National Instruments 6711, DAQ Analog Output, 6713, DAQCard-6715, 6722 User Manual

DAQ Analog Output
Series

Analog Output Series User Manual

NI 6711/6713/DAQCard-6715, NI 6722/6723, and NI 6731/6733
Devices

Analog Output Series User Manual

January 2017
370735F-01

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1

.

the DoC

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1

for product installation requirements.

1

.

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
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ni.com/certification, search by

Contents

Chapter 1
DAQ System Overview

Safety Guidelines.............................................................................................................. 1-2

Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines ...................................................................... 1-2

DAQ Hardware................................................................................................................. 1-3

DAQ-STC................................................................................................................. 1-3

Calibration Circuitry................................................................................................. 1-4

Internal or Self-Calibration............................................................................... 1-4

External Calibration.......................................................................................... 1-4

Cables and Accessories .................................................................................................... 1-4

Using Accessories with Devices............................................................................... 1-5

Custom Cabling ........................................................................................................ 1-7

Field Wiring Considerations..................................................................................... 1-7

Programming Devices in Software ................................................................................... 1-8

Chapter 2
I/O Connector

68-Pin AO I/O Connector Pinouts.................................................................................... 2-1

68-68-Pin Extended AO I/O Connector Pinout................................................................ 2-5

Terminal Name Equivalents ............................................................................................. 2-5

I/O Connector Signal Descriptions................................................................................... 2-7

+5 V Power Source........................................................................................................... 2-10

Chapter 3
Analog Output

Analog Output Fundamentals........................................................................................... 3-1

Analog Output Circuitry ........................................................................................... 3-1

DACs ................................................................................................................ 3-1

DAC FIFO ........................................................................................................ 3-1

AO Sample Clock ............................................................................................. 3-1

Reference Selection .......................................................................................... 3-1

Analog Output Resolution ........................................................................................ 3-2

Reference Selection (NI 6711/6713/DAQCard-6715 and NI 6731/6733 Only) ...... 3-2

Reglitch Selection (NI 6711/6713 Only).................................................................. 3-2

Minimizing Glitches on the Output Signal............................................................... 3-3

AO Data Generation Methods .................................................................................. 3-3

Software-Timed Generations............................................................................ 3-3

Hardware-Timed Generations .......................................................................... 3-3

Analog Output Triggering ................................................................................................ 3-4

Connecting Analog Output Signals .................................................................................. 3-5

© National Instruments | vii

Contents

Waveform Generation Timing Signals ............................................................................. 3-5

Waveform Generation Timing Summary ................................................................. 3-5

AO Start Trigger Signal ............................................................................................3-5

Using a Digital Source ...................................................................................... 3-6

Outputting the AO Start Trigger Signal............................................................ 3-6

AO Pause Trigger Signal .......................................................................................... 3-6

Using a Digital Source ...................................................................................... 3-7

AO Sample Clock Signal .......................................................................................... 3-7

Using an Internal Source................................................................................... 3-7

Using an External Source ................................................................................. 3-7

Outputting the AO Sample Clock Signal..........................................................3-8

Other Timing Requirements ............................................................................. 3-8

AO Sample Clock Timebase Signal ......................................................................... 3-9

Master Timebase Signal............................................................................................ 3-9

Getting Started with AO Applications in Software .......................................................... 3-10

Chapter 4
Digital I/O

Static DIO .........................................................................................................................4-2

Digital Waveform Generation

(NI 6731/6733 Only) .....................................................................................................4-2

DO Sample Clock Signal (NI 6731/6733 Only)....................................................... 4-2

Using an Internal Source................................................................................... 4-3

Using an External Source ................................................................................. 4-3

Digital Waveform Acquisition

(NI 6731/6733 Only) .....................................................................................................4-3

DI Sample Clock Signal (NI 6731/6733 Only) ........................................................ 4-4

Using an Internal Source................................................................................... 4-4

Using an External Source ................................................................................. 4-4

I/O Protection....................................................................................................................4-4

Power-On States ............................................................................................................... 4-5

Connecting Digital I/O Signals .........................................................................................4-5

Getting Started with DIO Applications in Software ......................................................... 4-6

