There are only two sets of CompactRIO and CompactDAQ combinations that allow for direct communication and control of the CompactDAQ from the CompactRIO:
- CompactRIOs running a Windows OS communicating with a USB or Ethernet CompactDAQ chassis
- CompactRIOs supported by NI-DAQ™mx
Windows CompactRIO with USB or Ethernet CompactDAQ
The Windows-based cRIO-9081/2 are able to control and communicate directly with CompactDAQ. LabVIEW code can be run on these controllers just like you would on a Windows PC.
CompactRIOs with NI-DAQmx
CompactRIOs that support NI-DAQmx (e.g. the 904x series, the 905x series, and the 9035/9 (sync)) are able to use the cDAQ-9185/9 Ethernet chassis as an expansion chassis as long as NI-DAQmx 17.6 or later is installed on all targets. Please refer to Connecting to a Real-Time Controller - cDAQ-9185/9189 User Manual.
You can also use USB CompactDAQ chassis, like cDAQ-917x, with NI-DAQmx-supported CompactRIOs, like cRIO-904x and cRIO-905x.
The modules on the CompactDAQ will not appear on the project and are programmatically accessed. Please reference the attached example cRIO FPGA + cDAQ Acquisition 2017.zip > AI 9223 [RT] VI for how to access the modules.
Synchronizing CompactRIO and CompactDAQ
- When using cRIO-904x/5x with Real-Time (DAQmx) mode, you can use Time Triggering to synchronize both CompactRIO and CompactDAQ.
- To synchronize CompactRIO (including cRIO-9035/9 Sync) in FPGA mode, please refer to the attached cRIO FPGA + cDAQ Acquisition 2017.zip
Other Controllers for Direct CompactDAQ Communication
Industrial Controllers
The IC-317x line of controllers has the TSN capability, runs NI Linux Real-Time OS‡, and supports NI-DAQmx: IC-3171, IC-3172, IC-3173.
‡ Please note some devices are not supported by Real-Time controllers: cDAQ-9181, cDAQ-9184, cDAQ-9188, cDAQ-9188XT, and cDAQ-9191.
CompactDAQs with Built-in Controllers
The cDAQ-913x line contains a built-in controller that runs either NI Linux Real-Time OS or Windows Embedded 7 (WES7) and supports NI-DAQmx: cDAQ-9132, cDAQ-9133, cDAQ-9134, cDAQ-9135, cDAQ-9136, cDAQ-9137. These CompactDAQs have the controller built in, so they do not require a PC or another system in order to run code.
USB CompactDAQs from the cDAQ-917x line can also be controlled by the cDAQ-913x line when plugged directly to the USB port of the cDAQ Controller. Options for chassis expansion of embedded CompactDAQs will depend on the operating system of the controller.
CompactRIO I/O Expansion Options
If you need to have more I/Os for your CompactRIO, you can look at other options to expand your I/O, such as: