National Instruments PCIe-6251 DAQ Board

The PCIe-6251 (Part Number: 779512-01) DAQ Board is part of the M Series by National Instruments. This DAQ Board has 16 single-ended or 8 differential analog input channels with a 16-bit resolution, and maximum sample rates of 1.25 MS/s and 1.00 MS/s for single channels and multiple channels respectively. It has 2 analog output channels with maximum update rates of 2.86 MS/s and 2.00 MS/s for 1 channel and 2 channels respectively, and a 16-bit DAC resolution. Additionally the device is equipped with 24 digital I/O and 8 correlated DIO. The National Instruments PCIe-6251 can be used in several types of applications, including: electronics test, sensor measurements, component characterization, measuring and confirming prototype designs, and relay and actuator control.  For application development in NI LabVIEW, LabVIEW SignalExpress, LabWindows/CVI, and Measurement Studio Software, it is suggested to utilize NI-DAQmx, NI-DAQmx Base, or Measurement Hardware DDK driver software. The PCIe-6251 is not compatible with the Traditional Legacy NI-DAQ driver.

Like the other DAQ Boards in the PCI Express M Series, the PCIe-6251 has six DMA channels to optimize information throughput without utilizing PC processing time. The PCI Express bus provides the highest bandwidth of any PC bus. It additionally eradicates throughput bottlenecks with a 250 MB/s per-direction bandwidth. PCI Express also provides an effortless move to newer hardware with full backward compatibility to software created for applications that utilize PCI.

To maintain the NI PCIe-6251’s accuracy, it is necessary to calibrate the DAQ Board a minimum of every two years. The device should warm up for 15 minutes before beginning the calibration process. The PCIe-6251 can be self-calibrated by launching MAX, then selecting My System-> Devices and Interfaces-> your device. Next, select Self-Calibrate and right-click the device’s name. This board has NI-MCal calibration technology for enhanced measurement preciseness. For more details on calibrating the NI PCIe-6251, the user manual on the apexwaves.com website can be consulted. The device weighs 5.7 oz., and measures 4.2 x 6.1 in. in physical dimensions.

PCIe-6251 Mature Status has been declared by National Instruments, but this board will still be available for purchase and repairs at Apex Waves.