National Instruments PXI-4220 PXI Strain/Bridge Input Module

The National Instruments PXI-4220 (Part Number: 778745-4220) is a 16-Bit, 2-Channel, 333 kS/s PXI Strain/Bridge Input Module, which is generally utilized as a comprehensive input module for full-, quarter-, and half-bridge sensors such as load cells, strain, and pressure sensors. This module offers fully programmable excitation, bridge configuration, filtering, and amplification per channel. Moreover, the NI PXI-4220 offers a concurrent sample-and-hold capability to eliminate inter-channel phase delay.

 Each input channel of this module features a 9-pin, D-SUB connector for quick and easy connection to programmable shunts, bridge connectors, and null calibration circuitry to enhance measurement accuracy by eliminating offset and gain errors. With this module, the user can set the voltage excitation magnitude on pins 2 and 7, so the excitation level can easily be adjusted through software. In addition, the user can select a lowpass filter cutoff frequency. The NI PXI-4220 allows the user to choose from 10 or 100 Hz and 1 kHz or 10 kHz to disable the filter. This Input Module comes equipped with a 4-pole Butterworth filter/channel along with up to four software-selectable cutoff frequencies to improve signal accuracy and reduce noise.

 The NI PXI-4220 can utilize either an external time base received through the PXI trigger bus on its PXI clock line or its internal 20 MHz master time base. This module features a PXI trigger bus consisting of 1 x star trigger and 6 x trigger lines. The integrated amplifier can operate at >1 G DC input impedance and ±20 nA max input bias current.

The PXI-4220 is run using the NIDAQmx driver software (version 7.0 or later) which can be programmed with software packages or application development environments (ADEs) such as LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, or Measurement Studio. The NI device measures 6.3 x 3.9 x 0.79 in. in physical dimensions. It has a recommended operating temperature range of 0 to 55 °C, a storage temperature range of –20 to 70 °C, and a non-condensing humidity range of 10 to 90% RH.

PXI-4220 Obsolete Status has been announced by National Instruments, but the module will still be available for purchase and repairs by Apex Waves.