National Instruments NI 6711, NI 6722, NI 6723, NI 6731, NI 6733 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

June 2007
370735E-01

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The NI 6711/6713, NI DAQCard-6715, NI 6722/6723, and NI 6731/6733 are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a
period of one year from the date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair
or replace equipment that proves to be defective during the warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.

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Determining FCC Class

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rules to protect wireless communications from interference. The FCC
places digital electronics into two classes. These classes are known as Class A (for use in industrial-commercial locations only)
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electronics emit weak signals during normal operation that can affect radio, television, or other wireless products.

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Consult the FCC Web site at

FCC/DOC Warnings

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions
in this manual and the CE marking Declaration of Conformity*, may cause interference to radio and television reception.
Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Department
of Communications (DOC).

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by NI could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the
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Class A

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This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated
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www.fcc.gov for more information.

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and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.

* The CE marking Declaration of Conformity contains important supplementary information and instructions for the user or

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ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line,

Contents

About This Manual

Conventions ...................................................................................................................ix

Related Documentation..................................................................................................x

Chapter 1
DAQ System Overview

DAQ Hardware ..............................................................................................................1-2

DAQ-STC........................................................................................................1-2

Calibration Circuitry........................................................................................1-3

Internal or Self-Calibration ...............................................................1-3

External Calibration ..........................................................................1-3

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

Using Accessories with Devices .....................................................................1-4

Custom Cabling ...............................................................................................1-6

Field Wiring Considerations............................................................................1-6

Programming Devices in Software ................................................................................1-7

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 ..........................................................................................2-7

I/O Connector Signal Descriptions ................................................................................2-9

+5 V Power Source ........................................................................................................2-12

Chapter 3
Analog Output

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

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

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

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

AO Sample Clock .............................................................................3-2

Reference Selection...........................................................................3-2

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

Reference Selection (NI 6711/6713/DAQCard-6715 and

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

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

© National Instruments Corporation v Analog Output Series User Manual

Contents

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

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

Software-Timed Generations............................................................3-4

Hardware-Timed Generations .......................................................... 3-4

Analog Output Triggering ............................................................................................. 3-5

Connecting Analog Output Signals ............................................................................... 3-6

Waveform Generation Timing Signals.......................................................................... 3-6

Waveform Generation Timing Summary ....................................................... 3-6

AO Start Trigger Signal .................................................................................. 3-7

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

Outputting the AO Start Trigger Signal ...........................................3-7

AO Pause Trigger Signal ................................................................................3-8

Using a Digital Source...................................................................... 3-8

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

Using an Internal Source .................................................................. 3-9

Using an External Source ................................................................. 3-9

Outputting the AO Sample Clock Signal ......................................... 3-9

Other Timing Requirements ............................................................. 3-10

AO Sample Clock Timebase Signal................................................................ 3-11

Master Timebase Signal.................................................................................. 3-11

Getting Started with AO Applications in Software....................................................... 3-12

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 ................................................................................................................4-5

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

Connecting Digital I/O Signals ..................................................................................... 4-6

Getting Started with DIO Applications in Software...................................................... 4-7

Analog Output Series User Manual vi ni.com

Chapter 5
Counters

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

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

Getting Started with Counter Applications in Software ................................................5-10

Chapter 6

Contents

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

Pause Trigger...................................................................................................5-2

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

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

Counter 0 Gate Signal .....................................................................................5-4

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

CTR 0 OUT Pin ................................................................................5-6

Counter 0 Up/Down Signal .............................................................................5-6

Counter 1 Source Signal..................................................................................5-7

Counter 1 Gate Signal .....................................................................................5-7

Counter 1 Internal Output Signal ....................................................................5-8

Counter 1 Up/Down Signal .............................................................................5-9

Frequency Output Signal.................................................................................5-9

Master Timebase Signal ..................................................................................5-9

Programmable Function Interfaces (PFI)

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

Outputs...........................................................................................................................6-2

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 ...................................................................................8-4

© National Instruments Corporation vii Analog Output Series User Manual

Contents

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

Appendix A
Device-Specific Information

Appendix B
Troubleshooting

Appendix C
Technical Support and Professional Services

Glossary

Index

Analog Output Series User Manual viii ni.com

About This Manual

This manual contains information about using the National Instruments

Analog Output (AO) Series devices with NI-DAQ 7.x or later. If you have

not already installed your device, refer to the DAQ Getting Started Guide.

Conventions

The following conventions appear in this manual:

<> 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 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 Read Me First: Safety and Radio-Frequency

Interference document for information about precautions to take.

When symbol is marked on a product, it denotes a warning advising you to

take precautions to avoid electrical shock.

When symbol is marked on a product, it denotes a component that may be

hot. Touching this component may result in bodily injury.

bold Bold 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.

italic Italic 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.

monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the

keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.

© National Instruments Corporation ix Analog Output Series User Manual

About This Manual

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.

Platform Text in this font denotes a specific platform and indicates that the text

following it applies only to that platform.

Related Documentation

Each application software package and driver includes information about
writing applications for taking measurements and controlling measurement
devices. The following references to documents assume you have
NI-DAQ 7.x or later, and where applicable, version 7.0 or later of the
NI application software.

NI-DAQ for Windows

The DAQ Getting Started Guide describes how to install your NI-DAQmx
for Windows software, how to install your NI-DAQmx-supported DAQ
device, and how to confirm that your device is operating properly. Select

Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»DAQ Getting
Started Guide.

The NI-DAQ Readme lists which devices are supported by this version of
NI-DAQ. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»
NI-DAQ Readme.

The NI-DAQmx Help contains general information about measurement
concepts, key NI-DAQmx concepts, and common applications that are
applicable to all programming environments. Select Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx Help.

The Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) User Manual contains an API overview
and general information about measurement concepts. Select Start»All

Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»Traditional NI-DAQ
(Legacy) User Manual.

NI-DAQmx for Linux

The DAQ Getting Started Guide describes how to install your
NI-DAQmx-supported DAQ device and confirm that your device is
operating properly.

Analog Output Series User Manual x ni.com

Note All NI-DAQmx documentation for Linux is installed at /usr/local/natinst/

nidaqmx/docs

NI-DAQmx Base

About This Manual

The NI-DAQ Readme for Linux lists supported devices and includes

software installation instructions, frequently asked questions, and known

issues.

The C Function Reference Help describes functions and attributes.

The NI-DAQmx for Linux Configuration Guide provides configuration

instructions, templates, and instructions for using test panels.

.

The NI-DAQmx Base Getting Started Guide describes how to install your

NI-DAQmx Base software, your NI-DAQmx Base-supported DAQ device,

and how to confirm that your device is operating properly. Select Start»All

Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx Base»Documentation»

Getting Started Guide.

Getting Started with NI-DAQmx Base for Linux and Mac Users describes

how to install your NI-DAQmx Base software, your NI-DAQmx

Base-supported DAQ device, and how to confirm that your device is

operating properly on your Mac/Linux machine.

The NI-DAQmx Base Readme lists which devices are supported by this

version of NI-DAQmx Base. Select Start»All Programs»National

Instruments»NI-DAQmx Base»DAQmx Base Readme.

The NI-DAQmx Base VI Reference Help contains VI reference and general

information about measurement concepts. In LabVIEW, select Help»

NI-DAQmx Base VI Reference Help.

The NI-DAQmx Base C Reference Help contains C reference and general

information about measurement concepts. Select Start»All Programs»

National Instruments»NI-DAQmx Base»Documentation»C Function

Reference Help.

Note All NI-DAQmx Base documentation for Mac OS X is installed at /Applications/

National Instruments/NI-DAQmx Base/Documentation

© National Instruments Corporation xi Analog Output Series User Manual

.

About This Manual

LabVIEW

If you are a new user, use the Getting Started with LabVIEW manual
to familiarize yourself with the LabVIEW graphical programming
environment and the basic LabVIEW features you use to build data
acquisition and instrument control applications. Open the Getting Started

with LabVIEW manual by selecting Start»All Programs»National
Instruments»LabVIEW»LabVIEW Manuals or by navigating to the

labview\manuals directory and opening LV_Getting_Started.pdf.

Use the LabVIEW Help, available by selecting Help»Search the
LabVIEW Help in LabVIEW, to access information about LabVIEW

programming concepts, step-by-step instructions for using LabVIEW, and
reference information about LabVIEW VIs, functions, palettes, menus, and
tools. Refer to the following locations on the Contents tab of the LabVIEW
Help for information about NI-DAQmx:

• Getting Started»Getting Started with DAQ—Includes overview

information and a tutorial to learn how to take an NI-DAQmx
measurement in LabVIEW using the DAQ Assistant.

• VI and Function Reference»Measurement I/O VIs and
Functions—Describes the LabVIEW NI-DAQmx VIs and properties.

• Taking Measurements—Contains the conceptual and how-to
information you need to acquire and analyze measurement data in
LabVIEW, including common measurements, measurement
fundamentals, NI-DAQmx key concepts, and device considerations.