Chapter 5
Counters

Counter Triggering ...........................................................................................................5-1

Start Trigger .............................................................................................................. 5-1

Pause Trigger ............................................................................................................5-1

Counter Timing Signals .................................................................................................... 5-2

Counter Timing Summary ........................................................................................ 5-2

Counter 0 Source Signal ........................................................................................... 5-3

Counter 0 Gate Signal ............................................................................................... 5-3

viii | ni.com

Analog Output Series User Manual

Counter 0 Internal Output Signal.............................................................................. 5-4

CTR 0 OUT Pin ................................................................................................ 5-5

Counter 0 Up/Down Signal ...................................................................................... 5-5

Counter 1 Source Signal ........................................................................................... 5-5

Counter 1 Gate Signal............................................................................................... 5-6

Counter 1 Internal Output Signal.............................................................................. 5-7

Counter 1 Up/Down Signal ...................................................................................... 5-7

Frequency Output Signal .......................................................................................... 5-7

Master Timebase Signal ........................................................................................... 5-8

Getting Started with Counter Applications in Software................................................... 5-8

Chapter 6
Programmable Function Interfaces (PFI)

Inputs ................................................................................................................................ 6-1

Outputs.............................................................................................................................. 6-1

Chapter 7
Digital Routing

Timing Signal Routing ..................................................................................................... 7-1

Connecting Timing Signals .............................................................................................. 7-3

Routing Signals in Software ............................................................................................. 7-4

Chapter 8
Real-Time System Integration Bus (RTSI)

RTSI Triggers ...................................................................................................................8-1

Device and RTSI Clocks .................................................................................................. 8-3

Synchronizing Multiple Devices ...................................................................................... 8-3

Chapter 9
Bus Interface

MITE and DAQ-PnP ........................................................................................................ 9-1

Using PXI with CompactPCI ........................................................................................... 9-1

Data Transfer Methods ..................................................................................................... 9-2

Direct Memory Access (DMA) ................................................................................ 9-2

Interrupt Request (IRQ)............................................................................................ 9-2

Programmed I/O ....................................................................................................... 9-2

Changing Data Transfer Methods between DMA

and IRQ ................................................................................................................. 9-2

Chapter 10
Triggering

Triggering with a Digital Source ...................................................................................... 10-1

© National Instruments | ix

Contents

Appendix A
Device-Specific Information

Appendix B
Troubleshooting

Appendix C
NI Services

Glossary

Index

x | ni.com

1

DAQ System Overview

Figure 1-1 shows a typical DAQ system setup, which includes transducers, signal conditioning,
cables that connect the various devices to the accessories, the analog output device, and the
programming software. Refer to the Using Accessories with Devices section for a list of devices
and their compatible accessories.

Figure 1-1. DAQ System Setup

4

3

2

+
V

–

+

HV

–

5

1

1 Sensors and Transducers
2 Terminal Block Accessory
3 Cable Assembly

mV

+

–

4DAQ Device
5 Personal Computer

© National Instruments | 1-1

+

–

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Safety Guidelines

Operate the device only as described in this document.

Caution This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to

avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.

Caution The protection provided by the device can be impaired if it is used in a

manner not described in this document. Misuse of the device can result in a hazard.
You can compromise the safety protection built into the device if the device is
damaged in any way. If the device is damaged, contact National Instruments for
repair.

Caution Do not substitute parts or modify the device except as described in this

document. Use the device only with the chassis, modules, accessories, and cables
specified in the installation instructions.

Caution You must have all covers and filler panels installed during operation of the

device. Do not operate the device without verifying that the cover is correctly
attached and the device is completely closed.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines

This product was tested and complies with the regulatory requirements and limits for
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) stated in the product specifications. These requirements
and limits provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the product is
operated in the intended operational electromagnetic environment.

This product is intended for use in industrial locations. However, harmful interference may
occur in some installations, when the product is connected to a peripheral device or test object,
or if the product is used in residential or commercial areas. To minimize interference with radio
and television reception and prevent unacceptable performance degradation, install and use this
product in strict accordance with the instructions in the product documentation.

