Deterministic Ethernet Product Selection Guide

The Deterministic Ethernet Product Selection Guide is your free online resource for choosing the hardware and software components you need to build your complete deterministic distributed I/O system. This type of system is based on a master/slave architecture that requires a master controller, a slave chassis, NI C Series I/O modules, development software, and accessories.

Visit the CompactRIO Advisor to easily configure and build your NI CompactRIO expansion system. Also, view these CompactRIO bundles to get started with a complete real-time distributed I/O system.

Four Steps to Deterministic Distributed I/O

	Step 1. Select Your Real-Time Master Controller		Step 2. Select Your Expansion Chassis
	Step 3. Select Your C Series I/O Modules		Step 4. Select Your Development Software

Step 1. Select Your Real-Time Master Controller

Use one of the following NI real-time controllers with two Ethernet ports as the master controller for your distributed system:

¹Does not include the NI 8353 RT rack-mount controller.

Step 2. Select Your Expansion Chassis

The NI 9144 expansion chassis adds deterministic Ethernet I/O to your CompactRIO or real-time PXI system. With its two Ethernet ports, you can daisy chain multiple NI 9144 chassis from a single controller to expand their time-critical applications while maintaining hard determinism with minimal processor resources. With a temperature range of -40 to 70 °C and 50 g shock ratings, this rugged chassis is designed for industrial applications.

Figure 1. NI 9144 Expansion Chassis

Related Links
NI 9144 Expansion Chassis
Deterministic Ethernet I/O

Step 3. Select Your C Series I/O Modules

Because the NI 9144 chassis is an eight-slot modular expansion system, you have the flexibility to incorporate more measurement types and channels by plugging in additional I/O modules. Plus, attaching another expansion chassis adds even more module slots for your system. Not only are all I/O modules automatically synchronized in each chassis, but all the expansion chassis in the network are synchronized with each other as well.

The NI 9144 expansion chassis is compatible with all C Series modules that are programmable with the NI LabVIEW FPGA Module. Also, you can program more than 40 analog and digital C Series modules with the easy-to-use CompactRIO Scan Mode in the LabVIEW Real-Time Module. For a full list of modules, see the C Series Module Compatibility Chart.

Figure 2. C Series I/O Modules with Sensor-Specific Connectors, Built-In Signal Conditioning, and High-Performance A/D Converters

Related Links
C Series Module Compatibility Chart
Connector Blocks and Accessories for C Series Modules

Step 4. Select Your Development Software

The LabVIEW graphical development environment is designed for engineers and scientists who need to create flexible and scalable test, measurement, and control applications rapidly and at minimal cost. The intuitive graphical development environment provides all the software tools you need for easily adding deterministic distributed I/O to your system. The LabVIEW Real-Time Module offers easy access to the physical channels using the click-and-drag I/O variable, live test panels, and I/O forcing for troubleshooting. The LabVIEW FPGA Module helps you program the field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) on the NI 9144 and its modules for high-speed and customizable I/O timing, triggering, and control.

Figure 3. NI LabVIEW Graphical Development Environment

Table 1. Supported LabVIEW and Driver Versions

Related Links
What Is LabVIEW for Industrial Measurements and Control?
Try LabVIEW
LabVIEW Real-Time Software

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