LabWindows/CVI

The Data Acquisition book of the LabWindows/CVI Help contains
measurement concepts for NI-DAQmx. This book also contains Taking
an NI-DAQmx Measurement in LabWindows/CVI, which includes
step-by-step instructions about creating a measurement task using the DAQ
Assistant. In LabWindows™/CVI™, select Help»Contents, then select
Using LabWindows/CVI»Data Acquisition.

The NI-DAQmx Library book of the LabWindows/CVI Help contains
API overviews and function reference for NI-DAQmx. Select Library
Reference»NI-DAQmx Library in the LabWindows/CVI Help.

Measurement Studio

If you program your NI-DAQmx-supported device in Measurement Studio
using Visual C++, Visual C#, or Visual Basic .NET, you can interactively
create channels and tasks by launching the DAQ Assistant from MAX or

Analog Output Series User Manual xii ni.com

About This Manual

from within Visual Studio .NET. You can generate the configuration code
based on your task or channel in Measurement Studio. Refer to the DAQ
Assistant Help for additional information about generating code. You also
can create channels and tasks, and write your own applications in your
ADE using the NI-DAQmx API.

For help with NI-DAQmx methods and properties, refer to the NI-DAQmx
.NET Class Library or the NI-DAQmx Visual C++ Class Library included
in the NI Measurement Studio Help. For general help with programming in
Measurement Studio, refer to the NI Measurement Studio Help, which is
fully integrated with the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET help. To view
this help file in Visual Studio. NET, select Measurement Studio»
NI Measurement Studio Help.

The Measurement Studio Reference contains the Traditional NI-DAQ
(Legacy) API overview, measurement concepts, and function reference. In
Visual Studio .NET, select Measurement Studio»Measurement Studio
Reference.

To create an application in Visual C++, Visual C#, or Visual Basic .NET,
follow these general steps:

1. In Visual Studio .NET, select File»New»Project to launch the New

Project dialog box.

2. Find the Measurement Studio folder for the language you want to
create a program in.

3. Choose a project type. You add DAQ tasks as a part of this step.

ANSI C without NI Application Software

The Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) User Manual and the NI-DAQmx Help
contain API overviews. The NI-DAQmx Help also contains general
information about measurement concepts. The Traditional NI-DAQ
(Legacy) Function Reference Help and the NI-DAQmx C Reference Help
describe the C functions and attributes. Select Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI-DAQ and the document title for the NI-DAQ
API you are using.

.NET Languages without NI Application Software

With the Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1 or later, you can use
NI-DAQmx to create applications using Visual C# and Visual Basic .NET
without Measurement Studio. You need Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
2003 or Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 for the API documentation to be
installed.

© National Instruments Corporation xiii Analog Output Series User Manual

About This Manual

The installed documentation contains the NI-DAQmx API overview,
measurement tasks and concepts, and function reference. This help is fully
integrated into the Visual Studio .NET documentation. To view the
NI-DAQmx .NET documentation, go to Start»Programs»National

Instruments»NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx .NET Reference Help. Expand
NI Measurement Studio Help»NI Measurement Studio .NET
Class Library»Reference to view the function reference. Expand
NI Measurement Studio Help»NI Measurement Studio .NET Class
Library»Using the Measurement Studio .NET Class Libraries to view

conceptual topics for using NI-DAQmx with Visual C# and Visual Basic
.NET.

To get to the same help topics from within Visual Studio, go to Help»
Contents. Select Measurement Studio from the Filtered By drop-down
list and follow the previous instructions.

Device Documentation and Specifications

The NI 6711/6713/DAQCard-6715 Specifications contains all
specifications for the NI 6711, NI 6713, and NI DAQCard-6715 AO Series
devices.

Training Courses

The NI 6722/6723 Specifications contains all specifications for the NI 6722
and NI 6723 AO Series devices.

The NI 6731/6733 Specifications contains all specifications for the NI 6731
and NI 6733 AO Series devices.

NI-DAQmx includes the Device Document Browser, which contains online
documentation for supported DAQ and SCXI devices, such as documents
describing device pinouts, features, and operation. You can find, view,
and/or print the documents for each device using the Device Document
Browser at any time by inserting the CD. After installing the Device
Document Browser, device documents are accessible from Start»

All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»Browse Device
Documentation.

If you need more help getting started developing an application with NI
products, NI offers training courses. To enroll in a course or obtain a
detailed course outline, refer to

ni.com/training.

Analog Output Series User Manual xiv ni.com

Technical Support on the Web

For additional support, refer to ni.com/support or zone.ni.com.

