The PXIe-6509 is designed for use in a system that includes other hardware components, drivers, and software.

Notice A system and the surrounding environment must meet the requirements defined in the PXIe-6509 Specifications.

The following table defines the minimum required hardware and software for a system that includes a PXIe-6509.

Table 2. System Components
Component Description and Recommendations
PXI Chassis

 A PXI chassis houses the PXIe-6509 and supplies power, communication, and timing for PXIe-6509 functions.
PXI Controller or PXI Remote Control Module

 You can install a PXI controller or a PXI remote control (MXI) module depending on your system requirements. These components, installed in the same PXI chassis as the PXIe-6509, interface with the module using NI device drivers.
DIO Module

 Your digital I/O module.
Cables and Accessories

 Cables and accessories allow connectivity to/from your instrument for measurements. Refer to Cables and Accessories for recommended cables and accessories and guidance.
NI-DAQmx

Instrument driver software that provides functions to interact with the PXIe-6509 and execute measurements using the PXIe-6509.
Note NI recommends always using the most current version of NI-DAQmx with the PXIe-6509. You can find the NI-DAQmx driver requirements in the NI-DAQmx Readme.
NI Applications

 NI-DAQmx offers driver support for the following applications:
  • LabVIEW
  • LabWindows/CVI
  • SignalExpress
  • Measurement Studio
  • ANSI C
  • FlexLogger
  • Python

Cables and Accessories

Notice Operate this product only with shielded cables and accessories. Do not use unshielded cables or accessories unless they are installed in a shielded enclosure with properly designed and shielded input/output ports and connected to the product using a shielded cable. If unshielded cables or accessories are not properly installed and shielded, the EMC specifications for the product are no longer guaranteed.

NI recommends using the following cables and accessories with the PXIe-6509.

Accessory Description Notes Part Number
SH100M-100M Flex Multifunction Cable Shielded, 1 m and 2 m lengths, formerly known as the SH100-100-F cable 185095-01/02
R1005050 Connection Ribbon Cable Unshielded, 0.5 m, 1 m, and 2 m lengths, conversion to two 50-pin connectors 182762-01/02/0R5
SCB-100A I/O Connector Block Shielded 785024-01
CB-50 Connector Block DIN-Rail Mount, unshielded 776164-90
CB-50LP Connector Block Panel Mount, unshielded 777101-01
CB-100 I/O Kit Cable included in kit, unshielded 777812-01
Note Refer to DAQ Multifunction I/O Cable and Accessory Compatibility for more information about supported cables and accessories for your instrument.

Programming Options

You can use the NI-DAQmx to communicate with and control the PXIe-6509 and program your device in the supported ADE of your choice.

  • NI-DAQmx Driver—The NI-DAQmx driver includes a library of functions and VIs you can call from your application software to program your module.
    • LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI—Available on the LabVIEW Functions palette at Measurement I/O » NI DAQmx. Examples are available from the Start menu in the National Instruments folder.
    • ANSI C—For instructions to manually add all required library files to your project, refer to the ANSI C Application without LabWindows/CVI section in the NI-DAQmx User Manual.
    • .NET—For instructions to use NI-DAQmx to create .NET applications, refer to the Creating a .NET Application without Measurement Studio section in the NI-DAQmx User Manual.
    • SignalExpress—For instructions to take an NI-DAQmx measurement in SignalExpress, refer to the Taking an NI-DAQmx Measurement in SignalExpress document from the Help » DAQ Assistant in SignalExpress Help.
    • Python—For more information about using Python to interact with NI-DAQmx, refer to NI-DAQmx Python Documentation.
  • FlexLogger—You can use FlexLogger to acquire, visualize, and log measurement data for your device. For more information about using FlexLogger to interact with NI-DAQmx and your device, refer to FlexLogger User Manual.