Product Overview

The National Instruments PCIe-6320 is an X Series multifunction data acquisition card for PCI Express systems. It combines analog input, analog output, digital input and output, and counter functions on a single card. The card is designed for automated test, laboratory measurement, production verification, and control applications that require a flexible DAQ interface in a desktop computer.

The PCIe-6320 is part of the NI X Series DAQ family. It connects to a PCI Express slot and is supported by NI-DAQmx software. The card provides a balance of channel count, sampling rate, and mixed signal capability for general purpose test and measurement systems.

Analog Input and Output

The PCIe-6320 provides 16 analog input channels with 16 bit resolution and a maximum sampling rate of 250 kS/s. The input range includes standard voltage levels such as plus or minus 10 V, plus or minus 5 V, and plus or minus 1 V. The analog input system supports hardware timed acquisition, triggering, and multi channel scanning.

The card includes two 16 bit analog output channels for control voltages, setpoints, and waveform generation. The analog output system supports hardware timed generation, which is useful for stimulus response testing and control applications. The combination of analog input and output allows the PCIe-6320 to handle mixed signal test tasks in one card.

Digital I/O and Counters

The PCIe-6320 provides 24 digital input and output lines for logic control, relay driving, and status monitoring. Four 32 bit counters are available for event counting, frequency measurement, pulse generation, and position sensing. The digital and counter functions can be synchronized with analog input and output operations through NI-DAQmx timing features.

This combination allows the card to coordinate mixed signal tasks, such as acquiring analog data while counting encoder pulses or generating a digital trigger. The card is suitable for test benches that require a combination of analog and digital signals in one PCI Express device.

Software and PCI Express Integration

The PCIe-6320 is supported by NI-DAQmx driver software. It can be programmed with LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measurement Studio, and other NI-DAQmx compatible development environments. NI-DAQmx provides configuration tools for channels, timing, triggering, and scaling. This helps reduce development time for data acquisition applications.

The card can be used with NI signal conditioning and accessory products to connect sensors and signals safely. It also supports synchronization with other DAQ devices and modular instruments through available timing and trigger lines. The PCI Express interface provides high bandwidth and a direct connection to the host computer.

Typical Applications

• Multifunction automated test systems

• Analog data acquisition and waveform generation

• Digital logic control and event counting

• Laboratory measurement and prototype validation

• Production test with mixed signal I/O

• PCI Express based DAQ systems

The PCIe-6320 provides 16 analog inputs, 2 analog outputs, 24 digital I/O lines, and 4 counters in an X Series PCI Express card. Its NI-DAQmx support and mixed signal capability make it suitable for a wide range of test and measurement applications.