Serial COM Tools for Windows Terminal

A detailed guide to connecting via serial ports using Windows Terminal

Key Highlights

Integration with Dedicated Tools: Tools like PuTTY, SimplySerial, and minicom (via WSL) help bridge the gap in Windows Terminal's native capabilities.
Flexible Configurations: Customize connections by specifying COM port, baud rate, parity, data bits, and stop bits using various command-line options.
Advanced Usage Options: Options such as scripting with PowerShell and using GUI alternatives (RealTerm, Tera Term) extend functionalities by providing interactive sessions and additional debugging features.

Overview of Serial COM Tools and Their Integration with Windows Terminal

The Windows Terminal is a versatile command-line interface that supports multiple shell environments such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). However, it does not natively provide the functionality to connect directly to serial COM ports. To bridge this gap, several external tools and methods can be integrated with Windows Terminal, each providing a different set of capabilities tailored for various serial communication needs. In this guide, we discuss several popular tools, their configurations, and best practices for integrating them into your workflow.

Popular Tools and Methods

1. PuTTY and Plink

PuTTY is one of the most recognized terminal emulators, which supports a range of protocols including SSH, Telnet, and serial communications. Its command-line companion, Plink, allows users to initiate serial connections directly from a script or command prompt.

PuTTY

The graphical interface of PuTTY is widely appreciated for its ease of use when establishing serial communications. Users can configure the COM port, baud rate, parity, stop bits, and data bits through the interface. However, it requires launching a separate application outside the Windows Terminal environment.

Plink

Plink facilitates command-line operations as it can be invoked with specific parameters to make serial connections. For example, to connect to COM1 at a baud rate of 115200 with the settings 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity, the command might look like this:

// Command example using Plink:
// 
// plink -serial COM1 -sercfg 115200,8,1,N,N

This method is particularly useful when automating serial connections or when working on remote scripts that require interaction with serial devices.

2. SimplySerial

SimplySerial is a lightweight Windows console application designed specifically for serial communication. Its simplicity and ease of use make it an ideal candidate for direct integration with Windows Terminal.

Features and Usage

SimplySerial provides a straightforward command-line interface where you can specify the COM port, baud rate, and other essential parameters. For instance, using the command "ss" followed by parameters can launch a session directly within Windows Terminal. A typical configuration might involve creating a new profile in Windows Terminal's settings.json file such as:

{
    "commandline": "ss -com:4 -baud:115200",
    "name": "COM4"
}

This configuration tells Windows Terminal to start SimplySerial on COM4 at a baud rate of 115200, providing an integrated and seamless experience.

3. Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Minicom

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) extends Windows capabilities by allowing users to run a Linux environment directly within Windows. With WSL, you have access to Linux-based terminal emulators like minicom, which is traditionally used for serial port communication on Linux systems.

Using Minicom on WSL

Minicom is highly configurable and supports a wide range of serial communication features. To use minicom via WSL, ensure that your serial device is correctly mapped to the WSL environment. A basic command might entail launching WSL and starting minicom as follows:

// Start minicom on a specified COM port through WSL:
// wsl -d DISTRONAME minicom

This integration makes it possible to leverage powerful Linux tools for serial communication in a Windows setup, providing additional flexibility for developers familiar with Linux environments.

4. PowerShell's System.IO.Ports.SerialPort Class

For users who prefer native Windows scripting, PowerShell provides a rich set of features for managing serial communications through the System.IO.Ports.SerialPort class. This class allows you to establish and manage serial connections directly from PowerShell without needing external tools.

Basic PowerShell Serial Connection

An example of initiating and configuring a serial port in PowerShell is as follows:

# PowerShell Example: Initialize and open a serial port session.
$port = New-Object System.IO.Ports.SerialPort COM4,9600,None,8,one
$port.Open()
// Perform operations...
$port.Close()

While this method demands more hands-on coding, it offers tremendous flexibility for integrating serial communications into scripts for testing, automation, and device management.

5. Alternative Tools: RealTerm, Tera Term, and Others

Beyond the aforementioned tools, several alternatives are available for different user preferences and advanced functionalities:

RealTerm

Designed primarily for engineers and developers, RealTerm offers extensive capabilities for debugging serial communications. With features tailored for data capturing, logging, and detailed view functionalities, it represents a robust alternative when detailed analysis of serial data is required.

