NI-6001 unable to select channel output

[Mech314]

Hi all!

I've recently purchased NI-6001 and I try to generate some pulses with Labview program that works with NI-6361. 

My problem is that I use DAQmx pulse generator and it requires counter which should be counter output. While wiht 6361 I can browse and select ctr from several, with 6001 I cannot find any. 

Could you please help me finding ctr? 

Thank you!

[Kevin_Price]

The 6001 has very limited counter functionality.  It has 1 counter that can only count edges -- it cannot generate pulses or pulse trains.

-Kevin P

[Mech314]

Oh, that is a major disappointment. Can you recommend the simples (cheapest) NI board that can use counters as 6361 does? I need two outputs that so I can give two different sets of pulses... 

Thank you! 

[Kevin_Price]

I'm afraid I don't really know the low-budget product line particularly well.  I'd recommend you call NI Sales and have a conversation about your present needs and any known future ones.  Then you can come back here if you want to double-check the advice you get.

-Kevin P

[Mech314]

Okay, NI suggestion was 6210, which is not low-priced one, but if it is indeed the cheapest one, I'll have to take it. 

Do you think that 6210 board gonna work with DAQmx pulse generator? 

Only now I realize that I need to use 2 counter simultaneously in my experiments (two DAQmx pulse generators), what do you think about this board choice? 

Thank you!!

[Kevin_Price]

Hmmm, well, that will depend.  The 6210 is an (older) M-series device that requires 2 counters working together to produce 1 finite pulse train.   If you only need single pulses or continuous pulse trains that you decide when to start and stop via software, I'd think the USB-6210 ought to work. 

On the other hand, if you need to generate 2 distinct pulse trains simultaneously *AND* if either of them need to be finite pulse trains with a very specific total # of pulses, then NO, the USB-6210 won't be a good choice.  The X-series family of MIO boards (63xx) have 4 counters which can each produce finite pulse trains all by themselves.  But it looks like another big $ step up to a USB-6341, the cheapest one in USB.

You might be able to put together a cheaper bare minimum solution via Compact DAQ by pairing a single-slot chassis (containing multiple counters) with a DIO module (which provides a route to connect signals between the internal chassis counters and the outside world).   But bear in mind that a single-slot chassis will have pretty limited capabilities.  You might soon find yourself wishing you had a multi-slot chassis or a "regular" USB MIO board.

I don't know the cDAQ family well enough to give specific recommendations, you may need to make another call to NI to double-check and confirm things.

-Kevin P

[Mech314]

It is surprising for me that they have recommended me this board then. Thank you very much for your input, it is actually more valuable then NI assistant input. 

I will keep my research and call them again next Monday. 

I will post as soon as I get something new. 

Thank you!!