Note You can download these documents at ni.com/manuals.

DAQ specifications and some DAQ manuals are available as PDFs. You
must have Adobe Acrobat Reader with Search and Accessibility 5.0.5 or
later installed to view the PDFs. Refer to the Adobe Systems Incorporated
Web site at
National Instruments Product Manuals Library at
updated documentation resources.

www.adobe.com to download Acrobat Reader. Refer to the

About This Manual

ni.com/manuals for

© National Instruments Corporation xv Analog Output Series User Manual

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.

3

2

+
V

–

1

4

+

HV

–

1

+

–

1 Sensors and Transducers
2 Terminal Block Accessory
3 Cable Assembly

© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 Analog Output Series User Manual

+

mV

–

4DAQ Device
5 Personal Computer

Figure 1-1. DAQ System Setup

5

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

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.

Analog Output

I/O Connector

DAQ-STC

Digital I/O

Counters

PFI

Digital

Routing

RTSI

Figure 1-2. Analog Output Block Diagram

Bus

Interface

Bus

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,

Analog Output Series User Manual 1-2 ni.com

Calibration Circuitry

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

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.

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.

© National Instruments Corporation 1-3 Analog Output Series User Manual

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

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 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

• RTSI bus cables

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

ni.com/calibration.

For more specific information about these products, refer to

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

Using Accessories with Devices

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

Device

NI 6711/6713 SH68-68-EP BNC-2110

NI DAQCard-6715 SHC68-68-EP

Cables Terminal Blocks

SHC68U-68-EP

ni.com.

Accessories

CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68
TB-68

BNC-2110
CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68
TB-68

Analog Output Series User Manual 1-4 ni.com

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

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

Accessories

Device

NI 6722 SH68-C68-S (shielded)

RC68-68 (unshielded)

Cables Terminal Blocks

BNC-2110
CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68
TB-68

NI 6723 (AO 0–7 &
DIGITAL
connector)

SH68-C68-S (shielded) BNC-2110

CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68
TB-68

NI 6723 (AO 8–31
connector)

SH68-C68-S (shielded) BNC-2115

CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68
TB-68

NI 6731/6733 SH68-68-EP BNC-2110

CB-68LP
CB-68LPR
SCB-68
TB-68

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

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

SCB-68 68-pin, shielded screw terminal block with

breadboard areas

TB-68 68-pin, DIN rail-mountable screw terminal

block

© National Instruments Corporation 1-5 Analog Output Series User Manual

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

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

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

digital halves of the cable. Failure to do so results in noise coupling
into the analog signals from transient digital signals.

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
enter the info code

rdsmbm.

ni.com/info and

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.

Analog Output Series User Manual 1-6 ni.com

• 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

ni.com/info and enter the info code rdfwin.

Programming Devices in Software

National Instruments measurement devices are packaged with NI-DAQ
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-DAQ 7.x includes two NI-DAQ drivers, Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy)
and NI-DAQmx. Each driver has its own API, hardware configuration, and
software configuration. Refer to the DAQ Getting Started Guide for more
information about the two drivers.

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) and NI-DAQmx each include 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:

– MeasurementStudio\VCNET\Examples\NIDaq

– MeasurementStudio\DotNET\Examples\NIDaq

© National Instruments Corporation 1-7 Analog Output Series User Manual

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

• Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) examples for Visual Basic are in the

• NI-DAQmx examples for ANSI C are in the

• Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) examples for ANSI C are in the

following two directories:

–

NI-DAQ\Examples\Visual Basic with Measurement

Studio

directory contains a link to the ActiveX control examples

for use with Measurement Studio

–

NI-DAQ\Examples\VBasic directory contains the examples not

associated with Measurement Studio

NI-DAQ\Examples\

DAQmx ANSI C Dev

NI-DAQ\Examples\VisualC directory

directory

For additional examples, refer to

zone.ni.com.