Tera Term

Tera Term is another terminal emulator that supports serially connected devices, offering a user-friendly GUI interface. Tera Term allows users to quickly configure serial connections, making it a popular choice for less script-intensive environments.

Other Noteworthy Tools

Solutions like Docklight, SerialTerm, and CoolTerm are also worthy mentions for their specialty features such as real-time text color differentiation, control character display, and enhanced logging capabilities. These tools are particularly useful when working on complex projects requiring in-depth serial port debugging and monitoring.

Configuring and Customizing Serial Connections

Effective serial communication often requires careful configuration to ensure that the tool being used can communicate properly with the target device. Here are some detailed configuration parameters commonly adjusted across these tools:

Parameter	Description	Typical Values	Usage
COM Port	The serial port identifier (e.g., COM1, COM4, etc.)	COM1, COM2, COM3, ...	Specifies the physical serial port to connect with.
Baud Rate	The speed of communication measured in bits per second (bps)	9600, 115200, etc.	Defines the transmission speed; must match the device's configuration.
Parity	Error checking mechanism for data integrity	None, Even, Odd	Ensures that data is sent and received without corruption.
Data Bits	Number of bits in a transmitted data packet	7 or 8	Establishes the amount of data sent in each character.
Stop Bits	Indicates the end of a data packet	1 or 2	Confirms the end of a data transmission sequence.

This table encapsulates the primary parameters required for a successful serial connection. Most of the discussed tools allow configuring these parameters either through command-line arguments (as seen in PuTTY, SimplySerial, and Plink) or GUI configuration menus (as provided by Tera Term and RealTerm).

Integrating Serial Tools with Windows Terminal

Although Windows Terminal does not directly support serial communications, its capability to host multiple profiles enables you to integrate external tools smoothly.

Setting Up a Custom Profile

For a tool like SimplySerial, you can create a new profile within Windows Terminal by editing the settings.json file. Below is an example profile configuration:

{
    "profiles": {
      "list": [
        {
          "guid": "{some-guid}",
          "name": "COM4 Session",
          "commandline": "ss -com:4 -baud:115200",
          "startingDirectory": "%USERPROFILE%"
        }
      ]
    }
}

This configuration allows you to access the serial communication session on COM4 directly from Windows Terminal. Similarly, profiles can also be set up to launch PuTTY, WSL with minicom, or even a PowerShell session that utilizes the System.IO.Ports.SerialPort class.

These integrations make it possible to switch between command line, Linux-based utilities, and serial diagnostics without leaving the unified Windows Terminal interface, leading to a smoother workflow for developers and engineers alike.

Advanced Use Cases and Automation

The options available for serial communication with Windows Terminal not only address basic connectivity but also offer advanced functionalities:

Scripting and Automation

Integrating command-line tools such as Plink with scripting languages (like PowerShell or Bash) opens up opportunities for automation. It enables users to perform batch operations, log data in real time, and develop custom utilities for testing embedded devices. Automation is crucial for systems that require frequent or repetitive communication tasks with serial devices.

Debugging and Data Logging

Tools like RealTerm and CoolTerm offer specialized features for data logging and debugging. They provide visual indicators and logging mechanisms that help developers monitor the transmission and reception of data, which is essential for troubleshooting communication issues.

Cross-Platform Flexibility

Using WSL and Linux-based tools such as minicom gives users the flexibility to operate in a familiar Linux environment while still using Windows Terminal as the primary interface. This cross-platform integration is particularly useful for developers who work in heterogeneous environments and require the versatility to switch operating systems without changing their workflow.

Comparative Table: Serial Communication Tools

Tool	Interface Type	Integration Method	Key Features
PuTTY/Plink	GUI / Command Line	Separate Application / Integrated via command-line	Widely used, supports multiple protocols, automation with Plink
SimplySerial	Command Line Console	Direct integration in Windows Terminal via custom profiles	Simple, lightweight, easy to configure
WSL/Minicom	Linux Terminal (WSL)	Integrated via WSL	Flexible configuration, robust for Linux tool users
PowerShell	Command Line Scripting	Native Windows	Customizable via System.IO.Ports.SerialPort, great for automation
RealTerm/Tera Term	GUI	Standalone, can be launched from Windows Terminal	Advanced debugging, data logging, user-friendly interfaces

The table above summarizes the depth and variety of tools available for achieving serial communications via Windows Terminal. By understanding the strengths of each tool, you can select the one that best fits your operational requirements and technical preferences.