A&D GX-1603A Use and care manual

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 1 / 41
GX-A Series / GF-A Series Communication Manual
En Ver. 1.01

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 2 / 41
1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
1-1. Applicable models ……………………………………………………………………………. 3
1-2. Features of the communication function………………………………………………….………. 3
2. Interface specifications………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
2-1. RS-232C ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
2-2. USB ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
3. Connection diagrams………………………………………,,………………………………………………. 6
3-1. Connecting the balance to the printer ……………………………………………………………. 6
3-2. Connecting the balance to the external display unit……………………………………………. 6
3-3. Connecting the balance to a PC or a PLC………………………………………………………… 7
4. Connecting to the printer …………………………………………………………………………………. 10
5. Connecting to the external display unit ………………………………,……………………………….. 11
6.Connecting to a PC or a PLC ………………………………………………,…………………………….. 12
6-1. Quick USB mode ………………………………………………………………………………. 12
6-2. Virtual COM mode ……………………………………………………,…………………………… 12
6-3. RS-232C ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
6-4. Data transmission software WinCT……………………………………………………….……… 13
7. Data output………………………………………………………………………,………………………….. 14
7-1. Data output mode…………………………………………………………………………………… 14
7-2. Weighing data format …………………………………………………………………………… 16
7-3. Output examples of weighing data format …………………………………………………….. 19
7-4. Other data formats ………………………………………………………………………… 20
8. Commands …………………………………………………………………………………………… 21
8-1. Control commands ………………………………………………………………………………… 21
8-2. The <AK> code and error codes ………………………………………………………………. 24
8-3. Command usage examples ….…………………………………………………………………….. 25
9. Error codes ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30
9-1. Error codes list ………………………………………………………………………………….. 30
10. The UFC function……………………………………………………………..…………………………... 32
10-1.UFC program commands …………………………………………….…………………………… 32
10-2. Examples of creating UFC program commands……………………………………………… 34
11. Internal settings ………………………………………………………………………………………… 35
11-1. How to set…………………………………………………………………………………………… 35
11-2. List of items（communication entries only）……………………………………………….. 37
Table of Contents

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 3 / 41
This communication manual is a supplementary instruction manual for connecting the balance to
peripheral devices such as PCs and printers through the use of its communication function.
Models to which this the contents of this communication manual is applicable are as follows.
□ GX-A Series
GX-1603A, GX-1003A, GX-603A, GX-403A, GX-303A, GX-203A
GX-10002A, GX-6002A, GX-4002A, GX-3002A, GX-2002A
GX-10001A, GX-6001A
□ GF-A Series
GF-1603A, GF-1003A, GF-603A, GF-403A, GF-303A, GF-203A
GF-10002A, GF-6002A, GF-4002A, GF-3002A, GF-2002A
GF-10001A, GF-6001A
□ The RS-232C interface is provided as standard, enabling communication similar to conventional
balances.
□ A USB interface is provided as standard and you can select between a quick USB for inputting
the weighing result directly into the PC software or bidirectional communication using a virtual
COM port.
□ By using the GXA-03: RS-232 C interface isolation type, which is a specialized option, an
RS-232C interface can be added.
1-2. Features of the communication function
1. Introduction
1-1. Applicable models

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 4 / 41
Connector: D-Sub9-pin（male）
Method of transmission: EIA RS-232C
Format of transmission: Asynchronous, two-way, half-duplex transmission
Data transmission rate: 5 times per second（ca. 5.21Hz）, 10times per second（ca. 10.42Hz）、
20 times per second（ca. 20.83Hz）
Linked with the setting value of the internal setting’s display rewrite cycle
Signal format Baud rate 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400 bps
Data bits 7 or 8 bits
Parity EVEN、ODD （Data length 7 bits）
NONE （Data length 8 bits）
Stop bits 1 bit
Code ASCII
Format of 1 character
D-Sub9, pin arrangement
Pin No. Signal
name
Direction Meaning, remarks
1 - - N.C. (same potential
with SG)
2 RXD Output Transmitted data
3 TXD Input Received data
4 - - N.C.
5 SG - Signal ground
6 DSR Output Data Set Ready
7 RTS Input Request to Send
8 CTS Output Clear to Send
9 - Output N.C. (12V Output)
Connection diagram（when connecting to a PC）
2. Interface specifications
2-1. RS-232C
0 1 2
LSB
3546P
MSB
SpSt
Start bit Data bits
Parity bit
Stop bit
0 +5V ~ +15V
1 -5V ~ -15V
Balance（DCE）
RXD
TXD
RTS
CTS
DSR
SG
PC（DTE）
RXD
TXD
RTS
CTS
DSR
SG
Inch screw #4-40UNC
12345
678
9

