NI 6501 to pulse 1600Hz

[abikutn]

Hello,

   I am planning to buy NI low cost multi-function DAQ - NI 6501.

    In my application, I would like to generate a pulse train (+5V and 0V - TTL ) with 1600Hz to 2000Hz (50% duty cycle is fine ) to control the speed of a stepper motor. Is it possible to generate pulses in that freq range with the help of NI 6501. This seems the one I can afford now. However, can I achieve my task with this hardware.

  Advise and suggestions are appreciated.

Best,

Abhi

[Dennis_Knutson]

Sorry, no. As you can see from the specs, the 6501 is strictly software timed. You would be lucky to get 1000 samples per second and they would be subject to quite a bit of jitter. Look for a hardware timed board.

[abikutn]

Thanks Dennis,

I looked through the various DIO modules available from NI. But apart from PCI,PCIe and RIO modules they dont seem to have any hardware timed boards in USB.

I am just looking for a DIO that can give out 2KHz max pulse rate to run my stepper motor. Is there any product that is low on budget and still meet this requirement ? 

Thanks

Abhi

[Dennis_Knutson]

The multifunction devices such as the M series have hardware timed I/O. Since I don't your definition of "low on budget", you would be best served by contacting your local NI Sales Engineer.

[SnowMule]

The 6501 is cheap, but it's all software-timed... which means there's a lot of limitations to it in terms of speed and accuracy.

Might look into a 6211, those have some hardware timing capabilities, and the X-series DAQs have morec apabilities on the digital I/O's. 

But to do what you want to with a 6501 .... I don't think it's gonna happen.

[Chris-NI]

To add to this, also consider the current drive your motor requires.  Many digital cards may not offer the current you need for your load.  Don't short-change yourself trying to cut corners!

http://www.ni.com/motion/

Regards,