Product Overview

The National Instruments USB-6218 is a multifunction data acquisition device for USB based systems. It provides 32 analog input channels, 2 analog output channels, digital input and output lines, and counters. The device is bus powered, which means it can operate from the USB connection in many configurations without a separate power supply.

The USB-6218 is designed for portable test, bench top measurement, laboratory automation, and educational applications. Its compact size and USB interface make it easy to connect to a laptop or desktop computer. The device is supported by NI-DAQmx software, which provides configuration and programming tools for data acquisition tasks.

Analog Input and Output

The USB-6218 provides 32 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 device includes two 16 bit analog output channels for control voltages, setpoints, and simple waveforms. 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 USB-6218 to handle basic closed loop and signal generation tasks.

Digital I/O and Counters

The USB-6218 provides digital input and output lines for logic control, relay driving, status monitoring, and communication with external equipment. The device also includes counters for event counting, frequency measurement, pulse generation, and position sensing. These functions can be synchronized with analog input and output operations through NI-DAQmx timing features.

The digital and counter functions allow the USB-6218 to coordinate mixed signal tasks, such as acquiring analog data while counting encoder pulses or generating a digital trigger. The device is suitable for test benches that require a combination of analog and digital signals in one compact unit.

Portable and Bench Top Use

The USB-6218 is bus powered and connects to a host computer through USB. This makes it convenient for portable measurement setups, field service, and laboratory benches where a dedicated chassis is not required. The device can be used with screw terminal or mass termination accessories depending on the connection needs of the application.

The compact form factor allows the device to be placed close to the signal source, which can reduce cable length and noise pickup. Proper shielding and grounding help maintain signal quality in noisy environments. The device is designed for use in indoor laboratory and industrial environments within its specified operating conditions.

Software and Typical Applications

The USB-6218 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.

• Portable and bench top analog data acquisition

• Multi channel sensor measurement and voltage monitoring

• Analog stimulus and control voltage generation

• Digital logic monitoring and relay control

• Event counting and frequency measurement

• Laboratory automation and educational measurement

The USB-6218 provides 32 analog inputs, 2 analog outputs, digital I/O, and counters in a bus powered USB device. Its compact size and NI-DAQmx support make it suitable for portable and bench top measurement applications.