Simultaneous inputs from different sources

[Stephenx]

I'm trying to create a heater from a resistively heated wire.  What I planned to do was connect the wire to a programmable DC power supply, which I would connect to a USB-232 (single port RS232 interface).  I would also like to incorporate temperature readings from a thermocouple placed near the heater.  I would connect the thermocouple to one of the analog channels of a PCI 6259 (M Series).  We already have the PCI 6259 (and the connector block), but so far haven't purchased either the DC power supply or USB-232.  Before we buy these, does anyone know if this set up is even possible?  I wasn't sure if it would be possible to have two separate inputs going into LabVIEW from two different sources (i.e. USB and PCI) simultaneously.  Also, are there any other ways I could do this easier?  I've looked into analog programmable DC power supplies, which I could control from the PCI 6259, but these seem to be even more expensive than RS 232 controlled ones.

Thanks in advance

[J POWER · Accepted solution]

Hi Stephen.

                   You can have multiply input/output devices, the way you design your code will detemin how well that work. The USB can output at the same time the PCI card is inputting. The channels you create will specify what you aquire and when.

what is the programmable DC power supply you  are looking at?

[Stephenx]

We were looking at the Chroma ATE 6200, (4A, 15VDC, RS232, analogue input), however I just found out that this has been discontinued in Europe.  The UK supplier has suggested another Chroma power supply, although this is 600VDC or one by Kepco (not sure on the model details for this one as they haven't sent us the spec. yet).  We aim to go for a supply that is relatively low power (~60W) and ideally analogue control (or RS232).

Thanks for the reply.