Product Introduction
The NI PCI-6259 is a high-performance M Series multifunction data acquisition (DAQ) device designed for automated test, industrial measurement, sensor monitoring, laboratory research, and control applications. It combines high-channel-count analog input, analog output, digital I/O, and counter/timer functionality in a single PCI-based measurement board.
Featuring up to 80 analog input channels, 16-bit ADC resolution, 1.25 MS/s maximum sampling rate, 4 analog output channels, 48 digital I/O lines, and two 32-bit counter/timers, the PCI-6259 provides a versatile platform for complex measurement and automation systems.
Product Overview
The NI PCI-6259 belongs to the NI M Series multifunction DAQ family and is designed for applications requiring a large number of measurement channels combined with reliable timing, triggering, and synchronization capabilities.
Compared with lower-channel DAQ devices, the PCI-6259 provides a significantly larger I/O resource set, making it suitable for applications involving many sensors, test points, actuators, and external control signals.
The device integrates analog acquisition, analog generation, digital communication, and hardware timing functions into one PCI board, reducing system complexity and improving measurement system scalability.
Key Features
80 Analog Input Channels
The PCI-6259 provides high-density analog input capability for large-scale measurement systems.
- 80 single-ended analog input channels
- 40 differential analog input channels
- Multi-channel sensor measurement
- Large-scale data acquisition
- Automated test point monitoring
Advantage: A high number of analog input channels allows engineers to measure many signals with fewer DAQ devices, simplifying system architecture.
16-Bit Analog Input Resolution
The PCI-6259 uses a 16-bit analog-to-digital converter for accurate and reliable signal measurement.
- 16-bit ADC resolution
- High-quality signal conversion
- Voltage measurement
- Sensor acquisition
- Electronic testing
Advantage: Provides an effective balance between measurement accuracy, sampling performance, and channel density.
1.25 MS/s Analog Input Sampling Rate
The PCI-6259 supports high-speed analog acquisition for dynamic measurement applications.
- Up to 1.25 MS/s aggregate sampling rate
- Hardware-timed acquisition
- Continuous waveform recording
- Dynamic signal monitoring
- Automated measurement sequences
Advantage: Enables measurement of changing signals while maintaining high channel-count capability.
Multiplexed Analog Input Architecture
The PCI-6259 uses multiplexed analog input technology to provide many channels through shared ADC resources.
- Multi-channel scanning
- Flexible acquisition configuration
- Efficient ADC utilization
- High channel density
Advantage: Provides economical large-channel measurement capability for automated test systems.
4 Analog Output Channels
The PCI-6259 includes four analog output channels for programmable voltage generation.
- 4 analog output channels
- 16-bit DAC resolution
- Analog stimulus generation
- Control voltage output
- Waveform generation
Advantage: Allows the same DAQ platform to both measure signals and generate analog excitation.
48 Digital I/O Lines
The PCI-6259 provides extensive digital I/O resources for hardware control and monitoring.
- 48 digital I/O lines
- Digital input acquisition
- Digital output control
- Relay and fixture control
- External device interfacing
Advantage: Provides sufficient digital resources for complex automated test fixtures and industrial systems.
Two 32-Bit Counter/Timers
The PCI-6259 includes two 32-bit counter/timer channels for accurate timing and event measurement.
- Event counting
- Frequency measurement
- Pulse generation
- Pulse-width measurement
- Encoder applications
Advantage: Hardware-based timing improves measurement accuracy for digital timing applications.
Analog and Digital Triggering
The PCI-6259 supports hardware triggering for synchronized acquisition and generation operations.
- Analog triggering
- Digital triggering
- External event synchronization
- Hardware-timed tasks
- Automated test control
Advantage: Allows measurement operations to start precisely according to external events or signal conditions.
PCI Bus Interface
The PCI-6259 connects directly to compatible desktop and industrial computers through a PCI expansion slot.
- PCI interface
- Industrial PC integration
- Desktop DAQ systems
- Automated test stations
Advantage: Provides a practical solution for existing PCI-based measurement platforms.
NI-DAQmx Software Support
The PCI-6259 is supported by NI-DAQmx for hardware configuration, programming, acquisition, generation, and synchronization.
- NI-DAQmx driver support
- LabVIEW integration
- NI MAX configuration
- TestStand integration
- C/C++ and .NET development
Advantage: Enables engineers to create customized automated measurement and test applications.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | PCI M Series Multifunction DAQ Device |
| Analog Input Channels | 80 Single-Ended / 40 Differential |
| Analog Input Resolution | 16-bit |
| Maximum Analog Input Rate | 1.25 MS/s |
| Analog Output Channels | 4 |
| Analog Output Resolution | 16-bit |
| Digital I/O | 48 Lines |
| Counter/Timers | 2 × 32-bit |
| Triggering | Analog and Digital Triggering |
| Host Interface | PCI |
| DAQ Family | NI M Series |
| Driver | NI-DAQmx |
| Primary Applications | High-Channel Data Acquisition, Automated Test, Industrial Monitoring and Control |
Software Ecosystem
The NI PCI-6259 works with NI software tools for measurement, automation, data logging, and control development.
- NI-DAQmx: Provides drivers and APIs for analog input, analog output, digital I/O, counters, triggering, and timing.
- LabVIEW: Enables graphical programming for data acquisition, analysis, visualization, and automated testing.
- NI MAX: Provides device configuration, diagnostics, self-test, and system verification.
- TestStand: Allows DAQ measurements to be integrated into production and validation test sequences.
Industries
- Automotive Testing
- Electronic Manufacturing
- Industrial Automation
- Aerospace and Defense
- Scientific Research
- Laboratory Testing
- Embedded System Development
- Automated Test Equipment
Applications
Large-Scale Sensor Acquisition
The PCI-6259 is suitable for systems requiring measurement of many analog sensors.
- Temperature monitoring
- Pressure acquisition
- Force measurement
- Industrial sensor systems
Automated Test Equipment
The multifunction architecture makes the PCI-6259 suitable for automated validation and production test systems.
- Functional testing
- Electronic validation
- Production inspection
- Device characterization
Industrial Monitoring
The PCI-6259 can collect and monitor multiple industrial signals in automation systems.
- Machine condition monitoring
- Process measurement
- Equipment diagnostics
- Data logging
Laboratory Automation
The PCI-6259 provides flexible measurement and control capabilities for research environments.
- Experimental measurement
- Prototype testing
- Automated experiments
- Signal acquisition
Control and Test Fixture Applications
The combination of analog and digital resources allows direct integration with automated fixtures.
- Relay control
- Digital device control
- Test sequence management
- Hardware automation
Comparison with Similar Multifunction DAQ Devices
| Model | Main Difference | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| NI PCI-6259 | High-channel M Series DAQ with 80 AI, 4 AO, and 48 DIO for complex PCI-based measurement systems. | Large-scale multifunction DAQ |
| NI PCI-6255 | High-channel M Series DAQ with similar analog input capability but fewer digital and analog output resources. | High-channel acquisition systems |
| NI PCI-6289 | High-accuracy M Series DAQ featuring 18-bit analog input resolution for precision measurement. | Precision measurement applications |
| NI PCIe-6363 | PCI Express X Series DAQ with higher performance and advanced timing capabilities. | High-speed desktop DAQ systems |
Recommended Related Products
| NI PCI-6255 | High-channel M Series DAQ for applications requiring many analog inputs and reliable automated measurement. |
| NI PCI-6289 | High-accuracy M Series DAQ for precision sensor measurement and laboratory applications. |
| NI PCIe-6363 | High-performance PCI Express multifunction DAQ for advanced automated test systems. |
| NI PXI-6259 | PXI version of the PCI-6259 for modular PXI automated test and measurement platforms. |
Why Choose PCI-6259?
- 80 analog input channels
- 16-bit ADC resolution
- 1.25 MS/s acquisition rate
- 4 analog output channels
- 48 digital I/O lines
- Two 32-bit counter/timers
- Analog and digital triggering
- PCI-based installation
- NI-DAQmx software support
- Excellent for high-channel measurement systems
- Suitable for automated testing and industrial monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NI PCI-6259?
The NI PCI-6259 is a high-channel M Series multifunction PCI DAQ device designed for analog measurement, analog output, digital control, and automated testing.
How many analog inputs does PCI-6259 provide?
The PCI-6259 provides up to 80 single-ended analog inputs or 40 differential analog inputs.
What is the resolution of PCI-6259?
The PCI-6259 provides 16-bit analog input resolution.
What is the maximum sampling rate of PCI-6259?
The PCI-6259 supports analog input sampling rates up to 1.25 MS/s.
Does PCI-6259 have analog outputs?
Yes. The PCI-6259 provides four analog output channels for programmable voltage generation and stimulus applications.
How many digital I/O channels does PCI-6259 have?
The PCI-6259 provides 48 digital I/O lines.
What software supports PCI-6259?
The PCI-6259 is supported by NI-DAQmx and integrates with LabVIEW, NI MAX, TestStand, and compatible programming environments.
What is the difference between PCI-6255 and PCI-6259?
Both devices belong to the NI M Series family and provide 80 analog input channels with 16-bit resolution and 1.25 MS/s sampling. The PCI-6259 provides more digital I/O lines and additional analog output capability, making it better suited for complex control and automation systems.
What is the difference between PCI-6259 and PCI-6289?
The PCI-6259 focuses on higher channel density and multifunction capability, while the PCI-6289 provides higher analog input accuracy with 18-bit resolution for precision measurement applications.
Can PCI-6259 be used for automated testing?
Yes. The combination of analog input, analog output, digital I/O, counters, and NI-DAQmx support makes the PCI-6259 suitable for automated test and validation systems.
Conclusion
The NI PCI-6259 M Series multifunction DAQ device provides a powerful PCI-based solution for high-channel-count data acquisition, automated testing, industrial monitoring, and laboratory measurement. With 80 analog inputs, 16-bit resolution, 1.25 MS/s sampling, four analog outputs, 48 digital I/O lines, counter/timer functionality, and NI-DAQmx software support, the PCI-6259 is ideal for demanding multifunction measurement applications.
