Thank you Meindert,

it clarifies the hardware part. Now, for
the software : can a normal computer (800 Mhz) handle serial data
coming at 488 bauds from a gps, and an other one, coming at 38400
bauds, from an AIS port, at the "same time " ?

Since I will probably take only the lat &
long, HDOP and number of sat's from the GPS, I will leave all
satellites related sentences (GPGSV) aside. Do you think I will be
better to do some timesharing between the ports, or let them fire the
comm events whenever they happen, no matter where they are from, I mean
from one port or the other ? I have never tried anything of this
nature. That's why I ask.

Thank you for your time.


Jacquelin H.