National Instruments PXIe-6378 PXI Multifunction I/O Module

The PXIe-6378 (Part Number: 781476-01) from National Instruments is a multipurpose DAQ device designed for a range of industrial uses. It offers precise timing functionality, including independent analog and digital timing engines and retriggerable measurement jobs, thanks to its superior NI-STC3 timing and synchronization technology. This device has four 32-bit counters, digital and analog I/O, and a wide range of other functions.

Due to versatility, it can be used for a wide range of applications in high-energy physics as well as IF digitization, transient recording, telecom manufacturing tests (e.g., ISDN, ADSL, POTS), ultrasonic and sonar testing, and more. The analog input section can sample data at a maximum of 3.571 MS/s and has 16 differential channels with 16-bit resolution. It offers protection against overvoltage up to ±36 V and enables several input ranges (-10 V to +10 V).

A 100 MHz timebase is provided by the PXIe-6378 for accurate timing, which guarantees quicker triggering response and more exact sample clock generation. A 50 ppm precision of the sample rate is achieved with a timing resolution of 10 ns. The accuracy of analog triggering is ±1% of the range, and it may be used in multiple trigger modes such as analog edge and analog window. It moreover supports APFI and AI inputs and has one analog trigger source.

With regard to analog output, the apparatus provides four channels at a maximum update rate of 3.3 MS/s, each representing 16-bit resolution. The output ranges are external references, ±5 V, and ±10 V. Moreover, the AO section has features like a slew rate of 20 V/µs and a settling time of 2 µs for full-scale step. Digital I/O/PFI features 48 channels with individual direction control for each terminal.

For effective data transfer, the PXIe-6378 has on-board FIFO buffers that support both programmed I/O and DMA (scatter-gather) techniques. For simple setup and measurements, it also includes the NI-DAQmx driver and configuration application.