THORLABS DC4100 User manual

4 Channel LED Driver
DC4100
Operation Manual
2022

Version:
Date: 2.2 31-Jan-2022
Copyright © 2022 Thorlabs

Foreword
Contents
1 General Information 1
11.1 Ordering Codes and Accessories 21.2 Supported Thorlabs LEDs 21.3 Requirements 21.3.1 Hardware Requirements 21.3.2 Software Requirements
2 Getting Started 3
32.1 Parts List 32.2 Preparation
3 Operating Instructions 4
53.1 Operating Elements 53.2 Operation Modes 53.2.1 Constant Current Mode 63.2.2 Brightness Mode 83.2.3 External Control Mode 83.3 Settings and Configuration 93.3.1 User Limit 103.3.2 Settings 103.3.3 About
4 Computer Interface 11
114.1 Software Installation 124.2 Firmware Update 134.3 Driver Installation 134.4 Operating the DC4100 Series remotely 134.4.1 Connecting a Device 144.4.2 Constant Current Mode 154.4.3 Brightness Mode 164.4.4 External Control Mode 164.4.5 User Limit Current 174.4.6 Device Information 184.4.7 Help Menu
5 Maintenance and Service 19
195.1 Version Information 195.2 Troubleshooting
6 Appendix 21
216.1 Technical Data 226.2 Dimensions

236.3 Command Reference 246.3.1 Set User Current Limit 246.3.2 Get User Current Limit 246.3.3 Set Maximum Current Limit 246.3.4 Get Maximum Current Limit 246.3.5 Set Operation Mode 246.3.6 Get Operation Mode 256.3.7 Set Selection Mode 256.3.8 Get Selection Mode 256.3.9 Set LED OnOff 256.3.10 Get LED OnOff 256.3.11 Set Constant Current 256.3.12 Get Constant Current 266.3.13 Set Percental Brightness 266.3.14 Get Percental Brightness 266.3.15 Set Display Brightness 266.3.16 Get Display Brightness 266.3.17 Get Status Register 266.3.18 Error Message 276.3.19 Identification Query 276.3.20 Revision Query 276.3.21 LED Head Identification Query 276.3.22 Get Wavelength 276.3.23 Get Forward Bias 286.3.24 Status Reporting 296.4 Safety 306.5 Return of Devices 306.6 Manufacturer Address 306.7 Warranty 306.8 Copyright and Exclusion of Liability 316.9 Certifications and Compliances 326.10List of Acronyms 336.11Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

© 2022 Thorlabs
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applications in the field of optical measurement techniques. To help
us to live up to your expectations and constantly improve our
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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 this advice carefully!
This manual also contains "NOTES" and "HINTS" written in this form.
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Note

Page 1 20442_D02
DC4100 1 General Information
1 General Information
Thorlabs' DC4100 four-channel LED controller is designed for microscopy and other applica-
tions that require multiple color channels. It is the ideal driver for the LED4D series of four-
wavelength LED sources. Via the optional DC4100-HUB, it can concurrently drive 4 LEDs like
the Thorlabs collimated or uncollimated mounted LEDs . Using the DC4100-HUB connector
hub and 4 CAB-LEDD1 connection cables, the driver can also be used with 4 Thorlabs LEDs
on metal-core PCB or with 4 user-supplied LEDs. The LED current of each channel can be ad-
justed independently from 0 to 1000 mA or modulated via an external voltage.
The DC4100 can be operated in constant current mode (setting the LED current in mA), bright-
ness mode (setting the LED as a percentage of its maximum current) or external control mode,
applying modulation through an external signal generator.
Additionally, the LED driver can be operated remotely via the USB 2.0 interface by the DC410x
software package. The LED drivers are also compatible with µManager, a versatile, open
source, GUI software platform for automated microscopy. A plugin allows the user to control the
LED drivers right out of the box.
The DC4100 controls all activated LEDs by the same modulation signal while each LED can be
individually deactivated. The controller accepts voltages ranging from 0 to 10 V, with 1 V corre-
sponding to an LED current of 100 mA.
1.1 Ordering Codes and Accessories
DC4100
4 Channel LED Driver for Thorlabs LED4D Series Four-Wavelength LED
Sources with 12V Power Supply and USB 2.0 Cable. Simultaneous Mod-
ulation of up to 4 Activated LEDs. Driver for Individual Supported
LEDs Using the DC4100-HUB.
Optional Accessories:
LED4Dxxx
4-Wavelength High-Power LED Source.
DC4100-HUB
Hub to Connect to DC4100 in Order to Control up to 4 Thorlabs Suppor-
ted LEDs with M8 x 1 Circular Connector.
PCB Mounted LEDs
(MxxxDy)
These LEDs Require Attachment via an CAB-LEDD1 Cable to the
DC4001-HUB, Connected to the DC4100.
Mounted LEDs
(MxxxLy, MxxxLPy)
These LEDs Require Attachment to the DC4100 via the DC4001-HUB.
Fiber Coupled LEDs
(MxxxFy, MxxxFPy)
These LEDs Require Attachment to the DC4100 via the DC4001-HUB.
Collimated LEDs
(MxxxLy-Cz,
MxxxLPy-Cz)
These LEDs Require Attachment to the DC4100 via the DC4001-HUB.
Please visit our homepage http://www.thorlabs.com for further information.
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Rev: 2.2, 31-Jan-2022 © 2022 Thorlabs Page 2
DC4100 1 General Information
1.2 Supported Thorlabs LEDs
The following types of Thorlabs LEDs are compatible with the DC4100-HUB, which can be at-
tached to the DC4100:
·PCB Mounted LEDs
oMxxxDy
These LEDs require attachment via the CAB-LEDD1 cable.
·Mounted LEDs
oMxxxLy
oMxxxLPy
·Fiber Coupled LEDs
oMxxxFy
oMxxxFPy
·Collimated LEDs
oMxxxLy-Cz
oMxxxLPy-Cz
1.3 Requirements
1.3.1 Hardware Requirements
·Processor (CPU): 1 GHz or higher
·Memory (RAM): 256 MB
·Graphic Card with at least 32 MB memory
·Hard Drive: Min. 100 MB of available disk space
·Interface: Free USB 2.0 port
1.3.2 Software Requirements
The DC4100 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)
·Windows ®10 (32-bit, 64-bit)
For operation of the DC4100, also an NI-VISA™ (version 5.1.1 or higher) is required. This NI-
VISA™ engine comes with the installation package in the download, but can also be down-
loaded also from National Instruments' website www.ni.com.

