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  1. Home
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  4. Data Acquisition (DAQ) and Sensor I/O
  5. Multifunction I/O for Test and Measurement

Multifunction I/O

NI multifunction I/O devices integrate essential measurement and control capabilities like analog input/output, digital I/O, and counter/timer functions into a single device. This combination of features reduces hardware complexity, simplifies test system design, and supports diverse applications from data acquisition to automation.

View all multifunction I/O products
NI PXIe, PCIe, and USB Multifunction I/O DAQ devices

What Multifunction I/O Hardware Is Right for You?

NI PXIe-6381 18-bit multifunction I/O DAQ module

18-Bit Voltage Input with Multiple Gain Settings

Multiple gain settings let you optimize accuracy based on your signal levels. Lower input ranges use the same ADC resolution, so each bit measures a smaller value.


Recommended Uses

  • Low-voltage (1 V) signals
  • Noisy signals
  • Voltage rails on PCBs
View 18-bit multifunction I/O DAQ devices

FAQ

    An NI Partner is a business entity independent from NI and has no agency or joint-venture relationship and does not form part of any business associations with NI. 

    Simultaneous sampling NI USB-6451 mioDAQ device

    Simultaneous Sampling

    NI multifunction I/O input devices with simultaneous sampling have one ADC per channel for a cleaner measurement and sample rates that don’t slow down as you add more channels.


    Recommended Uses

    • Correlated measurements
    • I/V measurements on PCB
    • Stimulus response applications
    Find devices with simultaneous sampling
    The NI PCIe-6321 with four counter/timers

    Built-In Counter/Timers and Frequency Generators

    Most NI multifunction I/O devices include four 32-bit counter/timers with a 100 MHz base clock (20 MHz base clock for separate frequency generator function).


    Recommended Uses

    • Pulse/event counting
    • PWM measurement/generation
    • Frequency measurement
    • Quadrature encoders
    View devices with onboard counters/timers
    NI PXIe-6368 with 2 MS/s/ch sampling rate

    High-Speed Sampling

    Capture transients, get better time resolution, or use software averaging to reduce noise on any of the 20+ NI DAQ devices that sample between 1 MS/s and 14 MS/s.


    Recommended Uses

    • Ballistic/impact and shock tube applications
    • High-frequency harmonic measurements
    • Electronics sleep/wake event monitoring
    • Combustion analysis
    Find devices that sample at 1 MS/s or faster
    NI PXIe-6375 with 208 AI channels

    High Channel Density: Up to 208 Channels

    More channels on a single device lowers the cost per channel. For even more channels, install multiple PXI Express DAQ modules in a PXI Express chassis.


    Recommended Uses

    • Cost-optimized manufacturing test systems
    • Research testbeds
    • Wind tunnels
    Find devices with 80 or more channels

    Shop by Bus

    USB
    PCI/PCI Express
    PXI/PXI Express

    Explore Related Categories

    Counter/Timers
    Digital I/O
    Cables
    Connectors

    Additional Multifunction I/O Products

    PXI Multifunction I/O Bundle

    Featured Product

    NI PXIe and PCIe DAQ devices

    Multifunction I/O Device and PXI Multifunction I/O Module

    A multifunction I/O device and PXI multifunction I/O module combines flexible channels, sample rates, and outputs for reliable data acquisition and control—ideal for applications such as laboratory automation, research, and design verification.


    • Supported buses: USB, PCI, PXI
    • ±10 V measurements
    • Includes analog input, analog output, digital input/output, counters/timers
    Learn more about Multifunction I/O Devices and PXI Multifunction I/O Modules
    Image of cDAQ-9173 with white background

    An Engineer’s Guide to Data Acquisition

    This guide consolidated decades of high-quality measurement expertise into one guidebook. We put this guide together to help you understand basic data acquisition (DAQ) principles and take better measurements with—or without—NI hardware.
    Download now

    Multifunction I/O Fundamentals

    Terminology

    Specifications Explained: NI Multifunction I/O (MIO) DAQ
    Specifications Explained: C Series Modules
    Data Acquisition Basics and Terminology
    Specifications Explained: NI Multifunction Reconfigurable I/O
    Pinout Terminology and Definitions for NI DAQ Devices

    Selection Guides

    How to Choose the Right DAQ Hardware for Your Measurement System
    Is Your Data Inaccurate Because of Instrumentation Amplifier Settling Time?
    How to Choose Between NI Data Acquisition Devices or Systems
    Benefits of Delta-Sigma Analog-to-Digital Conversion

    FPGA-Based Hardware

    The NI LabVIEW RIO Architecture: A Foundation for Innovation

    NI Software for Multifunction I/O Hardware

    Help me choose software

    Selecting Multifunction I/O Software


    All NI multifunction I/O hardware without a user-programmable FPGA is programmed using the NI-DAQmx driver, which includes APIs for NI LabVIEW and other text-based programming languages. These devices can also be used with NI FlexLogger™ software for no-code data logging and visualization.


    FPGA-equipped devices require the LabVIEW FPGA Module for full programming and customization.

    NI FlexLogger

    FlexLogger provides sensor configuration and data logging of mixed signals to verify electromechanical systems, all without programming.

    NI LabVIEW

    NI LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment that provides unique productivity accelerators for test system development, such as an intuitive approach to programming, connectivity to any instrument, and fully integrated user interfaces.

    NI DIAdem

    DIAdem is data management software for measurement data aggregation, inspection, analysis, and reporting.


    Multifunction I/O Resources

    Download NI-DAQmx

    Download driver for most multifunction I/O hardware

    Download a free trial of FlexLogger

    Download data logging software for multifunction I/O hardware

    Download a free trial of LabVIEW

    Try LabVIEW for free

    Programming with NI-DAQmx

    Getting Started with NI-DAQmx
    Group of partners working together in a lab

    Get Help from an NI Partner

    The NI Partner Program offers domain, application, and overall test development expertise to help your team get ahead and stay ahead. Connect with our global community of trusted NI Partners ready to give your business a competitive edge.
    Find a partner
    Advanced Data Acquisition Techniques with Multifunction Reconfigurable I/O Hardware
    NI Multifunction RIO Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    Timing and Synchronization Features of NI-DAQmx
    NI-DAQmx High-Speed Streaming to Disk
    NI-DAQmx User Manual

    Multifunction Measurement Concepts

    Measurement Fundamentals
    How to Measure Voltage, Current, and Power
    Data Acquisition Using NI-DAQmx and LabVIEW Course

    Device Details

    Calculating Absolute Accuracy or System Accuracy
    DAQ Devices with Hardware-Timed Single Point Sampling Mode Support
    Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) Used in NI DAQ Devices
    Features and Differences of NI Multifunction DAQ PFI Lines