counter output cards

[abdel2]

I am currently using PCI 6259 which has 2 counter outputs. Are there any counter cards that I can add to get 5-8 additional counter output? All the ones I see on NI and Measurement Computing website have maximum of two outputs.

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Check out the PCI-6602 to see if it is suitable for your needs:

https://www.ni.com/en-us/shop/model/pci-6602.html

-AK2DM

[CWolf]

We have various counter/timer boards that have 4 or 8 counters on them and may work for your application.  However, depending on your application, you could also check out our new X-series data acquisition devices.  Each of these cards has 4 enhanced counters that allow you to use only one counter for tasks that on other cards took up two counters (such as finite pulse train generation and high frequency measurements).  So, these four counters may be enough for your application depending on what you are using them for.  Also, these cards have analog I/O capabilities in addition to the counters, which the counter/timer boards do not. 

-Christina

[abdel2]

Thank you both. The X series looks very interesting, but I forgot to mention that I am looking for a USB card. I already have a good data acquisition card for analog and digital inputs so it would be nice to keep it and spend less on an additional counter card only.

[CWolf]

Unfortunately we do not have any counter/timer cards in the USB form factor.  Currently the only option for counters in a USB card are M Series multi-function devices, which only have 2 counters. 

-Christina

[John_P1 · Accepted solution]

I like the idea of a low-cost USB device with counters.  If you have the chance be sure to fill out a Product Suggestion to help us prioritize, maybe it's something we could look into if demand is high enough.

In the meantime, you might want to look into the 9174 chassis which was just released 2 days ago.  It uses the same STC-3 chip as our X series devices, so it has 4 counters available on the chassis backplane.  To access them externally you would need to use a digital module such as the 9401. 

The 9174 connects to your computer via USB and is programmed using DAQmx (support added in version 9.0.2).

Best Regards,

John

[abdel2]

Thank you everyeone. The chassis looks like the cheapest option right now. I will also fill out the Product Suggestion box and hopefully there will a cheaper solution which includes just counter outputs (and perhaps some inputs).