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The NI 9512, NI 9514, and NI 9516 C Series modules are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year
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Compliance
Electromagnetic Compatibility Information
This hardware has been tested and found to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements and limits for electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) as indicated in the hardware’s Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the hardware is operated in the intended
electromagnetic environment. In special cases, for example when either highly sensitive or noisy hardware is being used in close
proximity, additional mitigation measures may have to be employed to minimize the potential for electromagnetic interference.
While this hardware is compliant with the applicable regulatory EMC requirements, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. To minimize the potential for the hardware to cause interference to radio and television
reception or to experience unacceptable performance degradation, install and use this hardware in strict accordance with the
instructions in the hardware documentation and the DoC
If this hardware does cause interference with licensed radio communications services or other nearby electronics, which can be
determined by turning the hardware off and on, you are encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
•Reorient the antenna of the receiver (the device suffering interference).
•Relocate the transmitter (the device generating interference) with respect to the receiver.
•Plug the transmitter into a different outlet so that the transmitter and the receiver are on different branch circuits.
Some hardware may require the use of a metal, shielded enclosure (windowless version) to meet the EMC requirements for
special EMC environments such as, for marine use or in heavy industrial areas. Refer to the hardware’s user documentation and
the DoC
When the hardware is connected to a test object or to test leads, the system may become more sensitive to disturbances or may
cause interference in the local electromagnetic environment.
Operation of this hardware in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference. Users are required to correct the
interference at their own expense or cease operation of the hardware.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by National Instruments could void the user’s right to operate the hardware
under the local regulatory rules.
1
for product installation requirements.
1
.
1
. These requirements and limits are
1
The Declaration of Conformity (DoC) contains important EMC compliance information and instructions for the user or
installer. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit
and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.
ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line,
This manual describes the electrical and mechanical aspects of the National
Instruments 951x C Series drive interface modules and contains
information concerning installation and operation.
Conventions
This manual uses the following conventions:
<>Angle brackets that contain numbers separated by an ellipsis represent a
range of values associated with a bit or signal name—for example,
AO <3..0>.
»The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options
to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to
pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options
from the last dialog box.
This icon denotes a tip, which alerts you to advisory information.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to
avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash. When this symbol is marked on a
product, refer to the Safety Information section for information about
precautions to take.
This icon denotes that the component may be hot. Touching this component may
result in bodily injury.
boldBold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such
as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes parameter
names.
italicItalic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross-reference, or an introduction
to a key concept. Italic text also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word
or value that you must supply.
monospaceText in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the
keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.
This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations,
variables, filenames, and extensions.
The following documents contain information you might find helpful as
you read this manual:
•Operating Instructions for the controller and modules (shipped with
the hardware and available from
•NI-Motion Help—Contains information about motion programming
concepts and the NI-Motion architecture. Access the NI-Motion Help
by going to Start»All Programs»NI-Motion»Documentation.
•LabVIEW NI SoftMotion Module Help—Use this help file to learn
about using NI SoftMotion in LabVIEW including information about
function blocks and using NI SoftMotion with the LabVIEW Project.
To access this help file from LabVIEW, select Help»Search the LabVIEW Help, then expand the LabVIEW NI SoftMotion Module
book on the Contents tab.
•LabVIEW Help—Contains LabVIEW, LabVIEW Real-Time Module,
and LabVIEW FPGA Module programming concepts, instructions,
and reference information. Access the LabVIEW Help by selecting
Help»Search the LabVIEW Help from within LabVIEW.
ni.com/manuals)
NI 951x User Manualxni.com
Introduction and Installation
This chapter includes information about the features of the National
Instruments 9512, 9514, and 9516 drive interface modules.
NoteThe remainder of this document will refer to these modules collectively as NI 951x
modules.
About the NI 951x Drive Interface Modules
The NI 951x drive interface modules are a family of C Series motion
modules. These modules enable advanced motion with configuration and
programming using NI LabVIEW.
Features
1
NoteRefer to Appendix B, Position Command Connections, for information about using
the NI 9512 module with position command servo drives.
Hardware
The NI 951x modules provide servo or stepper drive interface signals for a
single axis, a full set of motion I/O including inputs for a home switch and limit
switches, incremental encoder inputs for position feedback, and 0 to 30 V
digital input and digital output lines. Refer to Chapter 3, Signal Connections,
for more information about the signals available on each module.