Furthermore, any modifications to the product not expressly approved by National Instruments
could void your authority to operate it under your local regulatory rules.

Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance, operate this product only with

shielded cables and accessories. Do not use unshielded cables or accessories unless
they are installed in a shielded enclosure with properly designed and shielded
input/output ports and connected to the product using a shielded cable. If unshielded
cables or accessories are not properly installed and shielded, the EMC specifications
for the product are no longer guaranteed.

1-2 | ni.com

Analog Output Series User Manual

Analog Output

Digital I/O

Counters

PFI

Digital

Routing

RTSI

Bus

Interface

Bus

I/O Connector

Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance of the DAQCard-6715, the

length of the I/O cable must be no longer than 3 m (10 ft). For all other products, the
length of the I/O cable must be no longer than 30 m (100 ft).

DAQ Hardware

DAQ hardware digitizes signals, performs D/A conversions to generate analog output signals,
and measures and controls digital I/O signals. Figure 1-2 shows the components common to all
AO Series devices. The following sections contain more information about specific components
of the DAQ hardware.

Figure 1-2. Analog Output Block Diagram

DAQ-STC

Analog output devices use the National Instruments DAQ system timing controller (DAQ-STC)
for time-related functions. The DAQ-STC consists of the following three timing groups:

• AI—two 24-bit, two 16-bit counters (not used on AO Series devices)

• AO—three 24-bit, one 16-bit counter

• General-purpose counter/timer functions—two 24-bit counters

You can independently configure the groups for timing resolutions of 50 ns or 10 µs. With the
DAQ-STC, you can interconnect a wide variety of internal timing signals to other internal
blocks. The interconnection scheme is flexible and completely software-configurable.

The DAQ-STC offers PFI lines to import external timing and trigger signals or to export
internally generated clocks and triggers. The DAQ-STC also supports buffered operations, such
as buffered waveform acquisition, buffered waveform generation, and buffered period
measurement. It also supports numerous non-buffered operations, such as single pulse or pulse
train generation, digital input, and digital output.

© National Instruments | 1-3

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Calibration Circuitry

Calibration is the process of making adjustments to a measurement device to reduce errors
associated with measurements. Without calibration, the measurement results of your device will
drift over time and temperature. Calibration adjusts for these changes to improve measurement
accuracy and ensure that your product meets its required specifications.

DAQ devices have high precision analog circuits that must be adjusted to obtain optimum
accuracy in your measurements. Calibration determines what adjustments these analog circuits
should make to the device measurements. During calibration, the value of a known, high
precision measurement source is compared to the value your device acquires or generates. The
adjustment values needed to minimize the difference between the known and measured values
are stored in the EEPROM of the device as calibration constants. Before performing a
measurement, these constants are read out of the EEPROM and are used to adjust the calibration
hardware on the device. NI-DAQ determines when this is necessary and does it automatically.
If you are not using NI-DAQ, you must load these values yourself.

You can calibrate AO Series devices in the following two ways.

Internal or Self-Calibration

Self-calibration is a process to adjust the device relative to a highly accurate and stable internal
reference on the device. Self-calibration is similar to the autocalibration or autozero found on
some instruments. You should perform a self-calibration whenever environmental conditions,
such as ambient temperature, change significantly. To perform self-calibration, use the
self-calibrate function or VI that is included with your driver software. Self-calibration requires
no external connections.

External Calibration

External calibration is a process to adjust the device relative to a traceable, high precision
calibration standard. The accuracy specifications of your device change depending on how long
it has been since your last external calibration. National Instruments recommends that you
calibrate your device at least as often as the intervals listed in the accuracy specifications.

For a detailed calibration procedure for AO Series devices, refer to the AO Waveform
Calibration Procedure for NI-DAQmx document by selecting Manual Calibration Procedures

ni.com/calibration.

at

Cables and Accessories

NI offers a variety of products to use with Analog Output Series devices, including:

• BNC accessories

• Connector blocks with screw terminals

• I/O connector cables

1-4 | ni.com

Analog Output Series User Manual

• RTSI bus cables

• Low channel-count digital signal conditioning modules, devices, and accessories

For more specific information about these products, refer to ni.com.

