Topic: Searching a Software: One COM Port to n virtual Com Ports

[pebe]

I am searching for a com port multiplier 
Means:
a Programm which listen to the com Port where the NMEA Data is comming to the PC
and then offers for example 2 virtual com ports and output the NMEA.
So i can use two software Programms, each connect to one virtual com port.
So both Programms can be used at the same time Live.

Anyone knows such a Programm ?

pebe

[RGecy]

There are certainly virtual COM port drivers, here is a Google Search for Virtual COM port.

Here is one I found: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

Good Luck,

Robert

[Chiboo]

This software named as GPSGate.   

"Using Franson GpsGate it is possible to share one GPS between many   
      applications running on a laptop or handheld computer. Today’s     
    solutions only allow one application to take exclusive access of a   
     connected GPS. As more applications are becoming position aware,   
                   GPS sharing will become a necessity.                   "

[pebe]

Thank you all.

Cant believe that there are so many Solutions available.
I mentioned that this was a unpopular thing... but i am wrong   
Now i will look at the search results from google, if there are Opensource or even free Programms available.

I also got an idea:

Because ther is no handshake needed, i will just contact two serial ports together, GRND and Transmit from the Unit to
each GND and RCV of the two serial ports.
This should work i think, because i dont have to deal with handshake signals (RTS/CTS and so on.)

[radudragusi]

If the solution is not working I'll build a small box for you.

[Jolly Roger]

PeBe,
did you find any solution with your software? If so, what is it?

Regards / Harry

[keizerh]

Meindert (20 km from here ) builds them.

Virtualplex to create up to many virtual com ports from 1 (used this for about flawless years)

Miniplex to isolate and buffer nmea in to nema out, rs232 out or usb out.

http://www.shipmodul.com/en/index.html



hendrik

[pebe]

Yes, for Connections without Handshakes, its possible to connect the two serial Ports of the PC to the same Source :-)
No need of extra Software oder hardware.
If your Notebook has only one Serial Conector, try an USB2Serial an Y-Wire the 3 Lines.

BUT,
I have tested this only once a time to check if this Solution works with wires connected using (dont know the right word) let me say hand wireing together.
This was told to my by a fried, he said he gives no Guarantee that this will work with more than two Serial Inputs to the Notebook because he has no specification on how much mA the Ouput from the HB Unit can provide.
He said it should be work with more than two but...this is untested.

At the Moment i never went out on the Water with the Notebook so i couldnt say if this works stable and is a 100% Solution.
I will give it a try in this Summer.

It sound really nice, because it cost only another USB2Serial Adapter and two DB9 SUB Connectors to build the Y-Wire.

[Jolly Roger]

Thanks Peter,

we are working on our end to get my Laptop up to speed for navigation, but as it looks like,  I ran into a software problem 


Regards / Harry

[pebe]

Ill will send you a PN, so we can talk in German.