Page 3 20442_D02
DC4100 2 Getting Started
2 Getting Started
2.1 Parts List
Please inspect the shipping container for damage. Please do not cut through the cardboard, as
the box might be needed for storage or returns.
If the shipping container appears to be damaged, keep it until you have inspected the contents
for completeness and tested the DC4100 mechanically and electrically.
Verify that you have received the following items within the package:
1. DC4100 LED Driver
2. Power Supply (12V / 5.5A)
3. Power Cord, Connector According to Ordering Country
4. USB 2.0 Cable
5. Quick Reference
2.2 Preparation
1. Connect the cable from the LED4Dxxx four-color light source to the socket labeled 'LED' at
the back of the main control unit.
2. Alternatively, a DC4100-HUB can be connected to this socket. This allows to drive up to 4 of
the supported LEDs via the standard Thorlabs LED connector. Please see the figure be-
low. For PCB mounted LEDs, please use the CAB-LEDD1 adapter cable.
3. Connect the power supply cable to the main control unit. Please use only the power supply
which is included in the shipment of the DC4100 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 rated accuracy of the DC4100 is reached after a warm-up period of approximately 10
minutes.
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Rev: 2.2, 31-Jan-2022 © 2022 Thorlabs Page 4
DC4100 3 Operating Instructions
3 Operating Instructions
The DC4100 can be ontroled directly ont he device or remotely via the DC41xx software.
In the device, the DC4100 is controlled by three buttons and the multi-control knob on the front
panel. Please see the chapter Operating Elements . The two buttons below the graphics dis-
play have an Escape and Enter (OK) functionality. The 'LED' Button is used to switch LED(s)
on or off. The multi-control is used to select the desired menu or to change the settings.
After switching on the DC4100 a 'Welcome' screen appears for a few seconds.
In case no LED head is connected you will be prompted to switch off the main unit, connect the
LED head and switch on the device.
The display will show the screen of one of the three LED operation modes (Constant Current,
Brightness or External Control Mode). The 'Main Menu' can be accessed via the 'ESC' button.
To select an operation mode or a configuration display the multi-control knob is used. Press the
'Ok' button to enter the selected item.
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DC4100 3 Operating Instructions
3.1 Operating Elements
Operating elements on the front panel
Operating elements on the rear panel
3.2 Operation Modes
For safety reasons the LED can be switched on only if one of the three operation modes (Con-
stant Current, Brightness or External Control) is selected.
It is possible to leave the active mode when the LED is switched on and enter the main menu.
However, the LED needs to be switched off before you can enter another operation mode. This
can be done while the main menu is selected by pressing the LED button.
The last selected operation mode will be saved. After switching on the DC4100 again this oper-
ation mode will be automatically restored. All settings are saved and validated after a shut off.
3.2.1 Constant Current Mode
The 'Constant Current Mode' provides a constant non-modulated LED current.
The actual current for each channel is displayed. If you connected a supported Thorlabs
LED (features and EEPROM) or the 4 Color LED LED4Dx, the corresponding wavelength
will be displayed instead of the channel number. There are two different output modes, 'Single
Selection' and 'Multi Selection'. The output mode can be selected in the 'Setting' menu (see
Settings) .
The 'Multi Selection Mode' is illustrated by square indicators. More than one LED at a time can
be switched on. This is indicated by the check mark in the square box.
The 'Single Selection Mode' features circles as output indicators, which are filled with a dot
when the LED is on. Only one LED at a time can be switched on within this mode. This eases
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