Product Introduction
The NI PXI-6225 is a high-channel-count M Series multifunction data acquisition (DAQ) module designed for automated testing, multi-channel data acquisition, industrial monitoring, sensor measurement, and laboratory applications. Its large analog input capacity makes it particularly suitable for PXI systems that need to acquire signals from many sensors or test points using a single module.
Featuring up to 80 analog input channels, 16-bit resolution, a maximum aggregate sampling rate of 250 kS/s, digital I/O, and counter/timer functionality, the PXI-6225 provides a flexible platform for building high-density automated measurement systems.
Product Overview
The NI PXI-6225 belongs to the NI M Series multifunction DAQ family. It is optimized for applications where analog input channel density and multifunction capability are important system requirements.
The module provides up to 80 single-ended or 40 differential analog input channels. This high channel density allows engineers to monitor a large number of voltage signals, conditioned sensors, test points, and other analog sources without installing multiple lower-channel-count DAQ modules.
In addition to analog acquisition, the PXI-6225 provides digital I/O and counter/timer resources for device monitoring, fixture control, event counting, frequency measurement, and other automated test functions. Its PXI architecture also allows the module to operate alongside switching, instrumentation, timing, and control hardware in larger test systems.
Key Features
Up to 80 Analog Input Channels
One of the primary advantages of the PXI-6225 is its high analog input channel density.
- Up to 80 single-ended analog inputs
- Up to 40 differential analog inputs
- High-density voltage acquisition
- Multi-sensor measurement
- Large automated test systems
Advantage: A large number of measurement points can be consolidated into a single PXI module, helping reduce slot usage in high-channel-count systems.
16-Bit Analog Input Resolution
The PXI-6225 provides 16-bit analog-to-digital conversion for general-purpose and precision data acquisition.
- 16-bit ADC resolution
- Voltage signal measurement
- Sensor signal acquisition
- Automated electrical testing
- Repeatable measurement performance
Advantage: Provides suitable measurement resolution for a broad range of industrial, laboratory, and automated test applications.
250 kS/s Maximum Sampling Rate
The PXI-6225 supports an aggregate analog input sampling rate of up to 250 kS/s.
- Up to 250 kS/s aggregate sampling
- Multi-channel data acquisition
- Process monitoring
- Sensor measurements
- Automated test acquisition
Advantage: Provides a practical balance between high channel density and acquisition speed for systems monitoring many analog signals.
Multiplexed Analog Input Architecture
The PXI-6225 uses a multiplexed analog input architecture in which multiple input channels share the analog-to-digital conversion resources.
- High channel density
- Efficient hardware architecture
- Multi-point voltage measurement
- Sequential channel scanning
- Configurable acquisition sequences
Advantage: Multiplexing enables a significantly larger number of analog input channels to be provided within a compact PXI module.
Programmable Analog Input Ranges
The PXI-6225 supports software-selectable analog input ranges for measuring signals with different amplitudes.
- Programmable input ranges
- ±10 V maximum measurement range
- Low-level signal acquisition
- Flexible voltage measurements
- Software-controlled configuration
Advantage: Selecting an appropriate input range helps optimize the effective resolution for different signal levels.
Digital I/O Capability
The PXI-6225 provides digital I/O resources for interfacing with external devices and test fixtures.
- Digital input monitoring
- Digital output control
- Device status detection
- Fixture control
- Automated test sequencing
Advantage: Digital control and analog measurement functions can be combined within the same multifunction DAQ platform.
Counter and Timer Resources
Integrated counter/timer functionality supports a variety of timing and event measurement applications.
- Event counting
- Frequency measurement
- Period measurement
- Pulse-width measurement
- Pulse generation
Advantage: Expands the module beyond analog acquisition for applications requiring hardware-timed digital measurements.
Hardware Timing and Triggering
The PXI-6225 supports hardware-timed acquisition and triggering for repeatable automated measurements.
- Hardware triggering
- Sample clock control
- Timed acquisition
- Automated measurement sequences
- PXI system synchronization
Advantage: Hardware timing provides more predictable and repeatable measurement behavior than software-timed acquisition.
PXI System Integration
The PXI-6225 can be combined with other PXI instruments to build larger automated test and measurement platforms.
- PXI modular architecture
- Multi-instrument integration
- PXI triggering resources
- Scalable measurement systems
- Automated test platform development
Advantage: Engineers can combine high-density DAQ with switching, DMMs, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and other PXI instruments.
NI-DAQmx Software Support
The PXI-6225 is supported by NI-DAQmx for hardware configuration, measurement, timing, triggering, and application development.
- NI-DAQmx driver support
- LabVIEW integration
- NI MAX configuration
- TestStand integration
- C/C++ and .NET development
Advantage: Provides a mature software environment for developing automated measurement and data acquisition applications.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | PXI M Series Multifunction DAQ Module |
| Analog Input Channels | 80 Single-Ended / 40 Differential |
| Analog Input Resolution | 16-bit |
| Maximum Analog Input Sample Rate | 250 kS/s Aggregate |
| Analog Input Architecture | Multiplexed |
| Maximum Input Range | ±10 V |
| Analog Output | No |
| Digital I/O | 24 Channels |
| Counter/Timers | 2, 32-bit |
| Triggering | Digital and Analog Triggering Support |
| Bus Platform | PXI |
| Product Family | NI M Series Multifunction DAQ |
| Driver | NI-DAQmx |
| Primary Applications | High-Channel-Count DAQ, Automated Test, Sensor Measurement and Industrial Monitoring |
Software Ecosystem
The NI PXI-6225 integrates with the NI software ecosystem for configuration, data acquisition, visualization, analysis, and automated test development.
- NI-DAQmx: Provides configuration and programming APIs for analog input, digital I/O, counters, timing, and triggering.
- LabVIEW: Enables development of multi-channel acquisition, visualization, data logging, signal analysis, and automated measurement applications.
- NI MAX: Provides hardware detection, configuration, self-test, diagnostics, and basic measurement testing.
- TestStand: Enables PXI-6225 measurements to be incorporated into automated validation and production test sequences.
- C/C++ and .NET: Allow engineers to develop customized DAQ applications using compatible NI-DAQmx APIs.
Industries
- Automated Test
- Industrial Automation
- Electronic Manufacturing
- Aerospace and Defense
- Automotive Testing
- Energy and Power Systems
- Research and Development
- Scientific Laboratories
Applications
High-Channel-Count Data Acquisition
The PXI-6225 is particularly suitable for systems that must monitor a large number of analog measurement points.
- Multi-point voltage acquisition
- Large sensor arrays
- System monitoring
- Automated data logging
- High-density test systems
Automated Electronic Testing
The PXI-6225 can acquire signals from numerous test points within automated electronic validation systems.
- Functional testing
- Production validation
- Electronic subsystem testing
- Automated measurement sequences
Sensor Measurement
When used with appropriate sensors and signal conditioning, the PXI-6225 can acquire signals from many measurement channels.
- Pressure measurement
- Position measurement
- Force and load measurement
- General-purpose sensor acquisition
- Multi-sensor monitoring
Industrial Monitoring
The high channel count makes the PXI-6225 useful for monitoring multiple signals from industrial equipment and automated machinery.
- Process monitoring
- Machine diagnostics
- Equipment condition monitoring
- Production system measurement
Automotive Testing
The PXI-6225 can acquire multiple analog signals in automotive component and subsystem validation systems.
- Vehicle electronics testing
- Component validation
- Sensor monitoring
- Automated automotive test systems
Research and Laboratory Data Acquisition
The PXI-6225 provides researchers with a high-density programmable measurement platform for experimental systems.