The following sections contain information on how to select accessories for your AO Series
device.

Using Accessories with Devices

Go to ni.com/info and enter the Info Code AOcables for the most current list of supported
cables and accessories for the following analog output devices.

Table 1-1. Accessories and Cables for Analog Output Devices

Accessories

Device

Cables Terminal Blocks

NI 6711/6713 SH68-68-EPM

(Recommended, Shielded)

R6868 (Low Cost)

NI DAQCard-6715 SHC68-68-EPM

(Recommended, Shielded)

SHC68U-68-EP (Shielded)

RC68-68 (Unshielded)

NI 6722 SH68-C68-S

(Recommended, Shielded)

RC68-68 (Low Cost)

BNC-2110
CA1000
CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68
SCB-68A
TBX-68
TB-2705 (PXI only)

BNC-2110
CA1000
CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68A
SCB-68
TBX-68

BNC-2110
CA1000
CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68A
SCB-68
TBX-68

© National Instruments | 1-5

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Table 1-1. Accessories and Cables for Analog Output Devices (Continued)

Accessories

Device

NI 6723
(AO 0–7 & DIGITAL connector)

SH68-C68-S
(Recommended, Shielded)

Cables Terminal Blocks

RC68-68
(Low Cost)

NI 6723 (AO 8–31 connector) SH68-C68-S

(Recommended, Shielded)

RC68-68
(Low Cost)

NI 6731/6733 SH68-68-EPM

(Recommended)

R6868
(Low Cost)

BNC-2110
CA1000
CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68A
SBC-68
TBX-68

BNC-2115
CA-1000
CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68A
SCB-68
TBX-68

BNC-2110
CA1000
CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68
SCB-68A
TBX-68
TB-2705 (PXI only)

Table 1-2. Overview of DAQ Accessories for Analog Output Devices

Accessory Description

BNC-2110 BNC connector block for 68-pin analog output devices

BNC-2115 BNC connector block for extended I/O

CA-1000 Per-channel custom connectivity connector accessory enclosure

CB-68LP, CB-68LPR 68-pin, low-cost screw terminal block

SCB-68A, SCB-68 68-pin, shielded screw terminal block with breadboard areas.

The SCB-68A is a newer design recommended for all new
applications over the SCB-68.

TBX-68 68-pin, DIN rail-mountable screw terminal block

1-6 | ni.com

Analog Output Series User Manual

Custom Cabling

Follow these guidelines if you want to develop your own cable.

• Route the analog lines separately from the digital lines.

• When using a cable shield, use separate shields for the analog and digital halves of the
cable. Failure to do so results in noise coupling into the analog signals from transient digital
signals.

Table 1-3 shows the recommended connectors to use with the I/O connector on your AO device.

Table 1-3. Recommended AO Connectors

Device Connector

NI 6711/6713 Honda 68-position, solder cup, female connector Honda backshell

NI DAQCard-6715 AMP 68-position, VHDCI AMP backshell

NI 6722/6723 AMP 68-position, VHDCI AMP backshell

NI 6731/6733 Honda 68-position, solder cup, female connector Honda backshell

Note When the NI DAQCard-6715 is in the upper PCMCIA slot, you can maintain

access to the adjacent slot by using an inverted VHDCI connector.

For more information on the connectors used for DAQ devices, refer to the KnowledgeBase
document, Specifications and Manufacturers for Board Mating Connectors. To access this
document, go to ni.com/info and enter the info code rdsmbm.

Field Wiring Considerations

The following recommendations apply for all signal connections to the AO Series device.

• Separate the signal lines of the AO Series device from high-current or high-voltage lines.
These lines can induce currents in or voltages on the signal lines of the AO Series device if
they run in close parallel paths. To reduce the magnetic coupling between lines, separate
them by a reasonable distance if they run in parallel, or run the lines at right angles to each
other.

•Do not run signal lines through conduits that also contain power lines.

• Protect signal lines from magnetic fields caused by electric motors, welding equipment,
breakers, or transformers by running them through special metal conduits.

