Multiple NIDAQ units on a single PC

[Andy Peat]

Hello,

I have designed a program using Labview 8.6 in conjunction with a NIDAQ device and the program works fine. I now want to give this program to my test engineers. The program will only function with my original NIDAQ device I used to create the program. The program seems to attach itself to the serial number of the NIDAQ device, changing device and interfaces under the Measurements and Automation explorer does not make a difference. Is there a way I can have a single PC that can run any NIDAQ device (same make and model) that is plugged into the PC and run my program? Note there will only ever be a single NIDAQ device connected to the PC.

We buy a lot of NIDAQ units, and need to test each one with our system before it is dispatched. I do not want to change the input source for each NIDAQ device, as this will take a lot of time.

The model of the NIDAQ: USB-6509

Thanks

Andy

[taper]

You can use the DAQmx System and DAQmx Device Property Nodes to get the Device ID and Name during runtime.  From this you can create your tasks or whatever else you need using the device physically present on the PC.

You say you changed Device IDs in MAX and it didn't work.  Do you have the same version of DAQmx on yours and the test engineer's systems?  Are there any simulated devices configured?(That caught me once.)  What is the Device ID on both systems?

[Andy Peat]

Hey Taper,

I found the serial number and device name (DEV0), and each time I install another NIDAQ is see another device DEV1, DEV2....etc. I tried deleting all of the devices using the Measurement and Automation tool and then reinstalling a single NIDAQ that wasnt working. Unfortunatley this had no effect, but as soon as I installed the NIDAQ that worked previously everything sprang into life. Thats why I thought the program was attached to the serial number.

I have given the test engineer the laptop I designed the program with, so I dont think its an issue with the PC, its just that this PC has fallen in love with this single NIDAQ device and it doesnt want to work with any other. At the moment I have three NIDAQ devices all exactly the same and only a single unit will function with the program. The other two units could be faulty but i find this doubtful.

Could you elaborate on "Are there any simulated devices configured?" quite simply I have my system (which I know works), my NIDAQ device and a PC. The program simply replicates the LED's on the front of my system, very simple indeed.

Thanks

Andy

[taper]

When you configure a DAQmx task you should have something along the lines of "Dev0/port0/line0:3".  If your DAQ card isn't at Dev0 then it won't work.  I think this is your problem.  You can rename devices in MAX, don't have to delete everything.  On the engineer's PC make sure the DAQ is named Dev0 and try running again.  If that doesn't work are you able to post the code?

You can create simulated devices in MAX that let you test your code without having physical hardware.  Useful for debugging but it doesn't sound like you have any.

[JÞB]

you can actually get this one step further using NI Device monitor.  You can create a small exe that will run anytime a device is connected and even filter it so that it runs only with 1 type of device or a few serial numbers.  I would let this exe assign the device serial number as the new alias.  With the new system API it should be easy to find any installed devices alias by type

Reid takes you step by step in this tutorial.