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[KB505]How to share a physical com port on the same computer

Tags: Communication

13 years ago
By NK
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Applies to:

PcVue all versions


Summary:

This article describes how duplicate a physical Com port, or share a virtual Com port, on the same computer.

For example to  make a simulation of Modbus Master and Modbus Slave on the same computer.


Details:

It is impossible to share a Port com on the same computer. But when you use the freeware ”Virtual Serial Port Emulator” you can:

Make a simulation Master/Slave on the same computer

Unlike regular serial port, the software provide a virtual device that can be opened twice.  You can use the same virtual port com to exchange data between separate applications.

Share a physical Port com between several applications

Let’s assume that you have GPS receiver that’s already connected to your computer to the physical serial port COM1. You can create a virtual device that represents an existing serial port to share it between different applications.

Solution

Make a simulation client/server on the same computer

  1. Close program that opened serial port.
  2.  Run VSPE and create the connector device.
    Specify_device_type
  3. Select COM3 in “Virtual serial port” combo box.
    Specify_device_characteristics
  4.  Now two different application can communicate on COM3.
    Virtual_Serial_Ports_Emulator

Share a physical Port com between several applications:

  1.  Close program that opened serial port.
  2.  Run VSPE and create the splitter device.
    Specify_device_type_2
  3. Select COM1 in “Data source serial port” combo box and COM3 in “Virtual serial port”.
    Specify_device_characteristics
  4.  Now configure all your programs to receive data from COM3.
    Virtual_Serial_Ports_Emulator_2

Other information:

  • You can use TCP/IP connection to remote computer and transfers data from existing serial port to remote PC and vice versa.
  • The software is not freeware for 64 bit platform.
  • You can download the Virtual Serial Port Emulator from eterlogic.com.

 


Created on: 26 Sep 2011 Last update: 13 May 2024