NI SCB-68A Central control module

NI Data Acquisition (DAQ) Boards Overview

NI Data Acquisition (DAQ) boards are hardware devices used to convert real-world analog and digital signals into digital data that a computer can process. They typically plug into a computer's PCI, PCIe, or USB bus and are used with NI-DAQmx driver software and programming environments like LabVIEW or others to build custom measurement and control systems. NI offers a wide variety of DAQ boards to meet different measurement needs, including varying channel counts, sampling rates, resolutions, and signal conditioning capabilities.

Product Detailed Description

• Function:

• Analog Input (AI): Measures analog signals such as voltage, current, temperature, and strain.

• Analog Output (AO): Generates analog signals such as voltage and current to control external devices.

• Digital Input/Output (DI/O): Reads and writes digital signals for logic control and communication.

• Counters/Timers: Performs tasks such as event counting, frequency measurement, and pulse generation.

• Triggering and Synchronization: Provides hardware and software triggering for precise synchronization of multiple measurement and control operations.

• Signal Conditioning: Some boards integrate signal conditioning circuitry such as amplification, filtering, and isolation.

• Features:

• Wide selection of bus interfaces (PCI, PCIe, USB).

• Different channel counts and sampling rates to suit various application requirements.

• Programmable gain and input ranges.

• High-resolution Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs).

• Flexible triggering and synchronization options.

• Seamless integration with NI-DAQmx driver software for simplified programming.

• Compatibility with various programming environments, including LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, and MATLAB.

Product Parameters

As NI offers a very extensive range of DAQ boards, the following are some general parameters. Always refer to the official datasheet for the specific model for accurate parameters:

• Bus Interface:

• PCI, PCIe, USB.

• Analog Input (AI):

• Number of Channels: E.g., 8, 16, 32, 64, etc.

• Sampling Rate: E.g., 100 kS/s to several MS/s (per channel).

• Resolution: E.g., 12-bit, 16-bit, 18-bit, 24-bit.

• Input Range: E.g., ±10 V, ±5 V, ±1 V, etc., programmable.

• Input Coupling: Differential, single-ended, RSE.

• Analog Output (AO):

• Number of Channels: E.g., 2, 4, 8, etc.

• Update Rate: E.g., 100 kS/s to several MS/s (per channel).

• Resolution: E.g., 12-bit, 16-bit.

• Output Range: E.g., ±10 V, 0-10 V, etc., programmable.

• Digital Input/Output (DI/O):

• Number of Channels: E.g., 8, 16, 32, etc.

• Digital Logic Levels: E.g., 5 V TTL, 3.3 V CMOS.

• Configurable as input or output.

• Some boards feature hardware-timed digital I/O.

• Counters/Timers:

• Number of Channels: E.g., 2, 4, etc.

• Maximum Count Frequency: E.g., 80 MHz.

• Functions: Edge counting, frequency measurement, pulse width measurement, pulse generation, etc.

• Triggering:

• Analog triggering, digital triggering, software triggering.

• Configurable trigger sources and conditions.

• Synchronization:

• RTSI bus (for PCI/PCIe boards).

• PFI lines.

• Software synchronization.

• Connector Types:

• BNC, D-SUB, screw terminals, etc.

Product Advantages

• High Performance:

• High sampling rates and resolutions suitable for precise measurements and fast control applications.

• Flexibility and Configurability:

• Wide range of models and configuration options to meet various measurement needs.

• Programmable parameters and functions for easy system customization.

• Powerful Software Integration:

• Seamless integration with NI-DAQmx driver software simplifies programming and configuration.

• Broad programming language support, including LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, and MATLAB.

• Reliability and Durability:

• Designed for industrial and research applications with high reliability and durability.

• Comprehensive Ecosystem:

• NI provides a complete range of hardware, software, and services, as well as a large user community and support resources.

• Precise Synchronization:

• Powerful triggering and synchronization features enable the construction of complex multi-channel measurement and control systems.

Precautions

• Correct Selection:

• Choose the appropriate DAQ board based on the specific measurement types, signal ranges, sampling rates, resolutions, channel counts, and bus interface requirements.

• Correct Installation:

• Follow NI's installation guidelines, ensuring the board is correctly inserted into the computer slot or connected to the USB port.

• Driver Installation:

• The NI-DAQmx driver software must be installed correctly before using the DAQ board.

• Signal Conditioning:

• Additional signal conditioning hardware may be required for some low-level or high-noise signals.

• Grounding and Shielding:

• Take appropriate grounding and shielding measures to reduce noise interference and ensure measurement accuracy.

• Power Requirements:

• Ensure the computer power supply can provide sufficient power to the DAQ board.

• Software Programming:

• Familiarity with the relevant programming language and the NI-DAQmx API is required to build custom applications.

• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Protection:

• Observe electrostatic discharge precautions when handling the DAQ board.

Product Applications

NI DAQ boards are widely used in various scientific research, engineering development, and industrial automation fields, including but not limited to:

• Data Acquisition and Logging:

• Acquiring various physical quantities such as voltage, current, temperature, pressure, strain, and vibration.

• Building data logging systems.

• Automated Test and Measurement:

• Building automated product testing and quality inspection systems.

• Performing electrical, mechanical, and environmental tests.

• Laboratory Automation:

• Controlling and acquiring data in scientific experiments.

• Automating biological, chemical, and physical experiments.

• Industrial Control:

• Building custom industrial control and monitoring systems.

• Implementing machine control, process control, and motion control.

• Embedded System Development:

• Used for prototyping and developing embedded measurement and control systems.

• Education and Research:

• Used for experiments and demonstrations in engineering and science education.

• Used for data acquisition and analysis in various research fields.