Refer to the NI Developer Zone document, Field Wiring and Noise Considerations for Analog
Signals, for more information. To access this document, go to
Code rdfwin.

ni.com/info and enter the Info

© National Instruments | 1-7

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Programming Devices in Software

National Instruments measurement devices are packaged with NI-DAQmx driver software, an
extensive library of functions and VIs you can call from your application software, such as
LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI, to program all the features of your NI measurement devices.
Driver software has an application programming interface (API), which is a library of VIs,
functions, classes, attributes, and properties for creating applications for your device.

NI-DAQmx includes a collection of programming examples to help you get started developing
an application. You can modify example code and save it in an application. You can use
examples to develop a new application or add example code to an existing application.

To locate LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI examples, open the National Instruments Example
Finder:

• In LabVIEW, select Help»Find Examples.

• In LabWindows/CVI, select Help»NI Example Finder.

Measurement Studio, Visual Basic, and ANSI C examples are in the following directories:

• NI-DAQmx examples for Measurement Studio-supported languages are in the following
directories:

– NI-DAQ\Examples\MStudioVCxxxx

• Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) examples for Visual Basic are in the following two
directories:

– NI-DAQ\Examples\DotNETx.x

• NI-DAQmx examples for ANSI C are in the NI-DAQ\Examples\DAQmx ANSI C
directory

For additional examples, refer to ni.com/examples.

1-8 | ni.com

I/O Connector

This chapter contains information about the AO Series I/O connectors.

Note Some hardware accessories may not yet reflect the NI-DAQmx terminal

names. If you are using an AO Series device in Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy), refer
to Table 2-1 for the Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) signal names.

68-Pin AO I/O Connector Pinouts

Figure 2-1, Figure 2-2, and Figure 2-3 show the pinouts of 68-pin AO Series devices.

2

© National Instruments | 2-1

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

FREQ OUT

CTR 0 OUT

PFI 9/CTR 0 GATE

D GND

PFI 6/AO START TRIG

PFI 5/AO SAMP CLK

D GND

+5 V

D GND

PFI 1

PFI 0

D GND

D GND

+5 V

D GND

P0.6

P0.1

D GND

P0.4

AO EXT REF

AO 1

AO 0

AO GND

AO GND

AO 3

AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO GND

D GND

PFI 8/CTR 0 SOURCE

PFI 7

CTR 1 OUT

PFI 4/CTR 1 GATE

PFI 3/CTR 1 SOURCE

PFI 2

D GND

D GND

D GND

EXT STROBE

NC

P0.3

P0.7

P0.2

D GND

P0.5

P0.0

D GND

AO GND

AO GND

AO GND

AO 2

AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

NC

1 35

2 36

337

4 38

5 39

640

741

8 42

943

10 44

11 45

12 46

13 47

14 48

15 49

16 50

17 51

18 52

19 53

20 54

21 55

22 56

23 57

24 58

25 59

26 60

27 61

28 62

29 63

3

064

316

5

3266

33 67

3

468

NC = No Connect

2-2 | ni.com

Figure 2-1. NI 6711/6731 68-Pin AO I/O Connector Pinout

Figure 2-2. NI 6713/DAQCard-6715/NI 6733 68-Pin AO I/O Connector Pinout

FREQ OUT

CTR 0 OUT

PFI 9/CTR 0 GATE

D GND

PFI 6/AO START TRIG

PFI 5/AO SAMP CLK

D GND

+5 V

D GND

PFI 1

PFI 0

D GND

D GND

+5 V

D GND

P0.6

P0.1

D GND

P0.4

AO EXT REF

AO 1

AO 0

AO GND

AO GND

AO 3

AO GND

AO GND

AO 5

AO GND

AO 6

AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO GND

D GND

PFI 8/CTR 0 SOURCE

PFI 7

CTR 1 OUT

PFI 4/CTR 1 GATE

PFI 3/CTR 1 SOURCE

PFI 2

D GND

D GND

D GND

EXT STROBE

NC

P0.3

P0.7

P0.2

D GND

P0.5

P0.0

D GND

AO GND

AO GND

AO GND

AO 2

AO GND

AO GND

AO 4

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

AO 7

AO GND

AO GND

NC

1 35

2 36

337

4 38

5 39

640

741

8 42

943

10 44

11 45

12 46

13 47

14 48

15 49

16 50

17 51

18 52

19 53

20 54

21 55

22 56

23 57

24 58

25 59

26 60

27 61

28 62

29 63

3

064

316

5

3266

33 67

3

468

NC = No Connect

TitleShort-Hidden (cross reference text)

