DAQ GETTING STARTED GUIDE

PCI/PCI Express
This document provides basic installation instructions for NI PCI and PCI Express 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.

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.

Installing the Device

1. Power off and unplug the computer.
2. Access the computer system expansion slots. This step might require you to remove one
or more access panels on the computer case.
3. Locate a compatible slot and remove the corresponding slot cover on the computer back
panel.
4. Touch any metal part of the computer to discharge any static electricity.
5. Insert the device into the applicable PCI/PCI Express system slot. Gently rock the device
into place. Do not force the device into place.
Per the PCI standard, NI PCI DAQ devices with the Universal PCI connector are
supported in PCI-compliant buses, including PCI-X. You cannot install PCI Express
devices in PCI slots and vice versa. PCI Express devices support up-plugging into a
PCI Express slot of higher lane width.
Figure 1. Installing a PCI/PCI Express Device

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1. PCI/PCI Express DAQ Device

2. PCI/PCI Express System Slot
3. PC with PCI/PCI Express Slot

6. Secure the module mounting bracket to the computer back panel rail.
Note Tightening the top and bottom mounting screws increases mechanical
stability and also electrically connects the front panel to the chassis, which can
improve the signal quality and electromagnetic performance.
7. On PCI Express devices, such as the PCIe-625x/63xx, connect the PC and the device disk
drive power connectors. Refer to the device user manual for information about when to
use the disk drive power connector. Use a disk drive power connector that is not in the
same power chain as the hard drive.

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 Figure 2. Attaching Disk Drive Power to the PCI Express Device

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1

1. Device Disk Drive Power Connector

2. PC Disk Drive Power Connector

Note Connecting or disconnecting the disk drive power connector can affect
the analog performance of your device. To compensate for this, NI recommends
that you self-calibrate the PCI Express DAQ device in MAX after connecting
or disconnecting the disk drive power connector; refer to the Configuring the
Device in NI MAX section.
8. Replace any access panels on the computer case.
9. Plug in and power on your computer.
10. If applicable, install accessories and/or terminal blocks as described in the installation
guides.
11. 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.
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.

DAQ Getting Started Guide for PCI/PCI Express | © National Instruments Corporation | 3
Programming
Complete the following steps to configure a measurement using the DAQ Assistant from
NI MAX.
1. In NI MAX, right-click Data Neighborhood and select Create New to open the DAQ
Assistant.
2. Select NI-DAQmx Task and click Next.
3. Select Acquire Signals or Generate Signals.
4. Select the I/O type, such as analog input, and the measurement type, such as voltage.
5. Select the physical channel(s) to use and click Next.
6. Name the task and click Finish.
7. Configure individual channel settings. Each physical channel you assign to a task
receives a virtual channel name. Click Details for physical channel information.
Configure the timing and triggering for your task.
8. 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/manuals 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.

4 | ni.com | DAQ Getting Started Guide for PCI/PCI Express

Return your NI hardware for repair or device calibration by going to ni.com/info and entering
rdsenn, which starts the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process.

Worldwide Support and Services

The NI website is your complete resource for technical support. At ni.com/support, you have
access to everything from troubleshooting and application development self-help resources to
email and phone assistance from NI Application Engineers.

Visit ni.com/services for information about the services NI offers.

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 North Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas,

78759-3504, USA. For up-to-date contact information for your location, visit ni.com/contact.

DAQ Getting Started Guide for PCI/PCI Express | © National Instruments Corporation | 5
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information on NI trademarks. Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their
respective companies. For patents covering NI products/technology, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your
software, the patents.txt file on your media, or the National Instruments Patent Notice at ni.com/patents. You can find
information about end-user license agreements (EULAs) and third-party legal notices in the readme file for your NI product. Refer
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376576B-01 July 16, 2020