
Yes, the MAX485CSA can be used in a multi-point application, but it requires an external biasing network to ensure that the receivers are properly biased.
The MAX485CSA requires a termination resistor (R_T) at the receiving end to match the characteristic impedance of the transmission line. The value of R_T depends on the transmission line impedance, typically 120 ohms for a standard RS-485 bus.
The maximum cable length depends on the data rate and the transmission line characteristics. As a general rule, the maximum cable length is approximately 4000 feet (1219 meters) at 9600 bps and 1000 feet (305 meters) at 115.2 kbps.
The MAX485CSA can be used in either half-duplex or full-duplex configurations, depending on the application requirements.