USB DAQ directly usable in Test Stand?

[gubo]

Hello,

Is it possible to use DAQ NI USB-6008 directly in Test Stand (e.g. use a numeric test with an AD-Channel)? 

Or is it required to use one of the supportet programming languages (LabVIEW, LabWindows™/CVI und Measurement Studio für Visual Studio .NET) , create a function/dll and call this from Test Stand?

Thank you.

[Norbert_B]

You can leave out *any* programming language as the programming language itself requires an API (Application Programming Interface) from the driver to access the driver's functionality.

Most drivers are a single or a set of DLL(s), the API for the programming language is most often only a wrapper for that DLL(s).

Using the DLL adapter, you can access the driver directly as long as:

- It is a DLL which is documented about its functions and their parameters

- You know how to use the functions of the driver (specific order, which functions are required, which optional, ...)

Please note that you have to write a sequence calling quite a number of functions one after another. So a simple acquisition can consist of more than a bunch of steps if you do not encapsulate it into a single code module.

The recommended way to address your question is indeed: Use a programming language to call the driver.

Norbert

[gubo]

Thank you for your reply.

I understand that the driver contains function to initialize the DAQ, set outputs, read inputs etc.

I also understand that I could write a wrapper that calls a number of driver-functions to set up the card, and from TestStand I could call my own "init"-function.

The question is whether National delivers an API for the DAQ that allows to use the Inputs/Outputs EASILY in TestStand (e.g. one Action-Step to initialize the card, one Step to read a input, use a digital input directly for a pass/fail step, etc.)

Thank you.

[Norbert_B]

There is nothing predefined. So you have to study the C-API of DAQmx yourself (documentation installed with the driver).

And, no, there are no examples which show this use case of DAQmx (direct driver call by TS)......

Norbert

[CNorddy]

Yes,

You can download NI-VISA and set up the daq channels in NI MAX.  Using visa32.dll, you can initialize a resource and call up the functions you set up in NI Max.  I know this answer is really late, but it can be used for future reference.

[j_dodek]

Hi,

there is an other option by using a step-type

http://www.mesulog.fr/produits.php?art=3

Regrads

Juergen