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- Version 11.0.1068. (14 Nov, 2024). Release notes
The Proteus program is a top-rated simulation application that specializes in simulating electrical circuits, computer-aided design, and modeling of microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other programmable devices.
However, the Proteus simulator requires the assistance of additional software to create the virtual port. This is where Compim in Proteus and VSPD come into play, serving as a critical solution to this limitation.
In this short tutorial, we will illustrate how to use Virtual Serial Port Driver to create Proteus virtual serial ports.
In this test that makes use of the UART protocol, the microcontroller receives data transmitted from a program designated as the "host program". After processing the data, the microcontroller sends it back to the computer. An effective way to accomplish this is by using a UART-COM converter such as the MAX232 chip to connect the computer to the microcontroller.
In order to check this functionality, we will use Proteus. If we add a serial port model and connect the RXD and TXD, transmitted data should immediately be returned to the computer. This verifies the ability to enact serial communication in Proteus.
Ideally, a virtual serial port would be created in Proteus that would simulate the interaction with a physical interface. Then you could just run the device simulation and use Serial Port Terminal as the host program to test the connection. Unfortunately, the virtual port is not created in the Proteus simulator without the help of additional software.
The facility that allows the COM port model to work in Proteus is known as COMPIM.
COMPIM models a physical serial port. It buffers received serial communication and presents it as digital signals to the circuit. Any serial data transmitted from the UART model or the CPU will also travel through the computer’s serial port. There are workarounds that can be used to create a virtual serial port using Bluetooth or USB connectivity. Another feature of the COMPIM model is its ability to provide baud rate conversion. There is also optional software and hardware verification which can be implemented to address the physical and virtual aspects of the device.
There are two methods that can be used to check the functionality of the “host program” <-> “COM port” <-> “device model in the Proteus system”.
Proteus has advantages over other tools like VMLAb and Atmel Studio because it provides faster simulation of external serial ports. You can also work with commercial drivers using Proteus.
There is, however, an issue when we are using a modern laptop or another computer that does not contain a serial port.
Utilizing virtual serial ports in Proteus is essential for effective simulation and testing of serial communication protocols, especially in environments lacking physical COM ports. By leveraging tools like COMPIM and the Virtual Serial Port Driver, you can create a seamless connection between your microcontroller simulations and host applications. This tutorial has outlined the necessary steps to set up virtual serial ports, enabling you to efficiently test and validate your designs in a virtual environment. With these techniques, you can enhance your projects and streamline the development process, making Proteus a powerful ally in your engineering toolkit.
The resolution of this issue involves taking advantage of the power of Virtual Serial Port Driver. This professional-grade software from Electronic Team enables you to easily create connected pairs of virtual serial ports.
Just follow these simple steps:
Using these steps, virtual serial ports can be used with the Proteus simulator even on computers that are not equipped with physical COM ports.
Virtual Serial Port Driver