© National Instruments | 2-3

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

Figure 2-3. NI 6722 68-Pin AO I/O Connector Pinout

NC

AO GND

AO GND

AO 7

AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO 4

AO GND

AO GND

AO 2

AO GND

AO GND

AO GND

D GND

P0.0

P0.5

D GND

P0.2

P0.7

P0.3

NC

EXT STROBE

D GND

PFI 2

PFI 3/CTR 1 SOURCE

PFI 4/CTR 1 GATE

CTR 1 OUT

D GND

PFI 7

PFI 8/CTR 0 SOURCE

D GND

D GND

3468

AO GND

3367

NC

3266

AO GND

3165

AO GND

3064

AO 6

2963

AO GND

2862

AO 5

2761

AO GND

2660

AO GND

2559

AO 3

2458

AO GND

2357

AO GND

2256
55

54

53

52

51

50

49

48

47

46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

AO 0

21

AO 1

20

CAL

19

P0.4

18

D GND

17

P0.1

16

P0.6

15

D GND

14

+5 V

13

D GND

12

D GND

11

PFI 0

10

PFI 1

9

D GND

8

+5 V

7

D GND

6

PFI 5/AO SAMP CLK

5

PFI 6/AO START TRIG

4

D GND

PFI 9/CTR 0 GATE

3

CTR 0 OUT

2

FREQ OUT

1

TERMINAL 34TERMINAL 68

TERMINAL 1TERMINAL 35

NC = No Connect

For a detailed description of each signal, refer to I/O Connector Signal Descriptions.

2-4 | ni.com

TitleShort-Hidden (cross reference text)

68-68-Pin Extended AO I/O Connector Pinout

The NI 6723 has two 68-pin I/O connectors. Figure 2-4 shows the pin assignments for both
connectors on the NI 6723.

Figure 2-4. NI 6723 68-68-Pin Extended AO I/O Connector Pinout

AO 0–7 & DIGITAL Connector

AO 8–31 Connector

AO GND

AO GND

AO 7

AO GND

AO GND

AO GND

AO 4

AO GND

AO GND

AO 2

AO GND

AO GND

AO GND

D GND

P0.0

P0.5

D GND

P0.2

P0.7

P0.3

EXT STROBE

D GND

PFI 3/CTR 1 SOURCE

PFI 8/CTR 0 SOURCE

PFI 2

PFI 4/CTR 1 GATE

CTR 1 OUT

D GND

PFI 7

D GND

D GND

3468

NC

NC

NC

AO GND

3367

NC

3266

AO GND

3165

AO GND

3064

AO 6

2963

AO GND

2862

AO 5

2761

AO GND

2660

AO GND

2559

AO 3

2458

AO GND

2357

AO GND

2256

AO 0

2155

AO 1

2054

CAL

1953

P0.4

1852

D GND

1751

P0.1

1650

P0.6

1549

D GND

1448

+5 V

1347

D GND

1246

D GND

1145

PFI 0

1044

PFI 1

943

D GND

842

+5 V

741

D GND

640

PFI 5/AO SAMP CLK

539

PFI 6/AO START TRIG

438

D GND

337

PFI 9/CTR 0 GATE

236

CTR 0 OUT

FREQ OUT

135

AO 8
AO GND

AO GND

AO 11
AO GND
AO GND

AO 14

AO GND

AO GND

AO 17
AO GND

AO GND

AO 20

AO GND

AO GND

AO 23

AO GND

AO GND

AO 26

AO GND
AO GND

AO 29

AO GND
AO GND

3468

AO GND
AO 9

3367

3266

AO 10

3165

AO GND

3064

AO 12
AO 13

2963

AO GND

2862

AO 15

2761

AO 16

2660

AO GND

2559

AO 18

2458

AO 19

2357

2256

NC

NC

NC

NC
NC
NC

NC
NC
NC

NC

NC

2155

AO GND
AO 21

2054

1953

AO 22

1852

AO GND

1751

AO 24

1650

AO 25
AO GND

1549

1448

AO 27

AO 28

1347

AO GND

1246

AO 30

1145

AO 31

1044

NC

943

NC

842

NC

741

NC

640

NC

539

NC

438

NC

337

NC

236

NC

135

TERMINAL 68

TERMINAL 35

TERMINAL 34

TERMINAL 1

NC = No Connect

For a detailed description of each signal, refer to I/O Connector Signal Descriptions.

