Documentation > Instruction Manuals
Quad Light Controller - 2.01.005
Introduction
The Quad Light Controller (2.01.005) is an USB controller that has four light port (traffic light or level crossing light). It allows to connect and control lights with your computer.
Installation
Configuring the Controller
From firmware version 2019.01.1 onward, the starter controller has two communication protocols: a binary one and ASCII one. Older versions of the controller only have the binary communication protocol. The binary one is used by nControl™ to communicate with the controller. The ASCII protocol is fully documented and can be used to integrate the quad sensor controller into a your own custom software application.
This section is only useful if you want to integrate the controller in your own software. It's not relvant in case you're using the controller with nControl™
The information on this page is intended for personal, non-commercial, use only. Commercial use without prior written approval by 4DBrix LLC is prohibited.
Connecting to the Controller
You can communicate with the starter controller over a serial connection. The default baud rate is 38400. Keep in mind that the controllers start up using the digital communication protocol, so you need to switch them to the ASCII protocol before you can use the commands listed in this manual.
To connect to your controller, make a serial connection using 38400 baud and then send the command:
mod,asc;
to switch the controller to the ASCII protocol. Once that's done, you're ready to start using the controller.
ASCII Commands
Auxiliary Device Commands
cmd,port,data;
Send serial data to an auxiliary device. This command can only be used if the port has been configured as a serial out port.
  • port specifies the port of the controller.
  • port specifies the data string that has to be sent to the auxiliary device.

Controller Info
get,serial;
Request the serial number of the controller.
get,type;
Request the type of the controller.
get,version;
Request the firmware version of the controller.

LED Commands
led,port,led,on;
Switch an LED on.
  • port specifies the port of the controller.
  • led specifies the LED that as to be controlled. [1, 2]
led,port,led,off;
Switch an LED off.
  • port specifies the port of the controller.
  • led specifies the LED that as to be controlled. [1, 2]
led,port,led,power;
Set the brightness of an LED.
  • port specifies the port of the controller.
  • led specifies the LED that as to be controlled. [1, 2]
  • power specifies the power of the LED. [0.. 255]

Communication Mode
mod,asc;
Switch the controller to the ASCII communication protocol.
mod,bin;
Switch the controller to the binary communication protocol.

Controller Settings
set,baud,rate;
Change the baud rate of the serial communication. The new baud rate is stored in the EEPROM of the controller and will be used next time the controller boots.
  • rate specifies baud rate.
Example
Use the following procedure to set the brightness of the LED:
  • Make a serial connection to the controller using 38400 baud.
  • Send the command mod,asc; to switch the controller to ASCII mode
  • Send the command led,3,1,128 to define the brightness of the LED
  • Send the command led,3,1,on to switch the LED on
Versions
2017.05.1
  • Support for nControl™ (digital communication protocol)
2019.01.1
  • Added support for ASCII communication protocol
  • Added support for auxiliary serial devices