usb to serial config

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I have a gps program (from one vendor) that is looking for the gps unit via a
com port and the gps unit (from a different vendor) that hooks up via usb
port.
Is there a way to map the usb port so it acts like a com port??
 
There are multiple issues at work here...

all usb->serial converters show up as comm ports... check the device
manager when connected... but most usb converters will likely use high
port numbers beyond com4

however, "standard" serial ports end at com3 or com4 and older software
may not be able to see higher comm ports.

There there are also irq issues within the com1-4 range

beyond that, simple three wire connections (transmit/receive/ground) as
found on many devices including gps units may not "wake up" the dongle.

"serial" has the ironic name as a number of "serial" factors must all be
correctly setup and working for any communication to occur...

....more details please.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
 
There is no dongle. I have a gps connected via usb port and software that is
looking for the gps unit on a com port. Is there a way to map the gps port
to a com port so I can tell the software what com port to use??

Thanks
 
There is no dongle. <<

it _really_ helps to know all the details for us to attempt to help

what make/model gps and what software and version and exactly what are
you trying to achieve?

If it's magellan... you can't get there from here if it's
map/waypoint/route file transfer... their usb comm connection only
supports nema data

If you are looking for gps sat data to track position, the software has
to support extended com ports. early versions of most mapping software
only supported com1-4

What's in the device manager with the device connected?

Did you look under "modems" as well as "ports?"

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
 
OK. The software is 'Trailer Life Campground Navigator 2007'. The GPS is a
Garmin Nuvi 350. The software is designed so I can hook up a GPS and it will
track my route while driving. When I go to the GPS setup section, my choices
are 'NEMA Serial' or 'Garmin GPS'. When I select either, it wants me to
select a port and baud rate (port choices are 1-100 and baud rate is
300-57600). The GPS hooks up to the laptop via USB.
Which port and what baud rate???
Any sugestions??


Beverly Howard said:
it _really_ helps to know all the details for us to attempt to help

what make/model gps and what software and version and exactly what are
you trying to achieve?

If it's magellan... you can't get there from here if it's
map/waypoint/route file transfer... their usb comm connection only
supports nema data

If you are looking for gps sat data to track position, the software has
to support extended com ports. early versions of most mapping software
only supported com1-4

What's in the device manager with the device connected?

Did you look under "modems" as well as "ports?"

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
Click to expand...
 
I don't know much about the garmin connect issues, but the following
will probably apply

You will need to assure that all the garmin usb drivers are loaded on
the laptop. You may also need to run garmin com port simulation
software on the laptop.

On the garmin, set it to nema data with a baud rate of 4800

open the device manager expand the modem, ports and usb trees and watch
as you connect the garmin... if the drivers are in place, you should see
it appear in the usb and one of the two other locations.

Once you see the modem or com connection, open up the properties to see
the com port number

start the mapping software, set the baud rate to 4800, select the comm
port and select nema if that is an option.

If there is no way to "watch" the connection data flow within the map
software, close it, open hypertermial, and then open "direct to com
port" the com port and set it to 8,n,1,4800 no flow control... if you
don't see data after connecting to the com port you noted in device
manager, the problem is somewhere between the os and the garmin comm setup.

That's the limit of my knowledge on this... if not successful, the place
to go is a garmin forum plus either a forum for the software or the vendor.

hope this helps,
Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
 
Back
Top