I would like to evaluate USB DAQ products for integration into a new product.

[dullard]

I need a USB-based DAQ product that can measure two thermistors, a thermocouple (pre-amplified if needed and I have CJC already available so that need not be on the DAQ), and has 4 to 8 digital outputs.  This will be for integrating into a mass produced product, so low cost is a requirement.

The USB-6009 appears to best meet my needs, if it can measure the thermocouple accurately enough.  The USB-6008's price is attractive, but will the throughput and low resolution be adequate for thermocouples?  The USB-6210's spec sheet looks like it would be quite capable at reading thermocouples accurately.  However, I am concerned that with only 4 digital outputs, I might be constrained.  Does the USB-6210 work well with the USB-6501 for the additional digital outputs that I may need?

Is it possible to get samples of your products for a few weeks to try before I buy?  I would really like to test each of the products above and then buy the one that best meets my needs.

Thanks

[Nathan]

Greetings Dullard,

The USB-6009 could meet your accuracy requirements, but it would depend on your custom amplification. Without any signal conditionning, the USB-6009 can provide accuracy within 2 to 3 degrees celcius. 

The USB-6210 has limited digital functionnality, but we also have the newly released USB-6212 which provides 400 kS/s analog inputs and 32 DIOs. Hopefully this is not outside of your price range. Most of our USB-621x Bus-Powered M Series data acquisition devices are available in a board-only OEM form factor, providing IDC connectors for easy board-mating. Page 6 of the following manual illustrates this: http://www.ni.com/pdf/products/us/372083b.pdf

Hope this answers your questions.

Nathan Yang | Data Acquisition Product Manager | National Instruments

[Steve.J]

Hi Dullard,

You may be able to get the accuracy/resolution needed with the 6008/6009 products if your TC range is small enough by tailoring your signal conditioning to maximize the resolution to your temp range and by employing oversampling and filtering in software.  The USB-6501 will play nice with the 6210 series if you want to go that way or you can go with one of the other 62xx series that have more DIO.

We have OEM (board-only with mass termination connectors/headers) versions of most of these products for exactly your situation, and we have some flexibility with pricing for true OEM/embedded applications.  I recommend that you contact your local field sales person to discuss your application in detail.  He/she can arrange to get your sample hardware for evaluation and development.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,
Steve Johnson
OEM Sales Manager
National Instruments
steve.johnson@ni.com
+1-512-683-5113