USB Product Selection Guide

USB devices are ideal for a variety of applications from simple data logging and measurements to I/O for embedded OEM systems. As a result, National Instruments USB products range from low-cost, single-function devices to high-performance modular systems optimized for specific types of applications.

National Instruments ships all of its USB DAQ devices with NI-DAQmx driver software and the new NI LabVIEW SignalExpress LE, an interactive measurement workbench for quickly acquiring, analyzing, and presenting data with no programming required. The NI-DAQmx driver also provides time-saving features such as code generation for both LabVIEW and text-based languages; more than 3,000 measurement examples; device simulation; connection diagrams; and compatibility with LabVIEW as well as Microsoft ANSI C/C++, C#, Visual Basic .NET, and Visual Basic 6.0.

The combination of plug-and-play USB hardware and easy-to-use software provides a high-performance, portable solution for applications including measurement and monitoring.

The following sections present the unique features of each NI USB product category.

Low-Cost USB Multifunction DAQ

• Bus-Powered, Compact form factor

Low-cost National Instruments USB data acquisition (DAQ) devices provide basic functionality for applications such as simple data logging, portable measurements, and academic lab experiments. They are affordable enough for student use yet powerful enough for general measurements. NI USB-6008 and USB-6009 multifunction DAQ devices feature eight analog inputs; up to 14-bit input resolution at up to 48 kS/s; two analog outputs; 12 digital I/O lines; a 32-bit counter; and driver software for Windows, Mac OS, Linux®, and Pocket PC.

For faster sampling, more accurate measurements, and a higher channel count, consider the bus-powered and externally powered M Series multifunction DAQ devices for USB. Board-only versions are available for OEM applications.

Low-Cost USB Data Acquisition – Products and Services 

USB M Series Multifunction DAQ, Bus-Powered

• Up to 32 16-bit analog inputs at up to 400 kS/s
• Up to two 16-bit analog outputs at 250 kS/s
• Up to 32 digital I/O
• Digital triggering
• Bus isolation available
• Compact bus-powered form factor

National Instruments USB-621x bus-powered USB M Series multifunction DAQ devices are optimized for superior accuracy at fast sampling rates. They feature an up to 400 kS/s sampling rate; two analog outputs; up to 32 digital I/O lines; four programmable input ranges (±0.2 to ±10 V) per channel; and two counter/timers. The NI USB-6215 and USB-6218 also feature isolation for improved measurement accuracy and safety. USB-621x modules are designed specifically for performance mobile or space-constrained applications. Bus-powered USB means that you can discard unnecessary external power supplies. Driver software support is provided for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux®. Board-only versions are available for OEM applications.

Bus-Powered M Series Multifunction DAQ for USB – Products and Services 

High-Performance USB M Series Multifunction DAQ, Externally Powered

• Up to 80 16-bit analog inputs at up to 1.25 MS/s
• Up to four 16-bit analog outputs at up to 2.86 MS/s
• Analog and digital triggering
• Up to 48 digital I/O, up to 32 correlated (clocked)
• BNC, screw, or 68-pin SCSI connectivity
• Metal enclosure

The M Series is the next generation of multifunction DAQ devices from National Instruments, delivering technologies such as the NI-STC 2 system controller, the NI-PGIA 2 amplifier, and NI-MCal calibration technology to provide more performance, more accuracy, and more I/O than other data acquisition devices. High-performance M Series devices can sample at up to 1.25 MS/s on up to 80 channels; have 32 clocked digital I/O for waveform generation and acquisition; up to four analog outputs at up to 2.86 MS/s; provide analog and digital triggering; and are available with direct BNC connectivity. Driver software support is provided for Windows, and board-only versions are available for OEM applications.

