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NI cDAQ-9171 as a waveform generator

I'm trying to find a cheap way of creating a 4-channel analog output waveform generator, and I was wondering if it would be possible to use the NI cDAQ-9171 USB module as a waveform generator through LabView. This waveform generator would have to be able to simultaneously output 3 waveforms and I would need to have live control over the outputs (frequency, phase, waveform shape, amplitude, etc) of these channels. Would this device be able to suit my needs?

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The cDAQ-9171 only has a single analog output timing engine. You can use the single timing engine to generate waveforms on multiple channels, but it will complicate your "live control over the outputs" requirement.

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Brandon Streiff
ni.com/compactdaq · ni.com/daq
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Ah, that makes sense. So in order to work around that, I might want to use something like the NI USB-6343?

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The USB-6343 also only has a single analog output timing engine.

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Brandon Streiff
ni.com/compactdaq · ni.com/daq
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it will complicate your "live control over the outputs" requirement

 

But it would be still possible I guess. It would just require handling the frequencey/amplitude/phase changes in software, while keeping the physical generation frequency constant. It all depends on what resolution, accuracy and latency is required.

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Would a VI such as this be able to provide a solution to the multi-channel waveform output that I'm looking for? Also, I would definitely like to be able to output arbitrary waves, but I don't know if this VI could be modified to accept arb files in the form of .csv's or something. Is such a modification possible?

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