THORLABS DC4104 User manual

4 Channel LED Driver
DC4104
Operation Manual
2018

Version:
Date:
Item No.:
2.1.0
16-Jul-2018
M0009-510-522
Copyright © 2018 Thorlabs

Foreword
Contents
3
1General Information 4
41.1 Safety
61.2 Ordering Codes and Accessories
61.3 Requirements
61.3.1 Hardware Requirements
61.3.2 Software Requirements
61.3.3 Interface Requirements
2 Installation 7
72.1 Parts List
72.2 Operating Elements
82.3 Preparation
3Operating Instruction 9
93.1 Operation Modes
103.1.1 Constant Current Mode
113.1.2 Brightness Mode
123.1.3 External Control Mode
133.2 Settings and Configuration
133.2.1 User Limit
143.2.2 Settings
153.2.3 About
4Computer Interface 16
164.1 Software Installation
234.2 Driver Installation
234.3 Operating the DC4100 Series remotely
234.3.1 Connecting a Device
244.3.2 Constant Current Mode
254.3.3 Brightness Mode
264.3.4 External Control Mode
264.3.5 User Limit Current
274.3.6 Device Information
284.3.7 Help Menu
5Maintenance and Service 29
295.1 Version Information
295.2 Troubleshooting
6 Appendix 31
316.1 Technical Data
326.2 Trigger Input Cable

336.3 Dimensions
346.4 Command Reference
356.4.1 Set User Current Limit
356.4.2 Get User Current Limit
356.4.3 Set Maximum Current Limit
356.4.4 Get Maximum Current Limit
356.4.5 Set Operation Mode
356.4.6 Get Operation Mode
366.4.7 Set Selection Mode
366.4.8 Get Selection Mode
366.4.9 Set LED OnOff
366.4.10 Get LED OnOff
366.4.11 Set Constant Current
366.4.12 Get Constant Current
376.4.13 Set Percental Brightness
376.4.14 Get Percental Brightness
376.4.15 Set Display Brightness
376.4.16 Get Display Brightness
376.4.17 Get Status Register
376.4.18 Error Message
386.4.19 Identification Query
386.4.20 Revision Query
386.4.21 LED Head Identification Query
386.4.22 Get Wavelength
386.4.23 Get Forward Bias
396.4.24 Status Reporting
406.5 Firmware Update
416.6 Tutorial
436.7 Letter of Volatility
446.8 Certifications and Compliances
456.9 Warranty
466.10Copyright and Exclusion of Reliability
476.11Thorlabs 'End of Life' Policy
486.12 List of Acronyms
496.13 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

© 2018 Thorlabs
We aim to develop and produce the best solution for your application
in the field of optical measurement technique. To help us to live up to
your expectations and improve our products permanently we need
your ideas and suggestions. Therefore, please let us know about
possible criticism or ideas. We and our international partners are
looking forward to hearing from you.
Thorlabs GmbH
Warning
Sections marked by this symbol explain dangers that might result in
personal injury or death. Always read the associated information
carefully, before performing the indicated procedure.
Please read these advices carefully!
This manual also contains "NOTES" and "HINTS" written in this form.
Attention
Paragraphs preceeded by this symbol explain hazards that could
damage the instrument and the connected equipment or may cause
loss of data.
Note
3

© 2018 Thorlabs4
DC4104
1 General Information
The LED driver DC4104 is designed for general purpose LED control. It is a 4 channel LED
driver, which can supply a high current (up to 1 A) for each channel independently to a high-
power LED. This LED driver can also be used to drive the 4 color LED microscope illumination
source LED4Cx Series.
1.1 Safety
Attention
All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this instruction manual
will only apply when the unit is operated correctly as it was designed for.
Before applying power to your DC4104, make sure that the protective conductor of the 3
conductor mains power cord is correctly connected to the protective earth contact of the
socket outlet!
Improper grounding can cause electric shock with damages to your health or even
death!
The DC4104 must not be operated in explosion endangered environments!
The LED head, control inputs and outputs must only be connected with duly shielded
connection cables.
Do not obstruct the air ventilation slots in housing!
Do not remove covers!
Refer servicing to qualified personal!
This precision device is only dispatchable if duly packed into the complete original pack-
aging including the plastic form parts. If necessary, ask for a replacement package.
Mobile telephones, cellular phones or other radio transmitters are not to be used within
the range of three meters of this unit since the electromagnetic field intensity may then
exceed the maximum allowed disturbance values according to IEC 61326-1.
This product has been tested and found to comply with the limits according to IEC
61326-1 for using connection cables shorter than 3 meters (9.8 feet).
Only with written consent from Thorlabs may changes to single components be carried
out or components not supplied by Thorlabs be used.
This precision device is only serviceable if properly packed into the complete original
packaging including the plastic foam sleeves. If necessary, ask for a replacement pack-
age.
Attention
The following statement applies to the products covered in this manual, unless other-
wise specified herein. The statement for other products will appear in the accompanying
documentation.

