# How can I send a digital output signal to the control box using the RTDE protocol in Python?

**URL:** <https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/how-can-i-send-a-digital-output-signal-to-the-control-box-using-the-rtde-protocol-in-python/40345>\
**Category:** General Application Help: How do I?\
**Created:** [June 26, 2025, 8:38pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/how-can-i-send-a-digital-output-signal-to-the-control-box-using-the-rtde-protocol-in-python/40345 "2025-06-26T20:38:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ronaldo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Ronaldo](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/Ronaldo)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 8:38pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/how-can-i-send-a-digital-output-signal-to-the-control-box-using-the-rtde-protocol-in-python/40345/1 "2025-06-26T20:38:59Z")

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I’m writing a program using the RTDE protocol to control a UR5e cobot, but when I try to send data to the digital output, I can’t find a way to do it. The tool uses a relay, so I only need to turn on a digital output port.

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**Author:** ![mvosseler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@mvosseler](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/mvosseler)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 7:00am UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/how-can-i-send-a-digital-output-signal-to-the-control-box-using-the-rtde-protocol-in-python/40345/2 "2025-06-27T07:00:40Z")

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Have you taken a look inside the github of UR? There they have examples how to call the RTDE.  
If you just dont know how to call the digital Output, there is the required name-string inside the “receipt” provided in the examples.

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**Author:** ![mmi](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.universal-robots.com/mmi/32/691_2.png) [@mmi](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/mmi)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 9:09am UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/how-can-i-send-a-digital-output-signal-to-the-control-box-using-the-rtde-protocol-in-python/40345/3 "2025-06-27T09:09:02Z")

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There is pull-request documenting all inputs (from RTDE point of view, from Robot point of view they are physical outputs), where tool digital outputs are documented as well.  
Once information in pr is verified it will be merged to examples.  
Here are relevant lines for controlling tool digital outputs through RTDE: [RTDE\_Python\_Client\_Library/examples/record\_configuration.xml at document-input-fields · UniversalRobots/RTDE\_Python\_Client\_Library · GitHub](https://github.com/UniversalRobots/RTDE_Python_Client_Library/blob/document-input-fields/examples/record_configuration.xml#L417-L420)