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Communication Buses and Protocols

Whether you are communicating with devices such as process instruments, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), smart sensors, and single-loop controllers, or performing instrument control from your PC, National Instruments offers a variety of reliable and easy-to-use hardware and software tools to help you meet all your communication needs.
Explore NI high-performance RS232, RS485, and RS422 serial interfaces
Find NI CAN interfaces for USB, PXI, PCI, PCMCIA, and NI CompactRIO
Connect PC and PXI systems powered by NI LabVIEW to PROFIBUS networks

Buses and Protocols

Recommended Software

NI LabVIEW

The LabVIEW graphical development platform is an ideal hub for the development of scalable test, measurement, and control applications that need to communicate with sensors, devices, PLCs, drives, instruments, and more. NI communication interfaces and software tools are compatible with LabVIEW for maximum integration.

NI LabWindows™/CVI

LabWindows/CVI combines the longevity and reusability of ANSI C with engineering-specific functionality designed for instrument control, data acquisition, analysis, and user interface development. With CVI-compatible drivers, NI communication interfaces and software are ideal for connecting CVI to external devices.

NI TestStand

NI TestStand helps you develop, manage, and execute test sequences written in any programming language as well as facilitate integration with enterprise systems. NI TestStand readily integrates with NI communication products.

The mark LabWindows is used under a license from Microsoft Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.