Getting Started with AO Applications in Software
You can use the cRIO controller in the following analog output applications:
• Single-point (on-demand) generation
• Hardware-Timed Single Point generation
• Finite generation
• Continuous generation
• Waveform generation
For more information about programming analog output applications and triggers in software,
refer to NI-DAQmx Help or to the LabVIEW Help.
Digital Input/Output with NI-DAQmx
To use digital I/O, install a digital C Series module into any slot on the cRIO controller. The
I/O specifications, such as number of lines, logic levels, update rate, and line direction, are
determined by the type of C Series module used. For more information, refer to the
documentation included with your C Series module(s).
Serial DIO versus Parallel DIO Modules
Serial digital modules have more than eight lines of digital input/output. They can be used in
any controller slot and can perform the following tasks:
• Software-timed and hardware-timed digital input/output tasks
Parallel digital modules can be used in any controller slot and can perform the following tasks:
• Software-timed and hardware-timed digital input/output tasks
• Counter/timer tasks (can be used in up to two slots)
• Accessing PFI signal tasks (can be used in up to two slots)
• Filter digital input signals
Software-timed and hardware-timed digital input/output tasks have the following restrictions:
• You cannot use parallel and serial modules together on the same hardware-timed task.
• You cannot use serial modules for triggering.
• You cannot do both static and timed tasks at the same time on a single serial module.
• You can only do hardware timing in one direction at a time on a serial bidirectional
module.
To determine the capability of digital modules supported by the controller, refer to the
Software Support for CompactRIO, CompactDAQ, Single-Board RIO, R Series, and EtherCAT
document by going to ni.com/info and entering the Info Code rdcdaq.
Static DIO
Each of the DIO lines can be used as a static DI or DO line. You can use static DIO lines to
monitor or control digital signals on some C Series modules. Each DIO line can be
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