National Instruments Rolls Out Data Acquisition Modules, Data-Logging Software

The move toward software-based test and measurement instrumentation gained momentum recently, as National Instruments rolled out 19 new I/O modules and a new brand of data-logging software.

National Instruments, which has made its name in virtual instrumentation, said that the rollout is consistent with a movement it has dubbed "Instrumentation 2.0," in which test and measurement equipment offers real-time data logging, custom interfaces, modularity, PC connectivity and user-definability.

"We see the industry moving to a software-based approach," notes John Graff, vice president, marketing and investor relations. "When you start looking at multi-core (processors) and FPGAs, there are incredible possibilities for the software-based approach."

CompactDAQ, a USB-based data acquisition module, offers 19 new analog input and output, digital, and relay modules under the new announcement. The additional modules triple the number now available from National Instruments, and provide new options for engineers and scientists who are building their own systems. Options include: +/-20 mA current I/O; high-speed, high-voltage and channel-to-channel isolated analog inputs; RTD sensor inputs; and high-density digital I/O; as well as universal input mode.

By adding LabView SignalExpress data-logging software to the hardware platform, National Instruments says that programming will not be required and measurement time will be shortened. The software and hardware together allow for in-vehicle and portable data logging, in industries such as automotive, aerospace and others, by connecting to a laptop via a USB port.

National Instruments engineers argue that virtual instrumentation has reached a tipping point, and systems such as CompactDAQ and SignalExpress represent the post-tipping-point future of instrumentation. By building atop enabling technologies - such as PCI Express, multi-core processors, and FPGAs - the company says that it empowers designers to customize instrumentation for their own applications.

Moreover, NI engineers say that such software-based instruments become a design tool for engineers by providing device emulation and prototyping capabilities.

"Once you accept that instrumentation is software-based, you open up to the idea that instrumentation becomes an integral part of design," Graff says. "This unifies design and test, and does it in a way that a common engineer can apply."

See video demonstrations of CompactDAQ