====== MixW Serial Port Bridge ======
This driver [[http://mixw.net/index.php?j=downloads|download here]] emulates two serial ports (for example, COM5 and COM6) and provides the "bridge" between them, which is equivalent to a null-modem cable. The baudrate settings DO NOT matter. This driver is part of [[http://mixw.net/|MixW]] which is software for HAMs and released under the following copyright:
<file>
Copyrights
==========
  
This software is provided "AS IS" without any warranty.

You may use this driver for any purpose, freely copy and distribute 
this archive in unmodified state.

If you use the cource code of this driver or its parts in your own 
applications (requires Windows 2000 DDK), please leave references 
to http://www.mixw.net.
</file>

{{  soarpilot:comemul2.gif  }}


===== Installing the driver =====
Download the ZIP archive {{soarpilot:comemuldrv3.zip|ComEmulDrv3.zip}} and extract using WinZIP or other extraction tool. Remember where the archive is extracted (see step 10 below) and follow the next steps to install ((these steps and screenshots are for Windows 2000 but Windows XP is about the same)).

  - Open Control Panel
  - Run "Add/Remove Hardware"
  - At "Welcome to Add/Remove hardware" screen, click "Next"
  - Select "Add/Troubleshoot a device and click "Next"
  - Wait
  - In Devices box, select "Add a new device", click "Next"
  - Select "No, I want to select the hardware from a list" and click "Next"
  - From Hardware types list, select "Multi-port serial adapters" and click "Next"
  - Click "Have Disk"
  - Click "Browse" and locate **ComEmulDrv.inf** file, then click "Open"
  - In "Install From Disk" dialog, click "OK"
  - Select "MixW serial port bridge" and click "Next"
  - Click "Next"
  - In "Digital Signature Not Found" dialog, click "Yes"
  - Click "Finish"


===== Configuring =====

  - Open "System" from Control Panel
  - Select "Hardware" tab
  - Click "Device Manager"
  - Locate "MixW serial port bridge" under "Multi-port serial adapters"
  - Right-click on it and choose "Properties"
  - Select Properties tab
  - Choose first and second emulated ports for each pair.\\ WARNING: Choosing ports which already exist may cause driver conflicts!
  - Click OK and reboot the computer

<note>Emulated ports **DO NOT** appear under "Ports (COM & LPT)" in Control Panel!</note>

{{soarpilot:mixw_device_manager.png}}\\ 
//MixW serial port bridge// in the device manager\\ 


{{soarpilot:mixw_config.png}}\\ 
//MixW serial port properties dialog// COM pair setup


===== Using null-modem loopback =====
Configure [[pose|POSE]] or your Palm Simulator to connect to one end of the emulated COM pair and [[soarpilot:pose#nmea_input_stream|SeeYou in IGC playback]] or a soaring simulator like Condor or SOTS (see [[soarpilot:links|links page]]) with NMEA output to use the other COM port and voila you should be able to use Soaring Pilot with the NMEA input stream to get acquainted with its features.