Measure PWM in VeriStand Using PXI-6612

The PXI-6612 is a counter module from NI designed for PXI systems. The PXIe‑6612 performs encoder position measurement, event counting, period measurement, pulse-width measurement, pulse generation, pulse-train generation, and frequency measurement.

In this tutorial, we will explore how to measure Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) using the PXI-6612 counter module within NI VeriStand software.

To use the Counter Input channels on a PXIe-6612 for pulse measurement in VeriStand, it requires the presence of a DAQ card in the chassis that can supply a sample clock on the RTSI/PXI_TRIG 0 line. This example will be using PXIe-6345 to export the clock. 

VeriStand Configuration 

1. Open VeriStand System Explorer.
2. Make sure that your hardware has been discovered in System Explorer. If not, use the Hardware Discovery Wizard.
3. On the Chassis page, export the PXIe-6345 clock by configuring to export the ai/SampleClock on Default/RTSI/PXI_Trig 0 so that it is available for the CI channel to use.

4. Right click on your PXI-6621, then select Add Channels.

5. Select channel type to add as CI and select measurement type as Pulse Measurement, then make sure that Sample Clock Source set as RTSI/PXI_Trig 0.

6. Select the CI channels to be added, for example like the picture below.

7. Create a new screen on the VeriStand project and drag the counter to view the result for the Frequency and Duty Cycle, then deploy the project in your RT target.