DAQ Getting Started

This document provides basic installation instructions for NI bus-powered USB DAQ devices. Refer to the documentation specific to your DAQ device for more information.

Unpacking the Kit

Notice To prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) from damaging the device, ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object, such as your computer chassis.
  1. Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis.
  2. Remove the device from the package and inspect the device for loose components or any other sign of damage.
    Notice Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
    Note Do not install a device if it appears damaged in any way.
  3. Unpack any other items and documentation from the kit.
Note Store the device in the antistatic package when the device is not in use.

Installing the Software

Back up any applications before upgrading your software. You must be an Administrator to install NI software on your computer. Refer to the NI-DAQmx Readme on the software media for supported application software and versions.

  1. If applicable, install an application development environment (ADE), such as LabVIEW, Microsoft Visual Studio®, or LabWindows™/CVI™.
  2. Install the NI-DAQmx driver software.

Connecting the Device

Complete the following steps to set up a bus-powered USB DAQ device.

  1. Connect the cable from the computer USB port or from any other hub to the USB port on the device.
  2. Power on the device.

    After the computer detects your device (this can take 30 to 45 seconds), the LED on the device blinks or lights.

    Windows recognizes any newly installed devices the first time the computer reboots after hardware is installed. On some Windows systems, the Found New Hardware wizard opens with a dialog box for every NI device installed. Install the software automatically is selected by default. Click Next or Yes to install the software for the device.

    Note If your device is not recognized and the LED does not blink or light, make sure that you installed NI-DAQmx as outlined in the Installing the Software section.
    Note After Windows detects newly installed NI USB devices, NI Device Monitor launches.
  3. If applicable, install accessories and/or terminal blocks. Refer to the documentation for the accessory and/or terminal blocks for installation instructions.
  4. Attach sensors and signal lines to the device, terminal block, or accessory terminals. Refer to the documentation for your DAQ device or accessory for terminal/pinout information.

Configuring the Device in NI MAX

Use NI MAX, installed automatically with NI-DAQmx, to configure your NI hardware.

  1. Launch NI MAX.
  2. In the Configuration pane, double-click Devices and Interfaces to see the list of installed devices.
    If you do not see your device listed, press <F5> to refresh the list of installed devices. If the device is still not listed, disconnect and reconnect the USB cable to the device and computer.
  3. Right‑click the device and select Self-Test to perform a basic verification of hardware resources.
  4. Optional: Right‑click the device and select Configure to add accessory information and configure the device.
  5. Right-click the device and select Test Panels to test device functionality.
    Click Start to test the device functions, and then Stop and Close to exit the test panel. If the test panel displays an error message, refer to ni.com/support.
  6. If your device supports self-calibration, right-click the device and select Self-Calibrate.
    A window reports the status of the calibration. Click Finish. For more information about self-calibration, refer to the device user manual.
    Note Remove all sensors and accessories from your device before self-calibrating.

Configuring a Measurement

Complete the following steps to configure a measurement using the DAQ Assistant from MAX.
Note For Linux users, you must use Hardware Configuration Utility to configure your instrument as NI-DAQmx for Linux does not include MAX, which supports only Windows OS.
  1. Launch MAX.
  2. Right-click Data Neighborhood and select Create New to open the DAQ Assistant.
  3. Select NI-DAQmx Task and click Next.
  4. Select Acquire Signals or Generate Signals.
  5. Select the I/O type, such as digital input, and the measurement type, such as line input or port input.
  6. Select the physical channels to use and click Next.
  7. Name the task and click Finish.
  8. Configure individual channel settings. Each physical channel you assign to a task receives a virtual channel name.
    1. Click Details for physical channel information.
    2. Configure the timing and triggering for your task.
  9. Click Run.

Where to Go Next

Refer to the NI-DAQmx Help for additional information about using your DAQ product with the NI-DAQmx driver. To access the NI-DAQmx Help, launch NI MAX and go to Help » Help Topics » NI-DAQmx » NI-DAQmx Help.

Examples

NI-DAQmx includes example programs to help you get started developing an application. Modify example code and save it in an application, or use examples to develop a new application or add example code to an existing application.

To locate LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measurement Studio, Visual Basic, and ANSI C examples, go to ni.com/info and enter the Info Code daqmxexp. For additional examples, refer to ni.com/examples.

Related Documentation and Assistance

Find the documentation for your DAQ device or accessory—including safety, environmental, and regulatory information documents—by going to ni.com/docs and entering the model number.

Find device terminal/pinout locations in MAX by right-clicking the device name in the Configuration pane and selecting Device Pinouts.

For software installation problems, go to ni.com/support/daqmx.

For hardware troubleshooting, go to ni.com/support and enter your device name, or go to ni.com/kb.

Return your NI hardware for repair or device calibration by going to https://www.ni.com/r/servicerequestmanager, which starts the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process.

NI Services

Visit ni.com/support to find support resources including documentation, downloads, and troubleshooting and application development self-help such as tutorials and examples.

Visit ni.com/services to learn about NI service offerings such as calibration options, repair, and replacement.

Visit ni.com/register to register your NI product. Product registration facilitates technical support and ensures that you receive important information updates from NI.

NI corporate headquarters is located at 11500 N Mopac Expwy, Austin, TX, 78759-3504, USA.