using 2 serial port simultaneously

[38090]

Hi,

   I am currently working to integrate a headtracker to the computer using labwindows via serial port 1(comport1). It runs at 115200 baud

I also want to integrate an eye tracker to the computer using labwindows via serial port 2(comport2) . It runs at 38400 baud.

Is it possible to run both these systems simultaneously in one labwindows program.

Waiting for a reply

Kunal Chaniary

[Mert_A.]

Hi Kunal,

You may certainly program two ports independently within the same program.  Each port has its own separate input and output queues, as well as independent callback mechanisms.  You may open any number of ports simultaneously with completely different settings, and read/write to them from any number of threads.

Mert A.
National Instruments

[mvr]

As Mert A stated, multiple serial ports are not an issue.  With current generation PCs they can easily service multiple serial ports, even at the higher baud rates.  When combined with 16550 or better UART (which have there own internal buffer) based serial hardware you should not have any problem at all, even if you add couple more ports, or increase the baud rate.

[MJF]

Just as an example, I once wrote a CVI application using VISA I/O to control and query test status of up to 48 DSL modems simultaneously in a large test system. I had several RocketPort serial cards installed to get the number of ports I needed. The UART hardware was more than capable of handling the input and output queues and the 350 MHz processor it was all running on was more than capable of keeping up.

[Ray.R]

We do this all the time.  We monitor up to 12 serial port simultaneously.  We prefer Rocketports, especially if you have Win-Xp.