National Instruments AMUX-64T User Manual

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National Instruments AMUX-64T User Manual Manual pdf 14 page image

Introduction Chapter 1AMUX-64T User Manual 1-2 © National Instruments CorporationSoftware Programming ChoicesThere are four options to choose from when programming your National Instruments DAQ andSCXI hardware. You can use LabVIEW, LabWindows, NI-DAQ, or register-level programmingsoftware.Your accessory hardware kit does not include software. The AMUX-64T works with LabVIEWfor Windows, LabVIEW for Macintosh, LabWindows for DOS, and LabWindows/CVI forWindows, NI-DAQ for PC compatibles, and NI-DAQ for Macintosh.LabVIEW and LabWindows Application SoftwareLabVIEW and LabWindows are innovative program development software packages for dataacquisition and control applications. LabVIEW uses graphical programming, whereasLabWindows enhances traditional programming languages. Both packages include extensivelibraries for data acquisition, instrument control, data analysis, and graphical data presentation.LabVIEW currently runs on four different platforms—AT/MC/EISA computers runningMicrosoft Windows, NEC computers running Windows, the Macintosh platform, and the SunSPARCstation platform. LabVIEW features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art userinterface, and a powerful graphical programming language. The LabVIEW Data Acquisition VILibrary, a series of VIs for using LabVIEW with National Instruments DAQ hardware, isincluded with LabVIEW. The LabVIEW Data Acquisition VI Libraries are functionallyequivalent to the NI-DAQ software, except that the SCXI functions are not included in theLabVIEW software for Sun.LabWindows has two versions—LabWindows for DOS is for use on PCs running DOS, andLabWindows/CVI is for use on PCs running Windows and for Sun SPARCstations.LabWindows/CVI features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user interface, and uses theANSI standard C programming language. The LabWindows Data Acquisition Library, a seriesof functions for using LabWindows with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is included withthe NI-DAQ software kit. The LabWindows Data Acquisition libraries are functionallyequivalent to the NI-DAQ software except that the SCXI functions are not included in theLabWindows/CVI software for Sun.Using LabVIEW or LabWindows software will greatly reduce the development time for yourdata acquisition and control application.NI-DAQ Driver SoftwareThe NI-DAQ driver software is included at no charge with all National Instruments DAQhardware. NI-DAQ is not packaged with SCXI or accessory products, except for theSCXI-1200. NI-DAQ has an extensive library of functions that you can call from yourapplication programming environment. These functions include routines for analog input(A/D conversion), buffered data acquisition (high-speed A/D conversion), analog output(D/A conversion), waveform generation, digital I/O, counter/timer operations, SCXI, RTSI,self calibration, messaging, and acquiring data to extended memory.