Using a Virtual Serial Driver to Integrate GPS Hardware (Windows Embedded CE 6.0)
1/6/2010
The GPS Intermediate Driver interacts with GPS hardware using the CreateFile and ReadFile functions. This means that, to be accessible to the GPS Intermediate Driver, GPS hardware must use or provide a device driver that makes the hardware appear through a serial interface/COM port.
Specifically, for GPS hardware that interacts through a physical serial connection, the serial driver available with Windows Embedded CE is sufficient. For GPS hardware that interacts through some other means, such as Compact Flash, SDIO, Bluetooth, or other peripheral interface, the GPS hardware manufacturer must provide a virtual serial device driver that emulates a COM port.
For more information about the means by which the GPS Intermediate Driver interacts with GPS hardware, see GPS Intermediate Driver Architecture. For general information about implementing a virtual serial driver that emulates a COM port, see Stream Interface Drivers.