National Instruments has launched the NIX Series Multifunction Data Acquisition (DAQ), a total of eight new USB devices that offer increased digital functionality, to be employed by scientists and engineers alike, for a broad range of applications, such as data-logging, measurements etc.
These devices are a combination of digital I/O and counters/timers with analog measurement and control channels, all combined inside a distinctive plug and play equipment. The eight devices operate in a range between 500kS/s multiplexed AI and 2MS/s channel simultaneous sampling AI, and incorporate four analog outputs, 32 analog inputs, four counters and 48 digital I/O lines.
Engineers and scientists can develop customized testing applications, applying a flowchart like assembly, composed of sensitive graphical icons and wires, by using the NILabVIEW graphical programming. Data logging and analysis can be easily done by using the LabVIEW2010 facility, with a novel data management streaming feature inside the NI DAQ Assistant. It also has a capability to propel the waveform graph’s data to Microsoft Excel or to NIDIAdem for post processing. The multithreaded NI-DAQmx driver software is a universal feature in all the USB X series, its utility being to convey text-based code or LabVIEW from earlier applications.
These devices contain NI-STC3 technology, used for obtaining and triggering complex timing and NI Signal Streaming processes, for bi-directional and high-speed data streaming. Concurrent sampling is possible on every single analog input at two levels 1.25MS/s and 2MS/s. These high rates of sampling are appropriate for portable ultrasonic testing equipments and concise recording operations. The NI-STC3 technology supplies auto-regulating timing engines for the digital I/O and onboard analog subsystems, enabling analog and digital I/O operations at varied rates, or along with synchronization. For pulse-width modulation (PWM), frequency, and encoder processes, four improved 32-bit counters are used along with a timebase of 100MBz to produce superior resolution.
The device is capsulated in a new aluminum framework, which provides a simple right of entry and also protects signal wires. The labels on the lid help differentiate the screw terminals for each channel. To foil inadvertent removal of the device when it is being used, a USB port lock is also provided.