Terminal Name Equivalents

With NI-DAQmx, National Instruments has revised its terminal names so they are easier to
understand and more consistent among National Instruments hardware and software products.
The revised terminal names used in this document are usually similar to the names they replace.
Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) terminal names and their
NI-DAQmx equivalents.

© National Instruments | 2-5

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

Table 2-1. Terminal Name Equivalents.

Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) NI-DAQmx

ACH# AI #

ACH# + AI # +

ACH# - AI # -

ACHGND AI GND

AIGND AI GND

AISENSE AI SENSE

AISENSE2 AI SENSE 2

AOGND AO GND

CONVERT* AI CONV CLK or AI CONV

DAC0OUT AO 0

DAC1OUT AO 1

DGND D GND

DIO_# P0.#

DIO# P0.#

DIOA#, DIOB#, DIOC#... P0.#, P1.#, P2.#...

EXTREF AO EXT REF or EXT REF

EXT_STROBE EXT STROBE

FREQ_OUT FREQ OUT or F OUT

GPCTR0_GATE CTR 0 GATE

GPCTR0_OUT CTR 0 OUT

GPCTR0_SOURCE CTR 0 SOURCE or CTR 0 SRC

GPCTR1_GATE CTR 1 GATE

GPCTR1_OUT CTR 1 OUT

GPCTR1_SOURCE CTR 1 SOURCE or CTR 1 SRC

PA#, PB#, PC#... P0.#, P1.#, P2.#...

2-6 | ni.com

TitleShort-Hidden (cross reference text)

Table 2-1. Terminal Name Equivalents. (Continued)

Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) NI-DAQmx

PFI# PFI #

PFI_# PFI #

SCANCLK AI HOLD COMP or AI HOLD

SISOURCE AI Sample Clock Timebase

STARTSCAN AI SAMP CLK or AI SAMP

TRIG1 AI START TRIG or AI START

TRIG2 AI REF TRIG or REF TRIG

UISOURCE AO Sample Clock Timebase

UPDATE AO SAMP CLK or AO SAMP

WFTRIG AO START TRIG or AO START

I/O Connector Signal Descriptions

Table 2-2 describes the signals found on the I/O connectors.

Table 2-2. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions

I/O Connector

Pin

Reference Direction Signal Description

AO GND — — Analog Output Ground—The AO

voltages and the external reference voltage
are referenced to these pins.

AO <0..31> AO GND Output Analog Output channels 0 through

31—These pins supply the voltage outputs
of their respective channels.

D GND — — Digital Ground—These pins supply the

reference for the digital signals at the I/O
connector as well as the +5 VDC supply.

P0.<0..7> D GND Input or

Output

Digital I/O signals—These pins drive and
receive digital signals. P0.6 and P0.7 can
control the up/down signal of Counters 0
and 1, respectively.

© National Instruments | 2-7

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

Table 2-2. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions (Continued)

I/O Connector

Pin

Reference Direction Signal Description

+5 V D GND Output +5 VDC source—These pins provide

+5 V power.

AO EXT REF D GND Input External Reference—This pin is the

external reference input for the AO
circuitry.

AI HOLD COMP D GND Output AI Hold Complete—This pin is used to

control some NI accessories.

EXT STROBE D GND Output External Strobe—This pin is used to

control some NI accessories.

PFI 0 D GND Input PFI 0—As an input for digital signals, this

pin is a general-purpose input terminal.
For an explanation of PFI signals, refer to
the Connecting Timing Signals section.

PFI 1 D GND Input PFI 1—As an input, this is a

general-purpose input terminal.