- Experimental data acquisition
- Multi-channel laboratory measurements
- Prototype characterization
- Scientific data logging
Comparison with Similar PXI DAQ Modules
| Model | Main Difference | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| NI PXI-6225 | High-channel-count M Series DAQ with up to 80 single-ended analog inputs, 16-bit resolution, and 250 kS/s aggregate sampling. | High-density analog input acquisition |
| NI PXI-6251 | General-purpose M Series multifunction DAQ with a lower analog input channel count and analog output capability. | General-purpose multifunction DAQ |
| NI PXI-6259 | High-channel-count M Series multifunction DAQ with higher sampling performance and additional multifunction I/O capabilities. | Higher-performance high-density DAQ |
| NI PXI-6280 | High-accuracy M Series DAQ with 18-bit analog input resolution for applications prioritizing measurement precision. | High-accuracy analog measurement |
Recommended Related Products
| NI PXI-6259 | High-channel-count multifunction DAQ module for applications requiring greater acquisition performance and multifunction capability. |
| NI PXI-6251 | General-purpose M Series multifunction DAQ module for automated measurement, control, and laboratory systems. |
| NI PXI-6280 | 18-bit high-accuracy PXI multifunction DAQ module for applications requiring greater analog measurement resolution. |
| NI PXI-6133 | S Series simultaneous-sampling DAQ module for applications requiring significantly faster synchronized analog acquisition. |
Why Choose PXI-6225?
- Up to 80 single-ended analog input channels
- Up to 40 differential analog input channels
- 16-bit analog input resolution
- Up to 250 kS/s aggregate sampling rate
- High channel density in a PXI platform
- 24 digital I/O channels
- Two 32-bit counter/timers
- Hardware timing and triggering
- NI-DAQmx and LabVIEW integration
- Ideal for multi-sensor and high-channel-count measurement systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NI PXI-6225?
The NI PXI-6225 is a high-channel-count M Series multifunction data acquisition module designed for PXI systems. It combines analog input, digital I/O, counter/timer functionality, hardware timing, and triggering for automated measurement applications.
How many analog input channels does the PXI-6225 have?
The PXI-6225 supports up to 80 single-ended analog input channels or up to 40 differential analog input channels, making it particularly suitable for high-density measurement systems.
What is the resolution of the PXI-6225?
The PXI-6225 provides 16-bit analog input resolution for general-purpose voltage, sensor, industrial, and automated test measurements.
What is the maximum sampling rate of the PXI-6225?
The PXI-6225 provides a maximum aggregate analog input sampling rate of 250 kS/s. Because the analog inputs use a multiplexed architecture, this is not a 250 kS/s simultaneous per-channel sampling rate.
Does the PXI-6225 support simultaneous sampling?
No. The PXI-6225 uses a multiplexed analog input architecture. Channels are scanned sequentially through the acquisition circuitry rather than being sampled simultaneously with dedicated ADCs for every channel.
Does the PXI-6225 have analog outputs?
No. The PXI-6225 is primarily designed as a high-channel-count analog input device and does not provide onboard analog output channels. If analog output capability is required, another multifunction DAQ or dedicated PXI analog output module can be added to the system.
Does the PXI-6225 provide digital I/O?
Yes. The PXI-6225 provides 24 digital I/O channels that can be used for status monitoring, test fixture control, digital interfacing, and other automated test functions.
Does the PXI-6225 have counter/timers?
Yes. The PXI-6225 provides two 32-bit counter/timers for applications including event counting, frequency measurement, period measurement, pulse-width measurement, and pulse generation.
What is the difference between PXI-6225 and PXI-6259?
Both devices are high-channel-count M Series DAQ modules. The PXI-6225 is particularly useful when the primary requirement is a large number of analog input channels with moderate sampling performance, while the PXI-6259 provides higher acquisition performance and broader multifunction capability. The appropriate model should be selected according to channel count, sample rate, analog output, digital I/O, and overall system requirements.
What software supports the PXI-6225?
The PXI-6225 is supported by NI-DAQmx and can be integrated with LabVIEW, NI MAX, TestStand, and compatible C/C++ and .NET development environments.
Conclusion
The NI PXI-6225 M Series multifunction DAQ module provides a high-density solution for multi-channel data acquisition, sensor monitoring, automated testing, and laboratory measurement. With up to 80 single-ended or 40 differential analog inputs, 16-bit resolution, 250 kS/s aggregate sampling, 24 digital I/O channels, two 32-bit counter/timers, PXI timing capabilities, and NI-DAQmx support, the PXI-6225 is particularly well suited for applications where a large number of analog measurement points must be integrated into a compact PXI system.