USB High-Performance M Series Multifunction DAQ – Products and Services 

Specialized Instruments for USB

• 6½-digit digital multimeter (DMM)
• 50 MHz to 6 GHz RF power meter with true RMS power measurements
• 50 and 100 MS/s high-speed digitizers/oscilloscopes

The lightweight NI USB DMM, RF power meter, and digitizers feature bus-powered, plug-and-play operation ideal for high-performance portable measurements. Their compact size makes them perfect for many benchtop and OEM applications where space is crucial. The NI USB DMM delivers 6½-digit measurements at 10 readings per second and up to 3,000 readings per second at lower resolutions. For high-speed measurements, the NI USB digitizer samples at 100 MS/s on two simultaneous channels. The NI USB RF power meter features -40 to +23 dBm dynamic range at frequencies from 50 MHz to 6 GHz.

USB Instruments – Products and Services 

Signal Conditioning

C Series and SCXI

Signal conditioning is necessary for improved accuracy and connectivity, isolation, and most high-voltage and sensor measurements. NI USB-9xxx C Series modules with USB carriers have integrated signal conditioning, while the NI SCXI-1600 data acquisition module provides a plug-and-play USB interface for high-channel-count sensor measurement systems. Both the C Series modules and SCXI platform offer direct connectivity to sensors and signals via screw terminals, BNC, or other sensor-specific connections. The C Series modules with USB carriers are bus-powered, while the SCXI-1600 runs on external or battery power.

NI C Series USB Single Module Carrier – Products and Services 
SCXI – USB Data Acquisition and Switching System 

NI CompactDAQ

NI CompactDAQ offers a USB-based portable, modular data acquisition system with more than 10 modules to choose from for your measurements, including temperature, vibration, and strain. NI CompactDAQ uses the same C Series modules used in individual USB-9xxx modules.

NI CompactDAQ USB Data Acquisition System – Products and Services 

USB Digital I/O

• Up to 96 lines of software-timed digital I/O
• Up to 60 VDC continuous channel-to-channel isolation

National Instruments USB digital I/O devices provide superior features for data acquisition, test, and industrial control. They offer up to 96 bits of parallel digital I/O, 60 V CAT I isolation, solid-state relays, and built-in signal conditioning. Choose from a variety of connectivity options, including mass termination, D-Sub, or screw terminals for strain relief.

Isolated channels break ground loops and offer protection from noise and spikes on external signals. Combined with solid-state relay outputs, these industrial digital I/O devices are ideal for controlling pumps, valves, motors, and other industrial actuators.

USB Digital I/O – Products and Services 

USB DAQ for OEM

• Board only
• Lower cost (30 percent discount for a quantity of 100 or higher)
• 34- and 50-pin IDC connectors for easy connectivity
• 30-day evaluation kits available
• Register-level programming and documentation available

By providing competitive quantity discount pricing and top-notch application support, National Instruments is a leading worldwide OEM supplier of data acquisition and other measurement and automation products. NI recognizes that OEMs have different needs from end-user customers. OEMs need cost-effective, high-quality stable products and experienced support that helps them get to market faster and stay there longer. A market leader in PC-based data acquisition and modular instrumentation, NI offers the most complete family of data acquisition and I/O devices for PCI, PCI Express, CompactPCI, PXI, PCMCIA, USB, and CompactFlash, with OEM drivers for Windows, Win CE, Mac OS X, Linux, and other OSs. For custom designs, NI data acquisition products can also be incorporated by licensing hardware designs.

USB DAQ Solutions for OEMs – Products and Services 

USB Instrument Control

• USB to GPIB Converter
• USB to Serial Converter

With the GPIB-USB-HS USB-to-GPIB converter, you can communicate with your existing GPIB instruments while taking advantage of the latest Hi-Speed USB PC bus technology. This converter is software-transparent, so you can reuse your existing NI-488.2 applications.

NI also offers USB-to-serial converters to help you communicate with your existing RS232 and RS485 instruments through your USB port. These converters install one, two, or four serial ports natively on your PC, so you can reuse your existing applications.

USB Instrument Control - Products and Services

More USB Resources

USB DAQ
High-Performance USB DAQ eKit
Industrial USB DAQ White Paper
NI Signal Streaming White Paper
USB for Automated Test White Paper
NI M Series Technology

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