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 5 / 41
Connector: miniB（female）
Standard: USB 2.0
Device class: HID（Human interface device）：Quick USB
CDC（Communication device class）：Virtual COM
miniB, pin arrangement
Pin No. Signal
name
Direction Meaning, remarks
1 VBUS Input Power (connection
confirmation)
2 D- - Data transmission
and reception
3 D+ - Data transmission
and reception
4 ID - N.C.
5 GND - Signal ground
2-2. USB
12345

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 6 / 41
It is possible to connect the balance to peripheral devices, PCs, PLCs, etc. by using the RS-232C
connector and the USB miniB connector which are provided as standard with the balance.
To print the weighing result measured with the balance on paper, connect a specialized balance
printer (e.g. AD-8127 Compact Printer) to the device.
□ Connect the balance with the printer using the RS-232C cable.
For settings when connecting the balance to the printer, refer to section 4, “Connecting to the
printer”.
When confirming the weighing values or operating the balance with keys remotely, connect the
specialized external display unit to the balance. The specialized external display unit consists of the
external display unit AD-8920A (display only) and the external controller AD-8922A.
□ Connect the balance to the external display unit using the RS - 232C cable.
For settings when connecting the balance and the external display unit, refer to section
5, ”Connecting to the external display unit".
3. Connection diagrams
3-1. Connecting the balance to a printer
3-2. Connecting the balance to an external display unit
RS-232C
RS-232C
Balance Printer
Balance External display unit

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 7 / 41
□ When connecting the balance to an external display unit and a printer, connect the balance
with the external display unit (external controller AD-8922A only) with a RS-232C cable and
connect the external display unit and the printer with a RS-232C cable.
When converting the weighing values of the balance into electronic data or when remotely
controlling the balance, connect it to a PC or a PLC.
□ Connect the balance to a PC using a USB or an RS-232C cable.
□ Connect the balance to a PLC using a RS-232C cable.
3-3. Connecting the balance to a PC or a PLC
RS-232C RS-232C
Balance External display unit Printer
Balance
USB
or
RS-232C
PC
PLC
RS-232C
Balance

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 8 / 41
□ When connecting the balance to a PC and a printer, connect the balance to the PC with a USB
cable and connect the balance to the printer with an RS-232C cable.
□ When connecting the balance to a PC and to the external display unit, connect the balance to the
PC with a USB cable and connect the balance to the printer with an RS-232C cable.
Balance
USB
PC
RS-232C
Printer
External display unit
USB
PC
RS-232C
Balance

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 9 / 41
□ When connecting the balance with a PLC and the printer or the external display unit, in both
cases you must use RS-232C cables. When the balance is equipped with the GXA–03 special
option (2nd RS-232C cable, insulated type), connect the PLC with a cable to the RS-232C
connector of the GXA-03, and connect the printer or the external indicator unit with a cable to
the standard RS-232C connector of the balance.
Balance + GXA-03
PLC
Printer
RS-232C
（Insulated t
yp
e）
RS-232C
（Standard）
Balance + GXA-03
RS-232C
（Insulated type）
RS-232C
（Standard）
PLC
External display unit

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 10 / 41
When connecting the printer to the balance for printing measured values, configure the printer and
the balance as follows according to these usage examples.
Internal settings of the printer
Usage example AD-8127
Compact printer
Printing mode settings
When printing values measured by
the balance with the balance’s PRINT
key or its “Auto-print” mode.
EXT.KEY
When printing values measured by
the balance with the printer’s
“Printing” key or its timer mode.
When printing charts with the
printer.
MANUAL
AUTO
TIMER
CHART
When printing the balance’s
statistical calculation results.
When printing the balance’s GLP
data output.
DUMP
□ Refer to the instruction manual of the AD-8127 for how to change internal settings of the
AD-8127 compact printer.
Internal settings of the balance
Usage example Balance
Connection
destination
Balance
Data output
mode
Balance
Data format
When printing values measured by
the balance with the balance’s PRINT
key or its “Auto-print” mode.
1 0, 1, 2, 4, 5 0
When printing values measured by
the balance with the printer’s
“Printing” key or while in its timer
mode.
When printing charts with the
printer.
1 3, 6 0
When printing the balance’s
statistical calculation results.
When printing the balance’s GLP
data output.
1 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 1
4. Connecting to the printer

