NI SCXI-1600 USB Data Acquisition Module

The National Instruments SCXI-1600 is a USB 2.0 data acquisition (DAQ) and control module designed for use with the SCXI modular instrumentation platform. It serves as a full-featured controller for SCXI chassis, providing 16-bit analog input conversion, digital I/O capabilities, and USB connectivity to host computers. The module supports up to 352 analog input channels when paired with compatible SCXI multiplexer modules, making it ideal for high-density measurement systems.

High Channel Count Measurement

The SCXI-1600 leverages the SCXI platform's modular architecture to achieve extremely high channel counts. By combining the SCXI-1600 with SCXI multiplexer modules such as the SCXI-1120 (8-channel isolated input module) or SCXI-1102 (32-channel multiplexer), users can create systems with up to 352 analog input channels. This makes the SCXI-1600 ideal for applications requiring measurements from many sensors, such as structural monitoring, environmental testing, and manufacturing process validation.

USB Connectivity and Software Integration

The module connects directly to a computer via a standard USB 2.0 port, eliminating the need for internal PCI cards or complex cabling. It is fully supported by NI-DAQmx driver software, which provides a unified programming interface across all NI DAQ hardware. The module integrates seamlessly with LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and Measurement Studio, allowing engineers to develop custom measurement applications with minimal effort. The SCXI-1600 can also control digital I/O and switching modules within the SCXI chassis.

Application Domains

The SCXI-1600 is used in in-vehicle data logging, environmental monitoring, structural health monitoring, manufacturing test systems, and university laboratory education. It is suitable for legacy system maintenance and upgrades where existing SCXI infrastructure must be preserved. For new system designs, users should consider newer NI DAQ platforms with broader OS compatibility.