•The NI 9512 is a single-axis stepper or position command drive
interface module with incremental encoder feedback.
•The NI 9514 is a single-axis servo drive interface module with
incremental encoder feedback.
•The NI 9516 is a single-axis servo drive interface module with dual
incremental encoder feedback.
The NI 951x drive interface modules include a processor to run the spline
interpolation engine and patented NI step generation algorithm or
PID control loop/PIVff control loop. Working together they produce
smoother motion resulting in precise motion control.
Scan Interface mode enables you to use C Series modules directly from the
LabVIEW Real-Time Module. Refer to the CompactRIO Reference and Procedures (Scan Interface) section of the LabVIEW Help for more
information about using C Series modules in Scan Interface mode.
To set up and use the NI 951x drive interface modules in Scan Interface
mode, you must have the following items:
❑The following software packages and documentation:
–NI SoftMotion. This software package contains the following
NI software products:
•NI SoftMotion software
•NI-Motion driver software
–LabVIEW Development System
–LabVIEW Real-Time Module
–NI-RIO driver software
TipRefer to the software documentation for installation instructions.
❑The following hardware and documentation:
–NI 9512, NI 9514, or NI 9516 drive interface module
–External power supply
NoteRefer to the Power Requirements section of Appendix A, Specifications, for power
supply requirements.
–CompactRIO controller and chassis that support the RIO Scan
Interface
or
NI 951x User Manual1-2ni.com
–NI 9144 distributed chassis
Chapter 1Introduction and Installation
Using the NI 951x Modules in LabVIEW FPGA Interface Mode
LabVIEW FPGA Interface mode enables you to use C Series modules from
LabVIEW FPGA VIs. Refer to the CompactRIO Reference and Procedures (FPGA Interface) section of the LabVIEW Help for more information about
using C Series modules in LabVIEW FPGA Interface mode.
To set up and use the NI 951x drive interface modules in LabVIEW FPGA
Interface mode, you must have the following items:
❑The following software packages and documentation:
–(optional) NI SoftMotion. This software package contains the
following NI software products:
•NI SoftMotion software
•NI-Motion driver software
–LabVIEW Development System
–LabVIEW Real-Time Module
–LabVIEW FPGA Module
–NI-RIO driver software
TipRefer to the software documentation for installation instructions.
❑The following hardware and documentation:
–NI 9512, NI 9514, or NI 9516 drive interface module
–External power supply
NoteRefer to the Power Requirements section of Appendix A, Specifications, for power
supply requirements.
–CompactRIO controller and chassis
Safety Information
Special Conditions for Marine Applications
Some modules are Lloyd’s Register (LR) Type Approved for marine
applications. To verify Lloyd’s Register certification, visit
and search for the LR certificate, or look for the Lloyd’s
Chapter 1Introduction and Installation
CautionTo meet radio frequency emission requirements for marine applications, use
shielded cables and install the system in a metal enclosure. Suppression ferrites must be
installed on power supply inputs near power entries to modules and controllers. Power
supply and module cables must be separated on opposite sides of the enclosure and must
enter and exit through opposing enclosure walls.
Optional Equipment
National Instruments offers several options for connecting NI 951x drive
interface modules to external stepper drives or servo amplifiers including
the following:
the NI 9512 to the P70530 or P70360 stepper drives available from NI.
(NI part number 780552-01)
•NI 951x Cable and Terminal Block Bundle—Connects the NI 951x
module with the 37-pin spring terminal blocks. (NI part number
780553-01)
•DSUB and MDR Solder Cup Connectors—Simplifies custom cable
creation.
NI part number for DSUB connector: 780549-01
NI part number for MDR connector: 780551-01
•DSUB to Pigtails Cable and MDR to Pigtails Cable—Simplifies
custom cable creation.
NI part number for DSUB cable: 193412-04
NI part number for MDR cable: 193413-04
CautionDo not use the recommended module power supplies to power a drive. Check
your drive documentation for drive power supply requirements.
•+24 V DC power supply
NoteRefer to the National Instruments Web site at ni.com for available power supplies.
