In today’s mobile fleet, a single laptop or rugged tablet often needs to simultaneously run a complex suite of applications: Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Automated Vehicle Location (AVL), asset management software, and consumer-grade mapping tools. All of these programs require a reliable, consistent feed of Global Positioning System (GPS) data. The challenge? Hardware GPS receivers typically output their data to a single physical or serial COM port. When multiple mission-critical applications try to access that single port at once, they conflict, resulting in application failures, system crashes, and work stoppages. The answer to this complex integration challenge is GPS Port Splitting Technology.
The Technical Headache: Why GPS Data Conflicts Occur
The issue stems from the limitations of the traditional computer architecture for serial communication. When an application opens a standard COM port (the channel through which GPS data, typically in NMEA data format, flows), it usually gains exclusive lock and control over that port. Any subsequent application attempting to read the GPS data will be blocked and return an error message.
This scenario forces IT departments to choose between two undesirable outcomes:
Driver Intervention: Relying on the driver to manually close one application before opening another, leading to potential data loss or operational errors.
Hardware Redundancy: Installing multiple GPS receivers (one for each application), which significantly increases hardware cost, installation complexity, and the potential for conflicting data feeds.
Neither option is viable for utility, municipal, or telecommunications fleets that rely on seamless, continuous GPS performance for routing and dispatch.
The Solution: How GPS Port Splitting Technology Works
GPS Port Splitting Technology acts as an intelligent intermediary layer between the hardware GPS receiver and the software applications. A sophisticated solution like IPCGPS’s SmartPort accomplishes this by creating Virtual COM Ports.
The process is as follows: The software captures the single data stream from the physical GPS port. It then virtualizes and clones this real-time data into multiple, unique virtual COM ports. To the applications, these virtual ports appear exactly like a standard physical port. However, because they are virtualized copies, they can be opened simultaneously by numerous applications without conflict. This means a single, reliable GPS source can feed unlimited applications at once.
Beyond Simple Splitting: Added Value
Effective GPS Port Splitting Technology does more than just share data; it builds intelligence into your deployment:
Handling Windows Events: Advanced features prevent loss of GPS connectivity when a mobile device hibernates, undocks, or suffers a momentary power interruption—common occurrences in the field.
Port Remapping and Legacy Support: The technology ensures compatibility with older or proprietary applications that may require a specific port number (e.g., COM4 or less) by dynamically remapping the virtual ports.
Run as a Service: Running the splitter as a Windows® service ensures that the GPS data stream is available the moment the operating system starts, independent of user log-in, providing ultimate reliability for continuous fleet tracking systems.
Maximizing ROI for Your Mobile Deployment
The return on investment (ROI) for implementing GPS Port Splitting Technology is realized across multiple areas of your operation. By standardizing on a single GPS receiver per vehicle, you immediately reduce procurement and installation costs. Crucially, you reduce support calls related to “lost” GPS data and application failure, freeing up your IT staff for higher-value tasks.
For system integrators, this technology simplifies the deployment process dramatically. Instead of developing custom workarounds for GPS sharing, they can leverage a proven, off-the-shelf solution, ensuring that every mobile application—from navigation to AVL—receives accurate, up-to-the-second data instantly. This seamless integration enhances driver performance and boosts the overall efficiency of your field operations.
In the hyper-connected mobile environment, the single-port limitation of GPS hardware is a workflow bottleneck and a source of frustration. GPS Port Splitting Technology is no longer a luxury—it is an essential element of modern fleet system integration. Stop fighting resource conflicts and stop paying for redundant hardware. Implement IPCGPS’s proven technology and empower your entire suite of mobile applications with reliable, continuous GPS intelligence.