Designed & Made in the USA Since 1983
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.Â
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.
Whether you’re comparing a hardware keyboard wedge to a software keyboard wedge, sizing up the WedgeLink AT against the WedgeLink SP, or troubleshooting an existing setup, the questions below cover the most common WedgeLink questions we hear from customers.
Don’t see your question? Email info@microridge.com or call 541-593-1656 and we’ll get you an answer.Â
The WedgeLink SP is a plug-and-play hardware keyboard wedge for RS-232 devices that already output clean, consistently formatted data. It requires no software, drivers, or configuration: connect the built-in USB cable, plug in your RS-232 device, and data flows into whatever application is active. See the WedgeLink SP product page for details.
The WedgeLink SP’s baud rate and communication parameters are set at the factory and can’t be changed afterward, so it has to be ordered to match your instrument. Check the serial interface section of your instrument’s user manual for its baud rate, parity, data bits, and stop bits, or contact MicroRidge and we can help confirm the right model.
No. It’s a true plug-and-play device. Plug the built-in 6″ USB cable into your computer, connect your RS-232 instrument, and start taking readings. It uses the USB HID class, so Windows, macOS, and Linux all recognize it without drivers.
No. The WedgeLink SP passes data through as received, within its supported character set. If your instrument’s output needs to be stripped, extracted, or reformatted before it reaches your application, the WedgeLink AT or WedgeLink Standard software wedge are the right tools.
Yes. Because it uses the USB HID keyboard class, the WedgeLink SP works on any USB host that accepts keyboard input, including Windows tablets and enterprise PCs where software installation is restricted.