WedgeLink Keyboard Wedges

A keyboard wedge is used when you are trying to get data from some type of measuring device into applications that cannot accept data from a serial port. A software keyboard wedge reads data from a serial port and passes this data to a PC application in such a manner that the application thinks the data is entered via the keyboard.

Software and hardware keyboard wedges are used extensively in data acquisition applications that include statistical programs, spreadsheets, barcode, LIMS, etc. MicroRidge keyboard wedges can accept input data from any RS-232 serial device. The data is then passed to a Windows application in such a manner that the application thinks the data is actually coming from the keyboard.

WedgeLink SP

The WedgeLink SP is a hardware keyboard wedge that accepts input from RS-232 devices. With the WedgeLink SP, you can transfer RS-232 data into any PC application that accepts keyboard input. Some of the more common applications that are used with the WedgeLink SP include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, etc.

WedgeLink AT

The WedgeLink AT is a user-configurable hardware keyboard wedge that accepts input from any RS-232 device. With the WedgeLink AT, you can transfer RS-232 data into any PC application that accepts keyboard input. Common applications that are used with the WedgeLink AT include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Minitab.

Software Wedges

The WedgeLink software wedge is available in 2 editions: Lite and Standard. Both editions are full featured and the only difference between them is that the Lite edition does not support data parsing except for the addition of a date/time stamp.

Find the Right WedgeLink for You

The following table compares the WedgeLink keyboard wedges available from MicroRidge.


Product	WedgeLink SP	WedgeLink AT	WedgeLink Lite	WedgeLink Standard
Keyboard Wedge Type	Hardware		Software
Supported Gages & Devices	RS-232 gages & devices at 19.2k, 9600 or 4800 baud	RS-232 Gages and Devices
Setup Required	No	Yes
PC Connection	USB Port		N/A
Read Switch	No	Yes	No
Package Size	1.76″x1.24″x.63″	2.61″x2.61″x1.10″	N/A
Comments	4 Models Available: 19.2K-N-8 19600-N-8 19600-E-7 14800-E-7-1 or 2 (also supports gages with the Simplex Opto or Proximity interfaces).	Use this hardware wedge if you need data parsing or selectable baud rates. Keyboards emulated: US United Kingdom Belgium France Germany Mexico	Use this software wedge if data parsing is not required. Allows you to add a date/time stamp as a data prefix	Use this software wedge if you need full data parsing capabilities.

Software Keyboard Wedges

The advantage of a software wedge is that it provides much more flexibility in the formatting of data for presentation to the application and control of the target where the data is sent. In addition to transferring the information to the application, the WedgeLink software keyboard wedge can also simultaneously send the information to a disk file. The disadvantage of a software wedge is that your software wedge settings can be changed by your users.

Hardware Keyboard Wedges

It is not uncommon in a production type environment that a company will insist upon using a hardware wedge rather than a software wedge. An advantage of a hardware wedge is that it is simpler to use because it is more like a plug ‘n play device. In most cases, just plug it in and you are ready to go.