Refer to Chapter 4, Accessory and Cable Connections, for cable and
terminal block pin assignments. For additional information about these and
other available products refer to the National Instruments Web site at
ni.com, or call your National Instruments sales representative.
NI 951x User Manual1-4ni.com
Hardware Overview
This chapter presents an overview of the National Instruments 951x drive
interface module hardware, including connections and connector pin
assignments. The following figure shows the NI 951x module.
This section contains connection information for each drive interface
module, including connection diagrams for a complete system setup.
NI 9512 Connections
Complete the following steps to connect the NI 9512 stepper drive interface
module to drives and other I/O:
1.Install the module in the chassis as specified in the chassis
documentation.
NoteRefer to the NI SoftMotion Module book of the LabVIEW Help for information about
chassis, slot, or software restrictions.
2.Connect the module to a drive and other I/O using the
NI 9512-to-P7000 Stepper Drives Connectivity Bundle, the NI 951x
Cable and Terminal Block Bundle, or a custom cable for direct
connectivity.
3.Connect the NI 9512 module to an external power supply.
Figure 2-2 shows a simplified connection diagram.
NoteRefer to Appendix B, Position Command Connections, for position command signal
information and information about connecting the NI 9512 module to drives that support
position command mode.
CautionDo not connect anything to pins marked Reserved.
NI 951x User Manual2-2ni.com
Chapter 2Hardware Overview
DSUB Connector
Step±/CW
Direction±/CCW
Drive Fault
Drive Enable
NI Connection
Accessory/
Custom Cable
Step±/CW
Direction±/CCW
Drive Fault
Drive Enable
MDR Connector
Encoder 0 Phase A, B, Index
+5 V OUT
Forward, Reverse Limit, Home
V
sup
NI 9512
Limit and Home
Sensors
Power Supply
Drive
Encoder (optional)Stepper Motor
Figure 2-2. NI 9512 Connection Diagram
Note
supply to the V
The NI 9512 requires an external power supply. You can connect the external power
input provided on the DSUB or MDR connector. Do not connect more
Figure 2-7 shows the NI 9516 block diagram. Refer to Chapter 3, Signal
Connections, for more information about the individual signals and
connecting devices to the module.
Phase A± (0)
Phase B± (0)
Index± (0)
Phase A± (1)
Phase B± (1)
Position
Capture
Home
Forward
Reverse
Digital Input (0-1)
Receiver
Buffer
DAC
Circuitry
Buffer
Microprocessor
(PID Loop)
Output
Circuitry
Input
Circuitry
+5V Reg
Figure 2-7. NI 9516 Block Diagram
Drive
Command
Position
Compare
Drive
Enable
V
sup
COM
+5 V OUT
User Connectors
The NI 951x has two connectors, a 15-pin DSUB drive interface connector
and a 20-pin MDR feedback connector. The 15-pin DSUB includes
command signals for interfacing with stepper drives or servo amplifiers,
0 to 30 V general-purpose digital input and digital output lines, and an input
for power connection.
The 20-pin MDR connector includes incremental encoder feedback inputs,
a +5 V output for encoder power, home, limit, and position compare inputs,
an output for position compare, an additional input for power connection,
and an additional 0 to 30 V general-purpose digital input line. Refer to
Chapter 3, Signal Connections, for details about the signals in each
connector.
NoteThe remainder of this document does not distinguish between drives and amplifiers.
All references to drives also apply to amplifiers.
NI 951x User Manual2-8ni.com
NI 9512 Connectors
CautionDo not connect anything to pins marked Reserved.
Table 2-1. NI 9512 DSUB Control Connector Pin Assignments
ConnectorPinSignal
15
Chapter 2Hardware Overview
Refer to Chapter 4, Accessory and Cable Connections, for cabling options
and connection accessory pin assignments.
1Reserved
2Drive Enable
3Digital Input 3
4Digital Input 2
10
5
5Digital Output 1
6Reserved
7COM
8Digital Input 1
9Direction (CCW)–
10Step (CW)–
11Digital Output 0
11
6
1
12V
sup
13Direction (CCW)+
14COM
15Step (CW)+
NoteRefer to Appendix B, Position Command Connections, for position command signal
information and information about connecting the NI 9512 module to position command
drives.