PFI 2 D GND Input PFI 2—As an input, this pin is a

general-purpose input terminal.

PFI 3/CTR 1
SOURCE

PFI 4/CTR 1
GATE

2-8 | ni.com

D GND Input PFI 3—As an input, this pin is a

general-purpose input terminal. This is the
default input for the Ctr1Source signal.

Output Counter 1 Source Signal—As an output,

this pin emits the selected Ctr1Source
signal. This signal reflects the actual
source signal connected to Counter 1. For
more information, refer to Chapter 5,

Counters.

D GND Input PFI 4—As an input, this pin is a

general-purpose input terminal. This is the
default input for the Ctr1Gate signal.

Output Counter 1 Gate Signal—As an output,

this pin emits the selected Ctr1Gate signal.
This signal reflects the actual gate signal
connected to Counter 1. For more
information, refer to Chapter 5, Counters.

TitleShort-Hidden (cross reference text)

Table 2-2. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions (Continued)

I/O Connector

Pin

Reference Direction Signal Description

CTR 1 OUT D GND Output Counter 1 Output Signal—This pin

emits the Ctr1InternalOutput signal. For
more information, refer to Chapter 5,

Counters.

PFI 5/AO
SAMP CLK

D GND Input PFI 5—As an input, this pin is a

general-purpose input terminal.

Output AO Sample Clock Signal—As an output,

this pin emits the ao/SampleClock signal.
A high-to-low transition of this signal
indicates a new sample is being generated.
For more information, refer to Chapter 3,

Analog Output.

PFI 6/AO START
TRIG

D GND Input PFI 6—As an input, this pin is a

general-purpose input terminal. This is the
default input for the ao/StartTrigger signal.

Output AO Start Trigger Signal—As an output,

this pin emits the ao/StartTrigger signal. A
low-to-high transition of this signal
indicates the start of a generation. For
more information, refer to Chapter 3,

Analog Output.

PFI 7 D GND Input PFI 7—As an input, this pin is a

general-purpose input terminal.

PFI 8/CTR 0
SOURCE

D GND Input PFI 8—As an input, this pin is a

general-purpose input terminal and can
also be used to route signals directly to the
RTSI bus. This is the default input for the
Ctr0Source signal.

Output Counter 0 Source Signal—As an output,

this pin emits the Ctr0Source signal. This
signal reflects the actual source signal
connected to Counter 0. For more
information, refer to Chapter 5, Counters.

© National Instruments | 2-9

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

Table 2-2. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions (Continued)

I/O Connector

Pin

Reference Direction Signal Description

PFI 9/CTR 0
GATE

D GND Input PFI 9—As an input, this pin is a

general-purpose input terminal and can
also be used to route signals directly to the
RTSI bus. This is the default input for the
Ctr0Gate signal.

Output Counter 0 Gate Signal—As an output,

this pin emits the Ctr0Gate signal. This
signal reflects the actual gate signal
connected to Counter 0. For more
information, refer to Chapter 5, Counters.

CTR 0 OUT D GND Input Counter 0 Output Signal—As an input,

this pin can be used to route signals
directly to the RTSI bus. For more
information, refer to Chapter 5, Counters.

Output As an output, this pin emits the

Ctr0InternalOutput signal.

CAL D GND Input Calibration—Voltage input for external

calibration. For more information on using
this signal, refer to the AO Waveform
Calibration Procedure for NI-DAQmx
document by selecting Manual
Calibration Procedures at

calibration

.

ni.com/

FREQ OUT D GND Output Frequency Output Signal—This output

is from the frequency generator. For more
information, refer to Chapter 5, Counters.

Caution Connections that exceed any of the maximum ratings of input or output

signals on the AO Series device can damage the device and the computer. Refer to
the specifications document for your device for more information on maximum input
ratings for each signal. NI is not liable for any damage resulting from signal
connections that exceed the maximum ratings.

+5 V Power Source

The +5 V pins on the I/O connector supply +5 V power. You can use these pins, referenced to
D GND, to power external circuitry. A self-resetting fuse protects the supply from overcurrent

2-10 | ni.com