Synchronizing multiple TTL outputs with analog acquisition

[Elaine]

I need to output a TTL Pulse to trigger a laser. This needs to be synchronised with the analog acquistion. I
have found an example that shows how to do this called Delay Trig.vi. However, I also need to synchronise the
above with the ouput of a delayed finite pulse train.
I am using a NI 6024 E Series Card. Is it possible to
do this using one card? Is the NI 6024 suitable and if not how can it be done? I also need to record all of the data so that the TTL outputs can be plotted with the aquired analog data. This can be done after the acquisition is complete. Thanks
Elaine Fisher

[Sonya W.]

The NI 6024E only has two counters. Outputing a single TTL pulse would require one of the counters; outputing a delayed finite pulse train (using counters) would require more than the remaining single counter.

However, depending on the frequency of your delayed finite pulse train, you might be able to use an analog output channel on your board to generate this signal. The NI 6024E can perform analog output at a rate of 10 kS/s using DMA or 1 kS/s using interrupts. I recommend trying to generate this signal (including the initial delay) by customizing the "Generate N Updates - E Series D-Trig" LabVIEW shipping example.

If this works for you, then you could combine that shipping example with two others --"Generate Single Triggered Pulse (DAQ-STC)" and e
ither a continuous or finite (depending on your application) analog input example that is started by a digital trigger. All three of these examples would then rely on the same external digital trigger (which you would need to provide) to start the operations at the same time.

If this method works for you, you will have an array of analog output data and an array of analog input data that you can write to file.

I hope this helps!

Sonya Wornson
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[The_Tick]

Elaine:

I am experiencing a similar problem with my experimental setup...however, this answer looks like a possible solution. I was wondering if you had success using this method? If not what have you decided on?

Thanks