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Docklight is a powerful tool designed for testing, analyzing, and simulating serial communication protocols like RS232, RS485/422, and others. Whether you're monitoring the interaction between two serial devices or testing the communication of a single device, Docklight provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies these processes. It is compatible with almost any standard PC running Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11.
In addition to basic serial communication testing, Docklight offers advanced features such as protocol simulation, automated testing, and data logging, making it an indispensable tool for developers, engineers, and technicians working with serial protocols.
Docklight Scripting, a specialized version of the software, expands the capabilities of Docklight by providing an easy-to-use scripting language and an integrated editor for automating complex test jobs. It also supports communication interfaces like TCP, UDP, USB HID, and Named Pipes, in addition to COM ports (RS232).
Features of Docklight:
- Monitor Serial Communication: Docklight allows users to monitor the communication between two devices using serial communication protocols such as RS232, RS485, and RS422. This is essential for testing device interactions in real-time.
- Simulate Serial Protocols: Docklight can simulate serial communication protocols, enabling users to create virtual devices that mimic real-world communication scenarios. This helps developers to test without the need for physical hardware.
- Automated Test Scripting: Docklight Scripting enables users to automate repetitive test tasks by creating scripts. The scripting language is easy to learn and use, and the built-in editor provides a seamless environment to write, test, and run scripts.
- Support for Multiple Communication Interfaces: Beyond traditional serial ports (COM), Docklight supports TCP, UDP, USB HID, and Named Pipes. This makes the tool versatile for modern device testing and communication scenarios.
- Data Logging: Users can log all communication data for later analysis. This feature is especially useful for identifying specific data sequences and reviewing communications in detail after tests.
- Detecting Specific Data Sequences: Docklight allows users to define specific data patterns, and it will alert the user whenever these patterns appear in the communication. This is helpful for monitoring critical data exchanges or error patterns.
- Response to Incoming Data: Docklight can be set to automatically respond to incoming data based on predefined rules. This makes it ideal for simulating devices that need to communicate with specific response protocols.
- Testing Single and Paired Devices: Users can test either individual devices or communication between two devices. Docklight captures and displays data in real time, allowing for quick troubleshooting of communication issues.
- Customizable Output: Docklight enables users to configure how data is displayed, including converting raw binary or hexadecimal data into readable formats. This helps to streamline analysis and debugging processes.
- Error Detection and Handling: The tool can detect communication errors, such as timeouts, transmission errors, or data mismatches, and provides detailed error reports. This is crucial for ensuring reliability in communication systems.
- Flexible Communication Setup: Docklight supports various baud rates, parity settings, stop bits, and other customizable parameters, ensuring that the software can be tailored to fit any serial communication configuration.
- Exporting Logs and Data: Users can export captured communication logs into various formats such as text files for further analysis or sharing with colleagues. This makes documentation and troubleshooting much easier.
- Compatibility with Major Windows Versions: Docklight is compatible with a wide range of Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, ensuring that it works on both older and modern systems.
Docklight is an all-in-one solution for anyone working with serial communication protocols. Its ability to monitor, test, simulate, and log serial communication data in real time, combined with advanced features like automated scripting and multi-interface support, makes it a versatile and indispensable tool for developers and engineers. Whether testing simple devices or complex communication protocols, Docklight provides the necessary tools to ensure efficient and reliable communication testing and debugging.
Note:
Evaluation Mode - Limited Functionality: The evaluation version provides all communication functionality and does not contain any time limit. However, you may not make permanent any project or communication data.
Docklight - Changelog:
- Fixes:
- Fixed high CPU usage with COM ports. (A Windows 10/11 issue that appeared after release; new version avoids repeated GetCommMask calls which seem to be the cause.)
- Fixed display bug in Project Settings when switching between baud rate setting "none" and actual baud rates.
- Fixed display bug when using a Send Sequence with parameters: The documentation area is now updated before the Send Sequence Parameter dialog appears and shows the corresponding sequence documentation.
- Improvements:
- External Editor support for "Visual Studio Code". Improved presets include now extra waiting time to allow the external editor to complete the "save" operation
- Added checksum types: CRC-XMODEM (corresponds to CRC:16,1021,0000,0000,NO,NO) and MOD65536.
- Added XOR and CRC-XMODEM to the dropdown list with common checksums.