Ethernet digital IO

[Boyan_B]

Hi everyone,

I need to monitor digital inputs and control digital outputs (Opto 22 stuff) but it's hard to bring the sensors and SSRs near the computer so that I could use one of the low cost USB attached instruments.

I am curious if there an Ethernet digital IO instrument that can be used for this purpose so distance becomes irrelevant. Ideally I am looking for a version of the typical USB IO but with Ethernet?

This isn't a real "real" time monitoring as we are talking about lowly valves and sensors. Nothing like high frequency of flipping (not that that's realistic even with the USB versions.... 🙂

Thanks for your suggestions

Boyan

[AdnanZ · Accepted solution]

Have you see the ethernet options provided by NI?

[Boyan_B]

Thanks Adnan,

Yes I did look at the Ethernet DAQs but the economics didn't work out so I was hoping I missed something. Guess not. The problem is that there aren't any ENET-94xx modules that do both inputs and outputs compared to a similar USB version and that basically forces you outside the single module chassis business such as NI ENET-9163.

Going into multi-module Ethernet chassis just so one can have two ENET-94xx (one for ins antoher for outs) is prohibitive so that's what I was looking to learn here. The basis for comparison was NI USB-6008 $170 which would do the job just fine if only it wasn't USB.

Thanks

~B

[RavensFan]

You could take a look at USB to ethernet comverters.  http://www.bb-elec.com/bb-elec/literature/prd_usb_anywhereusb.pdf

They give you drivers that let you treat a remote USB port like it is a part of your PC.  I can't make any guarantees it will work perfectly.  And of course it is adding another level that may hurt your performance some.  But I have been able to use this with an inexpensive USB daq device before.

[Boyan_B]

Thank you, yes I did. The one question is whether someone out there can confirm if USB-6008 can work via USB hub? Forget out the Ethernet discussion, I just need to know whether someone had successfully used NI USB-6008 with plain old USB hub rather than connecting the NI USB-6008 directly to the USB port on the PC.

If the answer is YES and NI USB-6008 does work via USB hub then the Ethernet USB extender is worth testing....

I am asking explicitly because other USB gear I have used (USB logic analyzer) does NOT allow hubs and wants direct connection to the PC.

Boyan

[David-A]

Hi Boyan,

The 6008 is capable of being powered by a USB hub provided the hub is externally powered as explained in this KnowledgeBase.

More to your question however is will the 6008 run on an Ethernet-to-USB hub?  The unsatisfying answer to this is maybe, but probably no.  The same issue has been discussed in this thread with limited success.  

David A.

[Andy-K]

Hi bbiandov,

The USB 6008 can work with a USB hub as long as it fits the USB specifications.  Any USB hub that meets the bus and power specifications defined in the user manual should work just fine. 

The bus specifications for the USB 6008 are listed below which I got from the user guide and specifications for NI USB-6008/6009.  I hope this helps!

[SnowMule]

I use 6008's on USB hubs in almost all my equipment.

Ther'es some known issues with the 6008 driver in windows 7 through a hub; that's the only situation I'd avoid.

Use good hubs. I was using cheapo USB hubs for years and just put up with the errors they'd throw.  Switched to good industrial USB Hubs and saw errors almost vanish.

Startech ST4200USBM's have worked well, they're not terribly expensive.  Available through TigerDirect, Ebay, etc.

Since they've got built-in power regulation, it can take 7-24V on the input terminals which is real convienent in all my equipment.  I purchased one for personal use, hook it up to my motorcycle's battery and can charge phone, ipod, and helmet camera at the same time right from the bike. 🙂