Clinical lab analyzers use two physical connection methods: RS-232 (serial) and TCP/IP (network). RS-232 is the legacy standard — a direct cable from the instrument to the lab computer's serial port, used by most instruments built before 2010. TCP/IP is the modern alternative — instruments connect over the hospital LAN and send data to a configurable IP address and port. Many labs have a mix of both.
Labs cannot simply replace RS-232 instruments with networked ones — analyzers cost $20,000–$200,000 each and are amortised over 8–15 years. Middleware must support both protocols simultaneously. Solutions that only handle one type force labs to run two separate middleware installations, doubling complexity and cost.
LISBridge runs both a serial port listener (for RS-232 instruments) and a TCP/IP server (for network instruments) simultaneously. Serial ports are auto-detected by plugging in the instrument — no driver installation needed. TCP/IP instruments are configured with LISBridge's IP address and port number. Both connection types feed into the same parser pipeline and produce the same structured output.
Plug in the instrument. LISBridge opens the serial port, reads the first data frame, identifies the instrument, and loads the correct ASTM parser — automatically.
LISBridge listens on a configurable TCP port. Network-connected instruments send data directly to this address. Multiple instruments can connect simultaneously.
One LISBridge installation handles RS-232 and TCP/IP instruments at the same time. Legacy and modern analyzers coexist without separate middleware.
If an RS-232 cable is unplugged or a TCP/IP connection drops, LISBridge re-establishes the connection automatically when the instrument comes back online.
TCP/IP connections can be restricted to trusted IP ranges. Instruments outside the allowlist are rejected — preventing unauthorised data injection.
Keep using your RS-232 instruments until they are fully depreciated. LISBridge extends the useful life of legacy analyzers while supporting new networked ones.
Yes. USB-to-RS-232 adapters work with LISBridge on any computer. Standard FTDI and Prolific chipset adapters are fully supported. LISBridge auto-detects the virtual COM port.
LISBridge supports multiple simultaneous connections — both RS-232 and TCP/IP. The exact number depends on your plan (Starter: 1 device + 2 instruments; Pro: 2 devices + 5 instruments; Enterprise: 5 devices + 15 instruments) and available serial ports/network capacity.
LISBridge auto-negotiates the baud rate based on the instrument profile. Most clinical analyzers use 9600 baud. Some older instruments use 2400 or 4800 baud. This is handled automatically — no manual configuration needed.
RS-232 connections are direct serial connections — they work independently of the hospital network. If the LAN goes down, RS-232-connected instruments continue sending data to LISBridge. TCP/IP instruments will stop until the network is restored, but will reconnect automatically.
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