The USB-SDI / SDI-SIM in data recorder mode allows to send commands on the SDI-12 bus via a USB. This mode is mainly used to test sensors or to monitor communication on the SDI-12 bus. This mode allows to use standard PC as a data recorder using a serial terminal application or a custom software.

In sensor mode, the USB-SDI/SDI-SIM acts as a standard SDI-12 sensor and responds to SDI-12 recorder commands. All responses are programmable and adjustable; therefore, the USB-SDI / SDI-SIM can act as any sensor. In the sensor mode, the USB-SDI / SDI-SIM analyzes the communication via SDI-12 bus and sends reports via a USB bus to a PC.