National Instruments PXI-6512 PXI Digital I/O Module

The National Instruments PXI-6512 (Part Number: 778969-01) is a ±30 VDC, 64-Channel, Bank Isolated, and Source Output PXI Digital Input/Output Module. This model offers programmable power-up states, enabling the user to configure a safe startup output state when connected to industrial process actuators. Moreover, the NI PXI 6512 can switch to a predefined safe output state by using its digital watchdogs if an application or computer fault occurs. At power-up, this module operates with all of its output drives disabled. To ensure its power up in a known state, the user can have all output lines configured for an on or off state. The device has an output voltage range of 0 V to 30 V, and digital I/O logic levels of 24 V.

This Digital I/O Module can detect changes and triggers a change detection when any change occurs. The National Instruments PXI-6512 comes featured with a software configurable watchdog timer as well. This time can be used to define critical outputs to fail-safe-states in the event of a system crash, a software failure, or another case of communication failure between the module and the application. With the watchdog timer enabled, the PXI-6512 will deny receiving any watchdog reset software commands within the specified period until it gets unarmed by the applications.

The outputs in the individual bank of the NI PXI-6512 are isolated from all other bank outputs from the computer power supply and the PX.GND pins and +5 V pins in other banks. However, all lines from the same output bank utilize the same ground and common power, while the isolated photocouplers ensure isolation.

The PXI-6512 is run using the NIDAQmx driver software which can be programmed using software packages or application development environments (ADEs) such as LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI. It has a power requirement of +5 VDC at 250 mA, and +3.3 VDC at 300 mA.

The NI device weighs 4.8 oz, and measures 8.38 x 5.12 in. in physical dimensions. It has recommended operating and storage temperature ranges of 0 °C to 55 °C and –20 °C to 70 °C respectively, operating and storage humidity ranges of 10% to 90% and 5% to 95% respectively.