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NI reconfigurable I/O (RIO) products are used in system-level applications that require high-speed, closed-loop control with high-precision measurement on a flexible development platform. Sometimes, these applications require more channels or a more distributed architecture than what the core system can provide. Expansion I/O systems make a 1-to-N system topology possible with one controller and “N” field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and I/O nodes for flexible, high-channel-count systems that can perform both distributed control and localized processing.
Table of Contents
Product Comparison
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Use the high-performance expansion chassis for high-channel-count applications. |
Add FPGA-enabled I/O to anywhere on your Ethernet network. |
Use deterministic I/O over EtherCAT for distributed applications. |
Easily monitor your assets with reliable, battery-powered measurement nodes. |
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| I/O Count | 8 or 14 C Series slots | 4 or 8 C Series slots | 8 C Series slots | 36 Nodes/Gateway |
| FPGA | Virtex-5 (LX50/LX85/LX110) | Spartan 2M/Spartan 6 (LX45) | Spartan 2M | N/A |
| Network Topology | Daisy Chain/Star | Same as Ethernet | Daisy Chain/Star | Star/Tree/Mesh |
| Distance | 7 m between chassis | 100 m before hub | 100 m before repeater | Up to 300 m single hop range |
| Multidevice Synchronization | FPGA-based DIO | FPGA-based DIO | Implicit in bus | Shared network time base |
| Communication Jitter | <10 μs | No Spec | <1 μs | No Spec |
| Bus Throughput | 250 MB/s | 12.5 MB/s | 12.5 MB/s | 250 kb/s |
| API Support | FPGA Host Interface | FPGA Host Interface/RSI | RSI | RSI |
| Host | Windows/Real-Time | Windows/Real-Time | Real-Time Only | Windows/Real-Time |
Want More Detail?
Need more details on choosing the right expansion I/O option?
Read an in-depth feature comparison
View an overview webcast comparing expansion I/O options
Additional Resources
Configure a Complete NI CompactRIO System With the NI Online Product Advisor
See more resources for Expansion I/O
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