© 2018 Thorlabs
1 General Information
5
Note
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules and meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Standard ICES-003 for digital apparatus. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residen-
tial installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful in-
terference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment
off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
· Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
· Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
· Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the re-
ceiver is connected.
· Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/T.V. technician for help.
Thorlabs GmbH is not responsible for any radio television interference caused by modi-
fications of this equipment or the substitution or attachment of connecting cables and
equipment other than those specified by Thorlabs GmbH. The correction of interference
caused by such unauthorized modification, substitution or attachment will be the re-
sponsibility of the user.
The use of shielded I/O cables is required when connecting this equipment to any and all
optional peripheral or host devices. Failure to do so may violate FCC and ICES rules.

© 2018 Thorlabs6
DC4104
1.2 Ordering Codes and Accessories
Ordering code Short description
DC4104 DC4104 - 4 Channel LED Driver with 4 external control inputs
DC4100-HUB Distribution Frame to 4 Standard Thorlabs LED Connectors
MxxxL2 Mounted uncollimated LEDs (xxx stands for the wavelength)
MxxxL2-Cx Mounted collimated LEDs (Cx stands for the microscope adapter style)
MxxxF1 Fiber coupled LEDs
LED4C-x 4 Color LED Microscope Illumination Source
Please visit our homepage http://www.thorlabs.com for further information.
1.3 Requirements
1.3.1 Hardware Requirements
CPU: 1 GHz or higher
RAM: 256 MB
Graphic card with at least 32 MB memory
Hard disc with at least 100 MB free storage space
Free USB2.0 port
USB cable according the USB 2.0 specification
1.3.2 Software Requirements
The DC4104 software is compatible with the following operating systems:
· Windows ® XP (32-bit) SP3
· Windows ® Vista (32-bit, 64-bit)
· Windows ® 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
For operation of the DC4104, also an NI-VISA™ (version 5.1.1 or higher) is required. This NI-
VISA™ engine comes with the Thorlabs DC4104 installation CD, but can be downloaded also
from National Instruments' website www.ni.com.
1.3.3 Interface Requirements
USB 2.0 high speed port (USB 1.1 full speed port is also usable)

© 2018 Thorlabs
2 Installation
7
2 Installation
2.1 Parts List
Inspect the shipping container for damage.
If the shipping container seems to be damaged, keep it until you have inspected the contents
and you have inspected the DC4104 mechanically and electrically.
Verify that you have received the following items within the package:
· 1 DC4104
· 1 Power cord, connector according to ordering country
· 1 Power supply ETC70-12 (12V / 5.5A)
· 1 USB cable
· 1 trigger cable with 8pin Push-Pull female connector and open wiring on the other end
· 1 Operation manual
· 1 Applications and Driver CD
2.2 Operating Elements
Operating elements on the front panel
Operating elements on the rear panel

© 2018 Thorlabs8
DC4104
2.3 Preparation
1. Connect the LED4C-x cable with socket labeled 'LED' at the back of the main control unit.
2. Alternatively, a DC4100-HUB can also be connected to this socket. It is then possible to
drive up to 4 LEDs via the standard Thorlabs LED connector (e.g. MxxxL2, MxxxL2-Cx
series), see figure below.
3. Connect power supply cable with main control unit, use only the power supply supplied with
your DC4104 unit.
4. Plug in power supply.
5. Turn the unit on by pressing the power switch on the rear side of the unit.
6. After the device is powered up, the graphics display will show a 'Welcome' screen for a few
seconds.
7. The DC4104 is immediately ready to use after turning on. The rated accuracy is reached,
however, after a warming-up period of approximately 10 minutes.