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Summary: Learn how to make your applications communicate over a serial port and how to handle common issues when implementing serial solutions. After a general discussion about serial communication and a common serial communication standard, this article demonstrates a practical use of the technologies through sample source code written in C#. (35 printed pages)

Download SerialCommNETCF.msi from the Microsoft Download Center.

Contents Introduction Serial Communication in Industry Serial Resources Testing Serial Solutions Graphics with GDI+ Pocket PC Sample Smartphone Sample Simulator Sample Code Walkthrough Using Serial Ports in the Emulator Conclusion

Introduction Many professional mobile solutions involve communication over a serial (also known as a communications [COM] or RS232) port. Even though most mobile devices do not have a physical serial port, the cradle usually provides one. Also, there are several emulations of serial ports; the most common examples are infrared, Bluetooth, universal serial bus (USB), and virtual serial ports.

You can, therefore, connect a mobile device to existing equipment that has a serial interface. Because many portable instruments and other field equipment have such an interface, the match with a mobile device like a Pocket PC or Smartphone is perfect. Modern devices and the proper software can make those instruments come to life in a new manner. Information can be presented in a highly graphical and user-friendly fashion, and data from different equipment can be combined to create better support for quick decisions.

After describing serial communication technology, a serial standard, and the tools—and providing some general advice—this article will show and examine a real-world sample.