Analog Output Series User Manual 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 Corporation 2-1 Analog Output Series User Manual

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

AO 3

AO GND

AO GND

AO 0

AO 1

AO EXT REF

P0.4

D GND

P0.1

P0.6

D GND

+5 V

D GND

D GND

PFI 0

PFI 1

D GND

+5 V

D GND

PFI 5/AO SAMP CLK

PFI 6/AO START TRIG

D GND

PFI 9/CTR 0 GATE

CTR 0 OUT

FREQ OUT

3468

33 67

3266

3165

3064

29 63

28 62

27 61

26 60

25 59

24 58

23 57

22 56

21 55

20 54

19 53

18 52

17 51

16 50

15 49

14 48

13 47

12 46

11 45

10 44

943

842

741

640

5 39

4 38

337

2 36

1 35

NC

AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO GND

NC

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

NC = No Connect

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

Analog Output Series User Manual 2-2 ni.com

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

AO 6

AO GND

AO 5

AO GND

AO GND

AO 3

AO GND

AO GND

AO 0

AO 1

AO EXT REF

P0.4

D GND

P0.1

P0.6

D GND

+5 V

D GND

D GND

PFI 0

PFI 1

D GND

+5 V

D GND

PFI 5/AO SAMP CLK

PFI 6/AO START TRIG

D GND

PFI 9/CTR 0 GATE

CTR 0 OUT

FREQ OUT

3468

33 67

3266

3165

3064

29 63

28 62

27 61

26 60

25 59

24 58

23 57

22 56

21 55

20 54

19 53

18 52

17 51

16 50

15 49

14 48

13 47

12 46

11 45

10 44

943

842

741

640

5 39

4 38

337

2 36

1 35

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

NC = No Connect

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

© National Instruments Corporation 2-3 Analog Output Series User Manual

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

AO 6

AO GND

AO 5

AO GND

AO GND

AO 3

AO GND

AO GND

AO 0

AO 1

CAL

P0.4

D GND

P0.1

P0.6

D GND

+5 V

D GND

D GND

PFI 0

PFI 1

D GND

+5 V

D GND

PFI 5/AO SAMP CLK

PFI 6/AO START TRIG

D GND

PFI 9/CTR 0 GATE

CTR 0 OUT

FREQ OUT

3468

33 67

3266

3165

3064

29 63

28 62

27 61

26 60

25 59

24 58

23 57

22 56

21 55

20 54

19 53

18 52

17 51

16 50

15 49

14 48

13 47

12 46

11 45

10 44

943

842

741

640

5 39

4 38

337

2 36

1 35

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

NC = No Connect

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

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

Descriptions.

Analog Output Series User Manual 2-4 ni.com

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

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.

© National Instruments Corporation 2-5 Analog Output Series User Manual

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

AO 0–7 & DIGITAL Connector

AO GND

NC

AO GND

AO GND

AO 6

AO GND

AO 5

AO GND

AO GND

AO 3

AO GND

AO GND

AO 0

AO 1

CAL

P0.4

D GND

P0.1

P0.6

D GND

+5 V

D GND

D GND

PFI 0

PFI 1

D GND

+5 V

D GND

PFI 5/AO SAMP CLK

PFI 6/AO START TRIG

D GND

PFI 9/CTR 0 GATE

CTR 0 OUT

FREQ OUT

3468

33 67

266

3

3165

3064

29 63

28 62

27 61

26 60

25 59

24 58

23 57

22 56

21 55

20 54

19 53

18 52

17 51

16 50

15 49

14 48

13 47

12 46

11 45

10 44

943

842

741

640

5 39

4 38

337

2 36

1 35

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

AO 8–31 Connector

AO GND
AO 9

AO 10

AO GND

AO 12
AO 13

AO GND

AO 15

AO 16
AO GND

AO 18
AO 19

NC
AO GND
AO 21

AO 22

AO GND

AO 24

AO 25
AO GND

AO 27

AO 28

AO GND

AO 30

AO 31

NC
NC

NC

NC

NC
NC

NC

NC

NC

3468

33 67

3

266

3165

3064

29 63

28 62

27 61

26 60

25 59

24 58

23 57

22 56

21 55

20 54

19 53

18 52

17 51

16 50

15 49

14 48

13 47

12 46

11 45

10 44

943

842

741

640

5 39

4 38

337

2 36

1 35

AO 8
AO GND

AO GND

AO 11

AO GND

AO GND

AO 14

AO GND

AO GND
AO 17
AO GND

AO GND

NC

AO 20

AO GND

AO GND

AO 23

AO GND

AO GND
AO 26

AO GND

AO GND

AO 29

AO GND

AO GND

NC

NC

NC

NC
NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC = No Connect

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

Analog Output Series User Manual 2-6 ni.com

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.

Table 2-1. Terminal Name Equivalents.

Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) NI-DAQmx

ACH# AI #

ACH# + AI # +

ACH# – AI # –

ACHGND AI GND

Chapter 2 I/O Connector

AIGND AI GND

AISENSE AI SENSE

AISENSE2 AI SENSE 2

AOGND AO G ND

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

© National Instruments Corporation 2-7 Analog Output Series User Manual