Develop a DAQ Digital I/O Application in Linux

[Robst]

Hello:

I've been requested to integrate some basic digital I/O capabilities to a software developed in C++ running on a PC with Linux, specifically Mint and Ubuntu. I would like to use a NI DAQ PCI device like the NI PCI-6221 or the NI PCI-6503, however, I've found that the NI Linux support is quite limited, and that Debian-based Linux distributions are not supported in general. I've found in the National Instruments Linux Portal about comedi and both devices I mentioned are supported. Is comedi the best alternative for this situation?, or what would be the right way to follow? Basic digital I/O is the only requirement, with rates no faster than 50 updates/second.

Thanks in advance.

[jagutier]

Hello, 

Comedi can be a good option to use your PCI cards of interest, if you only want to make simple DIO Applications you shold not have any problem. Take into account the following limitations: 

What Are Some of the Limitations of Comedi? 

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/FE65DE3647BC7F1B86256DA4007E55B1

Regards!

[Robst]

Hello:

Thank you for your reply. Yes, comedi was indeed a good option for my application. In the end, I used it and was able to fullfil all the requirements for my application. I used an NI PCI-6221 and I was able to control the DIO lines, the PFI lines as well as the counters in the card. The examples included with comedi were of much help.

Best regards.