RFmx and NI-RFSA both allow you to develop programs to control the signal analysis functionality of NI VSAs and VSTs. NI recommends using the RFmx API for most signal analysis applications, but there are specific cases where using the NI-RFSA API is necessary to access specific functionality.

Use the following guidelines to determine if you should use NI-RFSA instead of RFmx.
Software OptionWhen to Use
RFmx Recommended for all signal analysis applications unless you need specific functionality available only through NI-RFSA. Simplifies program development relative to NI-RFSA.
NI-RFSA
  • Supporting existing NI-RFSA applications
  • If RFmx does not have the flexibility for triggering and events that your application requires
  • If your application makes use of NI-TClk synchronization
  • If your application makes use of peer-to-peer streaming
  • If you are writing custom demodulation algorithms
  • If your application requires the fastest access to raw I/Q data
Refer to the documentation for the signal analysis software you chose to develop a program with that software.