How does NI9263 binary code map to output voltage?

[kingman]

In the NI9263 specs, it says it's 16 bits and has an output range of +- 10V. Does this mean that the 16 bits spans the entire range from -10V to +10V? I don't need a bipolar output, so does that mean I'm limited to 15 bits resolution if I want, say, only 0-10V output?

[chaka1234]

Hi kingman,

The +-10V output range is the maximum output range that this module can provide. The resolution won't change even if you change your output range.

If you set your output range from 0V to 10 V, the smaller detectable change would be 152.6 uV. However, if you have set the output range +-10V, the smaller change detectable would be 305.2uV.

A 16 bit device will divide your range into 2^16 divisions.

- Carmen C.

[chaka1234 · Accepted solution]

Hi kingman,

I made a mistake, I checked the 9263 specs, and this device is fixed at +-10Volts. However, if you set the output range from 0 to 10 Volts, you still have 305.2 uV as a smaller change detectable.

Carmen C. 

[kingman]

Thanks, Carmen,

   Your 2nd answer is what I was afraid of: for a range of 0 - 10v, the effective resolution is actually 15 bits. The 16 bits applies to the entire -10 to +10 range.