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 11 / 41
When connecting the external display unit to the balance, configure the external display unit and
the balance as follows according to these usage examples.
Internal settings of the external display unit and the balance
Usage example AD-8920A
Remote
Display
AD-8922A
Remote
Controller
Output mode
Balance
Connection
destination
When only displaying the balance’s
display value on the external display
unit.
No setting 0, 1, 2 2
When printing with the PRINT key of
the external display unit with the
printer connected to it
1, 2 2
When printing with the printer’s
“Printing” key or while in its timer
mode with the printer connected to
the external display unit.
When printing charts with the
printer.
0 2
□ Refer to the instruction manual of the AD-8922A for how to change internal settings of the
AD-8922A remote controller.
5. Connecting to the external display unit

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 12 / 41
The quick USB mode is a function used to connect the balance with the PC using a USB cable to
directly input the output data of the balance into PC software such as Excel or Word. Windows XP
or later is supported.
Since the balance uses a standard Windows driver (HID), no installation of a special driver is
necessary and communication is possible just by connecting the balance to a PC.
Caution
□ Quick USB is a one-way communication from the balance to the PC. It is not possible to send
control commands from the PC to the balance.
□ Turn off the PC’s screen saver and stand-by modes.
About internal settings
□ With the internal setting of （Quick USB ALL）all data is output including the header
and units of the weighing data according to the output data format set in the internal setting
(USB data format).
□ With the internal setting of （Quick USB NU）only the weighing data values are
output.
Operating instructions (when sending weighing data using the balance's PRINT key)
1. Set the internal setting of the balance to (Quick USB ALL) or to (Quick USB NU).
2. Connect the balance to a PC with the supplied USB cable.
3. When connecting for the first time, the PC will automatically start installing the driver.
4. Start up PC software (Excel, etc.) for transmitting the weighing data.
5. Set the keyboard input mode to half-width characters[A1]. In case of full-width setting activated
the data will not be input correctly.
6. Move the cursor to the place you want to input the weighing data.
7. When you press the PRINT key on the balance, weighing data will be transmitted from the
balance and input at the location of the cursor.
8. Disconnect the USB cable when finished.
Virtual COM mode is a function used to connect the balance with the supplied USB cable and create
a COM port on the PC side for bidirectional communication. Windows XP or later is supported.
Except for Windows 10, when using for the first time, you need to install a special driver on the PC.
For details on how to install the driver, please refer to "Installing the driver for the GX-A / GF-A
series USB interface "Virtual COM mode" on our website (http://www.aandd.co.jp).
About internal settings
□ When using Virtual COM mode, please put the balance’s internal setting to
( bidirectional USB virtual COM).
6. Connecting to a PC or a PLC
6-1. Quick USB mode
6-2. Virtual COM mode

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 13 / 41
The RS-232C interface of the balance is the DCE (Data Communication Equipment) that can be
connected to a PC. The RS-232C cable used for connection is the straight type. If there is no
RS-232C connector on the PC, please connect in USB Virtual COM mode.
When a PC is connected through a USB connection in virtual COM mode or with a RS-232C cable,
weighing data can be easily received by the PC with the use of the WinCT data communication
software for Windows. WinCT can be downloaded from our website (http://www.aandd.co.jp). Please
refer to "WinCT setup procedures" and "WinCT operation manual" on our website
(http://www.aandd.co.jp) for installation and setup.
There are 3 applications in WinCT: RsCom, RsKey and RsWeight.
RsCom
□You can control the balance by sending a command to it.
□Received data can be displayed and saved as a text file (.txt).
□By executing the software multiple times, you can communicate with multiple balances.
□It can be executed simultaneously with other applications. (Does not exclusively occupy the PC)
□GLP output data can also be received from the balance.
RsKey
□Weighing data from the balance can be input directly into another applications.
□If input by keyboard (e.g. with Word or Excel) is possible, the type of application does not matter.
□GLP output data from the balance can also be input.
□The PC can be made into an external display for the balance through the use of the test display
function.
RsWeight
□Received data can be graphed in real time.
□Parameters of received data such as maximum value, minimum value, average value, standard
deviation, coefficient of variation, etc. can be calculated and displayed.
6-3. RS-232C
6-4. WinCT data transmission software（USB Virtual COM mode or RS-232C）

