Use the NI-DCPower driver with the PXIe-4190 to control the output the instrument generates. Depending on the output function and source mode, you can configure the appropriate output levels and limits.

Complete the following steps to define an output type, choose a source mode, and set the output levels and limits relevant to those selections.
  1. Use the Configure Output Function function to set the output type you want to generate: DC Voltage or DC Current.
    • Select an output type:
      Option Description
      DC Voltage A channel attempts to generate the desired output voltage level, as long as the output current is below the current limit.
      DC Current A channel attempts to generate the desired output current level, as long as the output voltage is below the voltage limit.
  2. Configure the source mode with the Configure Source Mode With Channels function.
    The source mode controls how the channel generates output levels.
  3. Depending on your output function and source mode, set the relevant levels and limits with the following functions and/or properties.
    • DC output functions:
      Output Function Source Mode Level Control Limit Control
      DC Voltage Single Point voltage level input to Configure Voltage Level current limit input to Configure Current Limit
      Sequence Simple sequence values input to Set Sequence current limit input to Configure Current Limit
      Advanced sequence Voltage Level property Current Limit property
      DC Current Single Point current level input to Configure Current Level voltage limit input to Configure Voltage Limit
      Sequence Simple sequence values input to Set Sequence voltage limit input to Configure Voltage Limit
      Advanced sequence Current Level property Voltage Limit property
  4. Further define the parameters of the channel output.
    The NI-DCPower API includes numerous functions and properties to exert finer control over the output. For example, among other aspects, you can specify output ranges, set asymmetric compliance limits with respect to zero, control the on and off time of pulses, or take advantage of triggering.