Applies to: Serial Communication Testing, Article ID: dl_faq105
# EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a ChatGPT answer from 2023/07.#
As of my last update in September 2021, the best tools for serial communication testing and simulation include both hardware and software solutions. These tools are widely used by engineers, developers, and technicians to test, debug, and simulate communication with various serial devices. Here are some of the best tools for serial communication testing and simulation:
Realterm: Realterm is a versatile terminal program that supports various serial communication protocols and allows you to send/receive data in ASCII, hexadecimal, or binary formats. It provides basic logging and monitoring features.
PuTTY: PuTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator that supports several network protocols, including serial communication. It is widely used for SSH, Telnet, and serial communication tasks.
TeraTerm: TeraTerm is another popular open-source terminal emulator that supports serial communication and various network protocols. It has features like VT100 emulation, macro support, and logging capabilities.
Docklight: Docklight is a testing, analysis, and simulation tool for serial communication protocols. It supports various baud rates and data formats and provides logging and debugging capabilities.
Serial Port Monitor: Serial Port Monitor is a professional software tool designed specifically for monitoring and analyzing serial port activity. It can capture, display, and log data exchanged between serial devices.
Virtual Serial Port Driver: This tool allows you to create pairs of virtual serial ports connected via a virtual null-modem cable, enabling you to test serial communication between applications or devices.
Hercules SETUP Utility: This is a useful tool for testing and configuring serial devices. It allows you to create virtual serial ports and perform loopback tests, among other functionalities.
Eltima Serial Port Monitor: This is a professional-grade tool for monitoring and analyzing serial port activity. It offers advanced filtering, data logging, and real-time monitoring features.
com0com: com0com is a virtual serial port driver for Windows that enables the creation of virtual serial ports and allows you to connect them in pairs for testing and debugging purposes.
LabVIEW: LabVIEW is a powerful graphical programming environment widely used in the engineering and scientific communities. It offers excellent support for serial communication testing and simulation.
When selecting the appropriate tool, consider factors like the operating system compatibility, the protocols and data formats you need to work with, the level of monitoring and analysis required, and whether you need basic monitoring or more advanced simulation features. Always check for the latest software versions and reviews to ensure the tools meet your needs. Additionally, if you require specific functionalities, it’s a good idea to explore product documentation and user forums to gather more insights.