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 14 / 41
As for the balance’s data output timing, it can be changed with the internal setting (data
output mode).
Key mode Internal setting
If the PRINT key is pressed when the stable value mark is displayed, the weighing value will be
output once.
At that time the displayed weighing value will blink once to indicate that it had been output.
Auto print A mode Internal setting
When the weighing value exceeds the range specified by the internal setting (auto print
polarity) and the internal setting (auto print width) from the standard "zero display" and the
stable value mark is on, the weighing value will be output once. Also, if the PRINT key is pressed
while the stable value mark is on, the weighing value will be output once.
At that time the displayed weighing value will blink once to indicate that it had been output.
Related internal settings
Auto print polarity
Auto print width
Auto print B mode Internal setting
When the weighing value exceeds the range specified by the internal setting (auto print
polarity) and the internal setting (auto print width) from the standard "value previously
displayed with a stable value mark" and the stable value mark is on, the weighing value will be
output once. Also, if the PRINT key is pressed while the stable value mark is on, the weighing value
will be output once. At that time the displayed weighing value will blink once to indicate that it had
been output.
Related internal settings
Auto print polarity
Auto print width
Stream mode Internal setting
Regardless of the presence or absence of the stable value mark, weighing value will be output for
each internal setting (display rewrite cycle). When the internal setting is (5 times /
sec), the output is at approximately 5.21 Hz.
Related internal settings
Display rewrite cycle
Baudrate
Caution
□ Depending on the display rewrite cycle and the baud rate, all data may not be transmitted
unless the baud rate is increased.
7. Data output
7-1. Data output mode

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 15 / 41
Key mode B mode Internal setting
Regardless of the presence or absence of the stable value mark, when the PRINT key is pressed, the
weighing value will be output once.
At that time the displayed weighing value will blink once to indicate that it had been output.
Key mode C mode Internal setting
When the PRINT key is pressed and the stable value mark is displayed, the weighing value will be
output once. In case the stable value mark is not displayed, the weighing value will be output once
the stable value mark is displayed next time.
At that time the displayed weighing value will blink once to indicate that it had been output.
Interval mode Internal setting
Regardless of the presence or absence of the stable value mark, values will be output at an interval
of the internal setting (interval time). By pressing the PRINT key data output is started and
stopped by pressing it again during the data output.
Related internal settings
Interval time
Baudrate
Caution
□ Depending on the interval time and the baud rate, all data may not be transmitted unless the
baud rate is increased.

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 16 / 41
As for the balance’s weighing data output, for USB it can be changed by the internal setting U-tP
(USB data format) and for RS-232C – by the internal setting (data format).
Standard format A&D RS-232C connection：internal setting
USB setting：internal setting
□ This is the standard format for sending data to peripheral devices.
□ Consists of 15 characters (excluding the terminator).
□ The condition of the data is indicated with a 2-character header.
□ The data is padded with polarity and zeros (filling the data’s higher order’s surplus part with
zeros).
□ If the data is zero, the polarity is positive.
□ The unit consists of three characters.
□ Printing pattern of the AD-8127 compact printer is as follows:
DP format（Dump print）RS-232C connection：internal setting
USB connection：no function
□ This format is suitable for dump printing.
□ Consists of 16 characters (excluding the terminator).
□ The condition of the data is indicated with a 2-character header.
□ The polarity sign is added right before the data if the data is not overloaded or zero.
□ The data is zero-suppressed (leading zeros are replaced with spaces).
□ The unit consists of three characters.
7-2. Weighing data format
S T , + 00 1 2 3.45__gCR LF
Header Data Unit Terminator
S T
U S
Q T
O L
When stable
When unstable
Counting mode when stable
When overloaded
WT, +1234.56 g
_means “space”
W T _ __ + 1 23.45__gCR LF
Heade Data Unit Terminator
W T When stable _means “space”
U S When unstable
Q T Counting mode when stable
_
<CR> is the ASCII:0Dh code
<LF> is the ASCII:0Ah code

