NI cDAQ-9174 User Manual

USER GUIDE AND SPECIFICATIONS
NI cDAQ-9178/9174
For NI cDAQ-9178 (8-Slot) and NI cDAQ-9174 (4-Slot) Chassis
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................. 3
Safety Guidelines .................................................................................... 4
Safety Guidelines for Hazardous Voltages...................................... 4
Information Resources ............................................................................ 4
Technical Support on the Web......................................................... 4
Training Courses.............................................................................. 4
Installing the Software ............................................................................ 4
Installing Other Software................................................................. 4
Installing the NI cDAQ-9178/9174......................................................... 5
NI cDAQ-9178/9174 Dimensions ................................................... 5
Mounting the NI cDAQ-9178/9174................................................. 6
Setting Up the NI cDAQ-9178/9174 ...................................................... 9
Understanding LED Indications.............................................................. 10
Power LED ...................................................................................... 10
Ready LED ...................................................................................... 10
Active LED ...................................................................................... 10
Using the NI cDAQ-9178/9174 .............................................................. 11
C Series I/O Modules....................................................................... 11
cDAQ Module Interface .................................................................. 11
USB-STC3 ....................................................................................... 12
Analog Input ........................................................................................... 12
Analog Input Triggering .................................................................. 12
Analog Input Timing Signals........................................................... 15
Getting Started with AI Applications in Software........................... 17
Analog Output......................................................................................... 17
Analog Output Data Generation Methods ....................................... 18
Analog Output Triggering ............................................................... 19
Analog Output Timing Signals ........................................................ 21
Minimizing Glitches on the Output Signal ...................................... 22
Getting Started with AO Applications in Software ......................... 22
Digital I/O ............................................................................................... 22
Hardware-Timed Versus Static DIO Modules................................. 22
Static DIO ........................................................................................ 22
Digital Waveform Acquisition (Hardware-Timed Input) ................ 23
Digital Input Triggering................................................................... 23
Digital Input Timing Signals ........................................................... 25

NI cDAQ-9174 Specifications

General

Form Factor	Compact
Number of Slots	4
Connectivity	USB
USB Interface	USB 2.0
Power Supply	USB powered
Bus Type	USB
Supported Modules	C Series
Operating Temperature	0 °C to 55 °C
Operating Temperature Range	0 to 55 °C
Storage Temperature Range	-20 to 70 °C
Relative Humidity Range	10% to 90% noncondensing
Power Requirements	5V from USB

Summary

Safety Guidelines

Safety Guidelines for Hazardous Voltages

Precautions for operating the chassis and modules with hazardous voltages.

Installing the Software

Instructions for installing the NI-DAQmx software and related documentation.

Installing the NI cDAQ-9178/9174

Mounting the NI cDAQ-9178/9174

Setting Up the NI cDAQ-9178/9174

Using the NI CDAQ-9178/9174

USB-STC3 Features

Triggering Modes

Overview of available trigger modes: Start, Reference, and Pause triggers.

Flexible Counter/Timers

Description of the four general-purpose 32-bit counter/timers and their capabilities.

Analog Input

Analog Input Triggering

Configuring triggers (Start, Reference, Pause) for analog input measurements.

AI Start Trigger Signal

Using the Start Trigger to begin an analog input measurement acquisition.

AI Reference Trigger Signal

Using the Reference Trigger to stop or control analog input acquisition.

AI Pause Trigger Signal

Using the Pause Trigger to pause and resume analog input measurements.

Analog Input Timing Signals

Understanding the Sample Clock signal for analog input data acquisition.

Getting Started with AI Applications

Analog Output

Analog Output Data Generation Methods

Methods for generating analog output: software-timed and hardware-timed generations.

Analog Output Triggering

AO Start Trigger Signal

Using AO Start Trigger to initiate waveform generation with optional delay.

AO Pause Trigger Signal

Using AO Pause Trigger to mask samples in analog output sequences.

Analog Output Timing Signals

Digital I/O

Hardware-Timed Versus Static DIO Modules

Capabilities of hardware-timed and static DIO modules for digital signal processing.

Digital Waveform Acquisition

Digital Input Triggering

DI Start Trigger Signal

Using DI Start Trigger to begin digital input measurement acquisitions.

DI Reference Trigger Signal

Using DI Reference Trigger to stop or control digital input acquisition.

Digital Input Timing Signals

Getting Started with DI Applications

Digital Output

Digital Output Data Generation Methods

Methods for generating digital output: software-timed and hardware-timed generations.

Digital Output Triggering

DO Pause Trigger Signal

Counters

Counter Timing Engine

Counter Input Applications

List of available counter input applications such as edge counting and pulse measurements.

Counting Edges

Pulse-Width Measurement

Pulse Measurement

Semi-Period Measurement

Frequency Measurement

Low Frequency with One Counter

High Frequency with Two Counters

Large Range of Frequencies with Two Counters

Sample Clocked Buffered Frequency Measurement

Choosing a Method for Measuring Frequency

Period Measurement

Position Measurement

Measurements Using Quadrature Encoders

Performing position measurements with quadrature encoders (X1, X2, X4).

Measurements Using Two Pulse Encoders

Performing position measurements with two-pulse encoders.

Buffered (Sample Clock) Position Measurement

Two-Signal Edge-Separation Measurement

Counter Output Applications

Simple Pulse Generation

Pulse Train Generation

Frequency Generation

Using the Frequency Generator

Details on the dedicated frequency generator circuit and its block diagram.

Counter Timing Signals

Counter n Source Signal

Counter n Gate Signal

Counter n A, Counter n B, and Counter n Z Signals

Counter n HW Arm Signal

Counter n HW Arm Signal

Counter n Sample Clock Signal

Counter Triggering

Arm Start Trigger

Using the Arm Start Trigger to enable or arm counters for input/output operations.

Start Trigger

Configuring a Start Trigger for finite or continuous pulse generation.

Pause Trigger

Using Pause Triggers for edge counting and continuous pulse generation.

Digital Routing and Clock Generation

Specifications

General-Purpose Counter/Timers Specifications

Power Requirements

Safety

Safety Standards

Electromagnetic Compatibility

Where to Go for Support