How to synchronize analog & counter and two usb devices

[DavidT]

Hi, 

What I'm looking to do is synchronize analog inputs and a counter input on one device (USB-6009) and then synch this device to another usb device USB-9211A. 

I've had a look around the website and there are few knowledge base articles on how to do these operations independantely (i.e channel synch and device synch) but I'm unsure how to bring it all together. My concern is that the USB-6009 has only one counter (which doubles as the PFI?) and this is usually used to output the timing signal to the slave device? Wont that mean that I wont be able to use the counter as a measurement input? Does the USB-9211A have a PFI connection?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers!

[Kyle_A.]

Hi DavidT,

You are correct in stating that you will not be about to use the counter on your 6009 as well as synchronize to another device.  The USB-9211A does not have a PFI connection natively, but if you need a carrier which has a PFI connection it may be worth considering the ENET-9163.  This isn't USB form factor and does require some additional setup, but it does provide the additional PFI lines for synchronization and it's still a one card carrier.

If this doesn't work, you can consider software synchronization but that will not be very tight synchronization.  However in some cases with slower acquisitions it can be acceptable.

[DavidT]

Hi Kyle,

That's very useful information. Are there any USB TC devices that I can use with synchronization capabilities? I can connect the TC's to the 6009, but I'd rather steer away from a third party signal amplifier for the thermocouples. 

Best regards,

David

[Kyle_A. · Accepted solution]

Hi David,

If you want to synchronize and still stay USB, you would have to look at the 4-slot USB chassis 9174.  With this, you can get a digital I/O module, for instance the 9401, to interface with the chassis backplane and synchronize the chassis to another device such as the 6009.  Another positive this could present is the 9174 backplane has counters embedded in the chassis that have more capabilities than the 6009 counter and can be accessed through the same DIO module you use for synchronization.  That seems to be the best route to go given the capabilities you are looking for.