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 17 / 41
KF format RS-232C connection：internal setting
USB connection：no function
□ This is the Karl-Fischer moisture meter format.
□ Consists of 14 characters (excluding the terminator).
□ Has no header characters.
□ The polarity sign (1 character) is placed before the data if the data is not overloaded or zero.
□ The data is zero-suppressed (leading zeros are replaced with spaces).
□ When stable, the unit is output. When not stable, the unit is not output.
MT format RS-232C connection：internal setting
USB connection：no function
□ Used when connecting to devices manufactured by other companies. However, there is no
guarantee of compatibility.
□ The length of data depends on the length of the unit
□ Has a 2-character header.
□ The data is zero-suppressed (leading zeros are replaced with spaces).
NU format RS-232C connection：internal setting
USBsetting：internal setting
□ This format outputs only numerical data.
□ Consists of 9 characters (excluding the terminator).
□ The data is padded with polarity and zeros (filling the data’s higher order’s surplus part with
zeros).
□ If the data is zero, the polarity is positive.
+ _ _ _ 12 3 . 4 5 _ _g CR LF
Data Unit Terminator
_ means “space”
_
_ _g_ _ ___
S _ __ 1 2 3 . 4 5_ _ gCR LF
Data Unit Terminator
_
Header
With the unit when stable
No unit when unstable
S _ When stable（Output with a command）
S D When unstable（Output with a command）
S I When overloaded
_means “space”
_ _ When stable（Output with the PRINT key）
_ D When unstable（Output with the PRINT key）
+ 0 0 1 23 . 4 5CR LF
Data Terminator

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 18 / 41
CSVformat RS-232Cconnection：internal setting
USBconnection：internal setting
□ Separates the data of A&D standard format and the unit by a comma (,).
□ Outputs the unit even when the data is overloaded.
□ When the decimal point is set to comma (,), semicolon (;) will be used as the separator.
□ When other data is added to the weighing value, all data will be displayed in one line.
The display sample will be as follows if the ID number, data number, date and time are added.
TAB format RS-232C connection：no function
USB connection：internal setting
□ This is a format, in which the separator of the CSV format is changed from comma to TAB.
S T , + 00 1 2 3 . 4 5 _ _ g CR LF,
SAMPLE-0123-4,No,012,2017/07/01,12:34:56,ST,+00123.45, g
ID
number
Data number Date Time Weighing
data
TABS T + 00 1 2 3 . 4 5 _ _ g CR LFTAB
<TAB> is the ASCII:09h code

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 19 / 41
When stable
When unstable
When overloaded
（plus）
When overloaded
（minus）
7-3. Output examples of weighing data format
S T , + 0 3 142.06__gCR LF
W T _ _ + 3142.06__g CR LF_
+ _ _ 3 1 4 2 . 0 5 _ _g CR LF_
S _ _ 3 1 4 2 . 0 6_ _ gCR LF_
+ 0 3 1 4 2 . 0 6 CR LF
A
&D
DP
KF
MT
NU
U S , - 0 0 295.87__gCR LF
U S _ _ -295.87__g CR LF_
- _ _ _ 2 9 5 . 8 7 _ __ CR LF_
S D _ - 2 9 5 . 8 7_ _ gCR LF_
- 0 0 2 9 5 . 8 7 CR LF
A
&D
DP
KF
MT
NU
O L , + 9 9 99999E+19CR LF
_ _ _ _ _ __E_______ CR LF_
_ _ _ _ _ _ H _ _ _ _ __ CR LF_
S I + CR LF
+ 9 9 9 9 9 999CR LF
A
&D
DP
KF
MT
NU
O L , - 9 9 99999E+19CR LF
_ _ _ _ _ _-E_______ CR LF_
_ _ _ _ _ _ L___ ___ CR LF_
S I - CR LF
- 9 9 9 9 9 999CR LF
A
&D
DP
KF
MT
NU

GX-A Series/GF-A Series Communication Manual 20 / 41
In addition to weighing data, other data can be added. Switch each internal setting on / off as
necessary.
Data number Internal setting
□ When the data memory function is used, the data number is output.
□ Consists of 6 characters (excluding the terminator).
ID number Internal setting
□ The ID number stored in the balance is output.
□ Consists of 13 characters (excluding the terminator).
Date Internal setting or
□ The date is output from the clock data of the balance.
□ The order of YYYY／MM／DD can be changed in settings.
□ Consists of 10 characters (excluding the terminator).
Time Internal setting or
□ The time is output from the clock data of the balance.
□ 24-hour format.
□ Consists of 8 characters (excluding the terminator).
7-4. Other data formats
N o . 0 01 CR LF
Data
number
Terminator
2 0 1 7 /1 2 / 3CR LF
Date Terminator
1
1 2 : 3 4: 5 6 CR LF
Time Terminator
S A M P LE - 0 1CR LF
ID number Terminator
2 3 - 4