DI–4718B Series Hardware Manual
Instrument Controls, Indicators, and Connections
17
Control Button
The Control Button can be used to stop or start recording data to your memory card (SD) when using the instrument
as a stand-alone data logger. The Control Button can also be used to reconfigure the instrument to factory default set-
tings and to re-format memory card files left open due to power failure or other circumstance. The Control Button is
inoperable while running W
IN
D
AQ
Acquisition software. See “Control Button Operations” on page 17 for operations.
Control Button Operations
The Control Button can be used to stop or start recording data to the USB thumb drive when using the instrument as a
stand-alone data logger. The Control Button can also be used to reconfigure the instrument to factory default settings.
The Control Button can also be used to create an instantaneous event marker when running W
IN
D
AQ
Acquisition
software.
Record Data to USB Thumb Drive
Record data to an installed USB thumb drive. The device must be in Idle mode and set for USB Drive (mode LED
must be flashing Green/Yellow). After the button is pressed, the mode LED will flash Blue/Green or Blue/Cyan to
indicate it is in a recording mode.
Stop Recording to USB Thumb Drive
Manually stop recording to the USB thumb drive (when the mode LED is flashing Blue/Green, Blue/Cyan, or Blue/
Magenta). After the button is pressed the mode LED witll flash Green/Yellow to indicate Idle.
Fix Errors
The Control Button can also be used to fix some common operating errors. When the instrument is in Error mode
(mode LED is solid red), some action must be taken to fix the error before you can use it. Generally, the Control But-
ton can be used to make the instrument operational again when in Error mode.
Switching between LibUSB and CDC Modes
The native communication mode of the DI-4718B is LibUSB but it can be switched to the USB CDC
(Communication Device Class). CDC mode allows the USB port of DI-4718B devices to appear like a traditional RS-
232 port, which is common across most operating systems and development languages.
Please note: LibUSB
communication is required for WinDaq Acquisition software and programming with our .NET SDK. Only switch to
CDC mode when writing your own programs at the protocol level (for example, Python applications).
Use the
following sequence to switch your device to/from LibUSB/CDC modes:
1. Connect the device to your PC via the USB port.
2. Apply power to the device.
3. When mode LED stops blinking white and is in Idle mode, push and hold the Control button. This must be com-
pleted within five seconds after the device is in Idle mode.
4. When the mode LED turns red, release the Control button.
5. The Mode LED will flash white then indicate Idle in either LibUSB or CDC mode:
•
CDC mode: Blinking Yellow
•
LibUSB mode: Blinking Green
Save Ethernet and Stand-alone configuration to Thumb Drive
Save Ethernet settings and/or stand-alone configuration settings using the Control Button. Ethernet and Stand-alone
configurations can also be saved to the thumb drive via the Dashboard (preferred method). See “WinDaq Dashboard”
on page 20. Device must be in Idle mode for Ethernet or USB thumb Drive (mode LED blinks green/yellow). The
Unlock Code must be purchased for your device in order to save the stand-alone configuration.
