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SimpleSerial

Beta feature

Plotting of simple serial devices is currently in early release state and still in development. Functionality can change over time and and stability can't be guaranteed.

SimpleSerial can be used to visualize and record data of custom serial devices with a plain text or delimitor-separated string output. It connects via a serial port to the software. This feature requires an online activation license.

Connection and setup

  1. Connect and power the external serial source.
  2. Open the device management panel.
  3. Use More and select SimpleSerialDevice.
  4. Select the correct COM port.
  5. Configure baud rate and other serial settings.
  6. Choose the data separator and decimal separator.
  7. Enable optional header-row parsing if the first row contains channel names.
  8. Start streaming and verify the live values.

Supported parser options:

  • Data separators: Comma (,), Semicolon (;), Tab (\t), Pipe (|), Space ( ), Colon (:)
  • Decimal separators: Period (.), Comma (,)

Typical serial defaults:

  • BaudRate: 115200
  • Parity: None
  • DataBits: 8
  • StopBits: One

Header and payload format

If a header row is sent, EasyGraph can assign channel names automatically.

Header parsing model:

  • The header uses the same line format as a normal data row.
  • It uses the selected separator and newline model.
  • Instead of numeric values, it contains text elements.
  • These elements become the channel names.
  • The header element count must match the number of values in later data rows.

Example A (comma data separator, period decimal separator):

...
12.42,5.00,1013.2\r\n
12.40,5.02,1013.1\r\n
...

Example B (semicolon data separator, comma decimal separator):

...
12,42;5,00;1013,2\n
12,40;5,02;1013,1\n
...

Example C with header row:

...
12.42;5.00;1013.8\n
Flow_A;Flow_B;Pressure\n
12.42;5.00;1013.2\n
12.40;5.02;1013.1\n
...

Tip: Header Row Implementation

To ensure the header row is updated even when the datastream of the target device is already started, consider sending the header row periodically, e.g. every 5 seconds.

Timeout behavior

The SimpleSerial device driver uses a hardcoded timeout of 1 second. It starts after the first valid packet has been received and is reset by each new valid packet. If no valid incoming data is received within that time window, EasyGraph terminates the device connection.

There is no automatic reconnect. As with other EasyGraph devices, the device appears as an offline gray entry in the device management panel. Clicking that entry removes it from the list. To reconnect, start the original connection workflow again.

Troubleshooting

Symptom Likely cause Recommended action
No values displayed Wrong COM port Re-check the COM port in Windows Device Manager
No values displayed Wrong serial settings Verify baud rate, parity, stopbits
Values are garbled Baud or parity mismatch Match the sender and EasyGraph serial settings
Random disconnects Cable, noise, or power issue Improve shielding, shorten the cable, stabilize the supply
Port cannot be opened Port blocked by another application Close other terminal or logger applications
Wrong channel names Header row not enabled or malformed Verify the header/data element count + format
Decimal parse errors Decimal separator mismatch Switch between period and comma decimal separator

Limits and best practices

  • Keep channel count reasonable for the target sample rate and PC capacity.
  • Use one consistent separator scheme in all rows.
  • Do not mix decimal separators in the same stream.
  • Prefer explicit header rows for repeatable projects.
  • Provide one meaningful header element per channel.