Setting Up a Digital Trigger in a CompactDAQ Chassis

Updated Dec 10, 2024

Reported In

Hardware

  • cDAQ-9172
  • cDAQ-9174
  • cDAQ-9178
  • cDAQ-9179
  • cDAQ-9184
  • cDAQ-9188
  • cDAQ-9189

Issue Details

  • I have a module in my CompactDAQ (cDAQ) chassis and want to use digital triggering. How can I configure a Digital Trigger for my task?
  • How can I configure hardware triggering with my cDAQ?

Solution

In order to use digital triggering with any task in a CompactDAQ (cDAQ) chassis, you must have a parallel digital input module in order to gain access to the Programmable Function Interface (PFI) lines they provide.

  • If you have a cDAQ-9172, you must place the module in slot 5 or 6. These are the only two slots that have access to the PFI lines on this chassis.
  • For the cDAQ-9173, cDAQ-9174, cDAQ-9178, cDAQ-9179, cDAQ-9184, cDAQ-9188 and cDAQ-9188XT, they do not have slot restrictions; you may use the digital module in any slot to obtain access to the PFI lines.
  • As an exception to the rule, the NI-9205 and NI-9206 analog input modules support using an external analog trigger. This line can be accessed by the chassis (even the NI-9172) from any slot.

Note:

  • The cDAQ-9177, cDAQ-9178, cDAQ-9179, cDAQ-9188 and cDAQ-9188XT have two built-in PFI lines, so if no more than two trigger lines will be required, there is no need for a digital module.
  • The cDAQ-9189, has one built-in PFI, that can be used for this purpose. 


To learn more about how to use a digital trigger in a task and how to configure it refer to NI-DAQmx Data Acquisition Triggering Techniques Using LabVIEW.

Additional Information

Further information can be found in the documentation available for each device: Products Manuals: CompactDAQ User Manuals