CompactDAQ chassis and multifunction I/O devices have onboard counters that you can configure and use similarly to counter module channels. An onboard counter such as the NI-9361 appears as a module in FlexLogger but operates differently from a typical counter module.

Introduced in FlexLogger 2020 R4

When configuring and using onboard counters, keep in mind the following functionality:

  • CompactDAQ chassis and multifunction I/O devices connect differently. You can use the available digital lines to connect to the onboard counter of multifunction I/O devices. To connect to the onboard counter of a CompactDAQ chassis, you must insert a supported digital C Series module into the chassis. For more information about supported digital modules, refer to Digital I/O Considerations for C Series and TestScale Devices in the NI-DAQmx User Manual.
  • You must specify which digital line you want to use as the input terminal. You may have multiple options.
  • Onboard counters can't create their own internal sample clock. FlexLogger uses the Frequency Output (FREQ OUT) signal to supply the clock source.
  • Onboard counters have fixed sample rates but can sync to the data rate of an analog channel within the same chassis. Selecting Counter sets the onboard counter to use fixed data rates determined by the Frequency Output signal. The onboard counter can't synchronize with anything else on the board when you select Counter as the data rate. The Frequency Output signal only allows for data rates between 6.25 kHz and 20 MHz.

    Syncing to an analog channel in the same chassis allows the onboard counter to use the configured data rate level.

  • You can configure onboard counters and counters on multifunction I/O devices to use the Slow, Medium, or Fast. You must first configure an analog input channel or digital channel in the same chassis to access these data rates.

For more information about onboard counters and the Frequency Output signal, refer to the device manuals for your cDAQ chassis or multifunction I/O devices. Navigate to Counters » Counter Timing Engine and Counters » Counter Output Applications » Frequency Generation.