Using GT Weighbridge Digital Interface Over Windows Terminal Server

Background:

Most digital weighbridge scales can provide a secondary output data stream for use by third-party programs or equipment. GT Weighbridge can make use of this stream to provide a Capture feature, where the current weight can be captured into the Weighbridge program with the click of a mouse, eliminating typing errors and making the data entry process faster. The data stream conforms to a standard serial data format known as RS232C.

Note:

• Your weighbridge technicians may need to implement the external data stream feature in your scale indicator and provide an appropriate Serial Data cable to connect to your weighbridge computer. CDA Software cannot do this for you.
• If your weighbridge computer does not have an unused physical Serial Port you will need to purchase a suitable USB-to-Serial data converter adaptor or cable. If your computer does not have a spare USB connector either you will need to look at other alternatives, such as replacing the computer or installing additional USB ports.
• GT Weighbridge already supports the most-common scale data formats. If your scale's format is not yet supported we will liaise with your scale technicians to include it. We will charge you for the time involved in working on including a new format. Although we haven't yet encountered a format we couldn't include, we can give no guarantee of success with formats we haven't yet investigated.
• Some minor configuration changes may be required at both your Windows Server and the weighbridge computer. Your IT support person may need to implement these changes, or you may need to login as Administrator to perform them yourself.

Implementation:

1. At the Windows Server, COM port mapping must be enabled as follows:
   • On Windows Server 2008 64-bit: from the Start menu select Administrative Tools | Remote Desktop Services | Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration. On the Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration window under Connections, right-click the connection and select Properties, or just double-click the connection. On the Client Setting tab of the RDP-Tcp window, ensure Com Port is unticked.
   • On other versions of Windows Server: from the Start menu select Administrative Tools | Terminal Services Configuration. In the Connections panel, right-click the connection and select Properties, or just double-click the connection. On the Client Setting tab of the RDP-Tcp window, ensure Com port mapping is unticked.
2. At the weighbridge computer, COM port redirection must be enabled. When your Remote Desktop Connnection was set up, probably by your IT support person, an icon would usually have been placed on the workstation's local desktop. Double-clicking this icon would then initiate a Remote Desktop connection to the Terminal Server. If this is not the case at your weighbridge contact your IT support person for advice or assistance. When you have located the icon, right-click it and select Edit from the popup menu. On the Local Resources tab, under Local devices and resources click More... and ensure the Ports checkbox is ticked.
3. If you are using a USB-to-Serial adaptor or cable on the weighbridge computer you will probably need to reassign the Port Number assigned by Windows to the new "virtual" serial port. Such adaptors are typically assigned a Port Number greater than 4, but Terminal Services can only map ports 1 through 4. If this is the case, at the weighbridge computer from the Start menu - Control Panel select Device Manager. On the Device Manager window, expand the Ports (COM & LPT) branch. Select the name of the adaptor you have installed and double-click it, or right-click and select Properties from the popup menu. On the Port Settings tab click Advanced. On the Advanced Settings window locate the drop-down box showing the assigned COM Port Number and select an available Port in the range COM1 through COM4. Note: Notwithstanding the above, you may need to use some trial-and-error in selecting a port that your Terminal Server recognises.
4. After opening a Remote Desktop session to the Terminal Server, run GT Weighbridge in the Terminal Server window. Select the Tools | Admin | Options menu. (If Options is greyed-out, click the Cancel button and try again.) On the Digital Interface tab, tick the checkbox Enable digital interface to weighbridge and select the appropriate Format from the drop-down list. In the Port settings panel select the Comm. Port from the drop-down list. If you have a physical port (probably COM1 or COM2) use that. If you are using a USB-to-Serial converter use the Port Number determined in step (3) above. Select the other options in this panel as advised by your scale technicians, then click OK.

Your digital interface should now be working. To test it, drive a vehicle onto the weighbridge and note whether the small Capture window on the computer displays the same weight as the digital scale indicator. If it does not, check all the steps above, especially point (3) if you are using a USB-to-serial converter. You may need to try a different Port Number.

If after following the above you still cannot get the interface working please contact CDA support personnel for assitance.