WedgeLink AT – Isolate Numeric Output

Applicable Devices
WedgeLink AT

A common feature for precision measuring devices is to output data via the RS-232 protocol. The WedgeLink AT can read RS-232 data and then translate that data into keyboard keystrokes to type the data directly into a software application’s user interface. Many RS-232 devices send additional information along with the desired measurement. For example, a scale may output stability mode, units, measuring type, and any tare value. The “Find First Numeric” Parse on the WedgeLink AT can filter out all the additional information and pass through the desired measurement value.

Required Software and Drivers

Enabling "Find First Numeric Field" Parsing

Connect the WedgeLink AT to your PC via a USB cable. Connect the USB cable to the “RS-232 & Prog” port on the WedgeLink-AT.
Open the WedgeLink AT Setup Program and connect to the WedgeLink AT by selecting the “Find the WedgeLink” button. This will establish a serial connection to the WedgeLink AT and any parameters saved to the WedgeLink AT will be loaded to the program.
Navigate to any of the Parse Tabs. For this example, “Parse #1” is used.
Click “Enable parsing group #”. Once enabled, the parsing options will become selectable. Click “Find first numeric field” to activate numeric isolation. If multiple numbers are in the output packet, chances are that the desired reading contains a decimal point. For this case, the “Decimal point required” can filter out any numbers that do not have a decimal point.
Return to the “Home” tab and send the new configuration to the WedgeLink AT by pressing the “Send Setup to WedgeLink” Button.

Testing Output Via Keyboard Wedge

After setup has been completed, change the USB cable from the “RS-232 & Prog” port to the “Wedge” Port. This output port will type in the desired data to any software application’s user interface.
Open the desired software application and click the desired text field for data entry.
Send a reading from the RS-232 Device and verify the desired value was entered.