Data Acquisition and Signal Conditioning Driver Software Options NI-DAQmx NI-DAQmx Base • Compatible with more than 300 data acquisition devices • Full-featured driver software for Windows and Linux® • High-performance driver engine • Fast single-point and multithreaded I/O • Automatic code generation with the DAQ Assistant • Virtual channels for simple measurement configuration • Multiple-device synchronization • Optimized integration with LabVIEW VIs and analysis • API for LabVIEW, ANSI C/C++, C#, Visual Basic .NET, and Visual Basic • Free data-logging software included • Compatible with more than 80 data acquisition devices • Multiplatform driver for Linux, Mac OS X, Windows Mobile, Windows CE, and Windows Vista/XP • Subset of NI-DAQmx functionality • Similar programming interface to NI-DAQmx • Basic DAQ driver for LabVIEW and ANSI C Measurement Hardware DDK • • • • Custom-driver development tools Register-level programming interface Designed for OEM customers Data acquisition for virtually any OS NI-DAQmx Driver Software The quality of the driver software is just as important as the quality of the measurement hardware. National Instruments provides three levels of data acquisition (DAQ) software, each with its own unique features. The result is a complete offering of data acquisition software to simplify use of National Instruments DAQ hardware in any application. NI-DAQmx is full-featured, high-performance driver software that maximizes productivity and performance through an intuitive programming interface and included measurement services. It works with broad ranges of programming languages, devices, buses, sensors, and even mixed-signal types. NI-DAQmx is the best option almost every time for Windows and Linux development. Increasing Functionality NI-DAQmx Easy-to-Use, High-Performance DAQ Driver (for Windows and Linux) NI-DAQmx Base Multiplatform DAQ Driver (for Linux, Mac OS X, and Mobile Devices) MHDDK Custom-Driver Development Tools (Many OSs) Increasing Development Effort Overview Three Levels of DAQ Driver Software 1. NI-DAQmx is full-featured, high-performance driver software that maximizes productivity and performance through an intuitive programming interface and added software. 2. NI-DAQmx Base is a basic multiplatform DAQ driver with a subset of NI-DAQmx functionality. 3. NI Measurement Hardware DDK is a development kit for the creation of custom drivers using register-level programming. Note: Not all drivers work with all devices. Visit ni.com/support/daq/versions to check compatibility. Note: National Instruments recommends using the latest version of NI-DAQmx driver software for application development in NI LabVIEW, LabWindows™/CVI, and Measurement Studio 7.x or later on Windows and Linux. Included Measurement Services1 NI-DAQmx includes a collection of measurement services designed to save data acquisition system developers time and money. A few of these services include: Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) – software for configuring, calibrating, testing, and managing your hardware DAQ Assistant – software for creating configuration-based data acquisition tasks and automatic code generation in popular application development environments LabVIEW SignalExpress LE – free software specifically designed for basic data-logging applications NI Device Monitor – software that provides a true plug-and-play experience for developers using USB DAQ modules 1 Windows version only. Data Acquisition and Signal Conditioning Driver Software Options NI-DAQmx Base Driver Software Measurement Hardware DDK NI-DAQmx Base offers a subset of NI-DAQmx functionality on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Windows Mobile, and Windows CE OSs. This driver software includes ready-to-use LabVIEW VIs and C function examples similar to those included in the full-featured NI-DAQmx software. National Instruments built NI-DAQmx Base driver software using the Measurement Hardware DDK and developed the software almost entirely in the multiplatform LabVIEW graphical development environment. This lightweight, agile architecture makes it possible to quickly develop NI-DAQmx Base for additional OSs and devices in the future. Developers creating applications for Windows or Linux systems should consider using the latest in full-featured NI-DAQmx. The Measurement Hardware DDK (Driver Development Kit) provides development tools and a register-level programming interface for the development of custom driver software. Designed for OEM customers developing applications that require nonstandard OSs, it offers access to the full device register map and provides examples for completing common measurement and control functions. The Measurement Hardware DDK works with a selection of NI multifunction, analog output, digital I/O, and counter/timer I/O devices, including M Series, E Series, and S Series devices. Standard phone and e-mail support are not available for Measurement Hardware DDK users. Developers considering the Measurement Hardware DDK should also study the advantages of industry-leading NI-DAQmx and NI-DAQmx Base software. Bus and OS Support PCI/PXI/PCI Express/PXI Express USB PCMCIA CompactFlash Programming Languages Programming languages LabVIEW interface Additional Measurement Services Development speed DAQ Assistant code generation Multithreaded I/O performance Driver footprint Test panels Automatic sensor scaling Single programming interface for all hardware and I/O types Measurement examples Hardware M Series S Series E Series B Series USB DAQ SC Series SCXI DSA Digital I/O Timing I/O AO NI-DAQmx High-Performance Multithreaded Driver NI-DAQmx Base Multiplatform Basic Driver Measurement Hardware DDK Custom Driver Development Tools Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit)/XP/2000, Linux Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit)/XP/2000 Windows XP/2000 – Linux, Mac OS X Linux, Mac OS X, Windows Mobile/CE Windows Mobile Windows Mobile Linux, Mac OS X, QNX, RTX, Intime Linux, QNX, Windows Mobile/CE Windows Mobile/CE – LabVIEW, ANSI C/C++, C#, Visual Basic .NET, and Visual Basic Complete polymorphic VIs and property nodes LabVIEW, ANSI C LabVIEW, ANSI C Limited polymorphic VIs Register-level VIs A F D A1 – – – – D F A A D A – A >3000 ~30 – – – ~30 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • – – • • – • • • • • • – – • • – • A A KEY: A Best, F Better, D Good, • Some devices supported. 1 Windows only. For the latest information on applicable devices and OSs or new features, visit ni.com/daq/software. BUY ONLINE at ni.com or CALL 800 813 3693 (U.S.) 2 IN TA PL AN MA IN NI Services and Support P DE LO Y EL OP SERVICE NEEDS V DE NI has the services and support to meet your needs around the globe and through the application life cycle – from planning and development through deployment and ongoing maintenance. We offer services and service levels to meet customer requirements in research, design, validation, and manufacturing. Visit ni.com/services. Local Sales and Technical Support In offices worldwide, our staff is local to the country, giving you access to engineers who speak your language. NI delivers industry-leading technical support through online knowledge bases, our applications engineers, and access to 14,000 measurement and automation professionals within NI Developer Exchange forums. Find immediate answers to your questions at ni.com/support. 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