Product Introduction
The NI cRIO-9031 is a rugged four-slot CompactRIO controller designed for deterministic industrial control, embedded data acquisition, machine monitoring, robotics, and distributed automation. It combines a real-time Intel Atom processor, a user-programmable Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA, and modular NI C Series I/O support within one compact industrial platform.
Running NI Linux Real-Time, the cRIO-9031 can execute measurement, logging, communication, and control applications independently of an external computer. Its FPGA provides low-latency hardware processing, custom timing, parallel execution, and direct access to installed C Series modules.
Product Overview
The cRIO-9031 features a 1.33 GHz dual-core Intel Atom E3825 processor, 1 GB of DDR3L system memory, 4 GB of internal solid-state storage, and a Xilinx Kintex-7 7K70T FPGA. This heterogeneous architecture separates high-level application execution from time-critical hardware processing.
Four C Series module slots support application-specific combinations of analog input, analog output, digital I/O, temperature, strain, vibration, counter, relay, and industrial communication modules. Engineers can use Scan Interface mode for straightforward I/O access or LabVIEW FPGA for customized hardware behavior.
Dual Gigabit Ethernet, RS-232, isolated RS-485/422, USB host and device ports, Mini DisplayPort, removable SD storage, and redundant power inputs provide extensive connectivity for standalone and networked industrial systems.
Key Features
1.33 GHz Dual-Core Intel Atom Processor
The embedded processor executes real-time control, data logging, network communication, and supervisory applications locally.
- Intel Atom E3825 processor
- Two processor cores
- 1.33 GHz CPU frequency
- 1 MB shared L2 cache
- Standalone embedded operation
Advantage: Applications can run directly on the controller without depending on a continuously connected host computer.
Xilinx Kintex-7 70T FPGA
The integrated FPGA provides deterministic hardware execution and direct control of C Series I/O.
- Xilinx Kintex-7 7K70T FPGA
- 82,000 flip-flops
- 41,000 six-input LUTs
- 240 DSP slices
- 4,860 kbits of block RAM
- 16 DMA channels
Advantage: Engineers can implement custom triggering, protocol handling, digital filtering, PWM generation, encoder processing, and high-speed control directly in hardware.
Four Modular C Series Slots
The cRIO-9031 accommodates four interchangeable NI C Series modules for application-specific measurement and control.
- Four C Series module slots
- Mixed analog and digital I/O
- Sensor-specific signal conditioning
- Industrial communication modules
- Modular system expansion
Advantage: The system can be configured for different sensors, actuators, communication buses, and control requirements without replacing the controller.
NI Linux Real-Time Operation
The controller runs a 64-bit NI Linux Real-Time operating system for deterministic and reliable embedded applications.
- Deterministic real-time scheduling
- Standalone application deployment
- Reliable multitasking
- Network and file-system support
- Optional C/C++ development tools
Advantage: Predictable execution supports industrial control loops, unattended monitoring, and long-duration measurement systems.
Scan Interface and LabVIEW FPGA Modes
The cRIO-9031 supports different programming approaches depending on application complexity.
- Scan Interface mode
- LabVIEW FPGA mode
- Direct FPGA access to C Series I/O
- Graphical hardware programming
- Custom timing and synchronization
Advantage: Scan Interface simplifies standard applications, while LabVIEW FPGA enables advanced deterministic processing and customized hardware behavior.
Comprehensive Industrial Connectivity
The controller includes multiple interfaces for networking, serial devices, storage, displays, and system configuration.
- Two Gigabit Ethernet ports
- RS-232 serial interface
- Isolated RS-485/422 serial interface
- Two USB host ports
- One USB device port
- Mini DisplayPort output
- SD and SDHC removable storage
Advantage: The controller can communicate with industrial equipment, enterprise networks, displays, storage devices, and engineering workstations without extensive external interface hardware.
Rugged Industrial Design
The cRIO-9031 is designed for continuous operation in demanding industrial environments.
- −40 °C to 70 °C operating range
- 5 g RMS random vibration resistance
- 30 g and 50 g operating shock ratings
- Dual 9 VDC to 30 VDC power inputs
- 5,000 m maximum operating altitude
- IP20 enclosure rating
Advantage: Its rugged construction supports machinery, transportation, energy, infrastructure, and remote monitoring installations.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | CompactRIO Embedded Controller |
| Number of C Series Slots | 4 |
| Processor | Intel Atom E3825 |
| Processor Cores | 2 |
| Processor Frequency | 1.33 GHz |
| Processor Cache | 1 MB Shared L2 Cache |
| Operating System | NI Linux Real-Time, 64-Bit |
| System Memory | 1 GB DDR3L |
| Internal Storage | 4 GB Solid-State Drive |
| Removable Storage | SD/SDHC Card, Up to 32 GB |
| FPGA | Xilinx Kintex-7 7K70T |
| FPGA Flip-Flops | 82,000 |
| FPGA LUTs | 41,000 Six-Input LUTs |
| FPGA DSP Slices | 240 |
| FPGA Block RAM | 4,860 kbits |
| DMA Channels | 16 |
| Logical Interrupts | 32 |
| Ethernet Ports | 2 × 10/100/1000Base-T |
| Maximum Ethernet Cable Length | 100 m per Segment |
| RS-232 Maximum Baud Rate | 115.2 kb/s |
| RS-485/422 Maximum Baud Rate | 115.2 kb/s |
| RS-485/422 Isolation | 60 VDC Continuous, Port to Earth Ground |
| USB Host Ports | 2 × USB 2.0 Type-A |
| USB Device Port | 1 × USB 2.0 Type-B |
| USB Maximum Data Rate | 480 Mb/s per Port |
| Video Output | Mini DisplayPort |
| Maximum Display Resolution | 2560 × 1600 at 60 Hz |
| Module-to-Memory Throughput | Up to 20 MB/s, Application and System Dependent |
| Power Input Range | 9 VDC to 30 VDC |
| Power Inputs | Primary V1 and Secondary V2 |
| Maximum Power Consumption | 40 W |
| Recommended Power Supply | 100 W, 24 VDC |
| Dimensions | 219.5 mm × 88.1 mm × 109.2 mm |
| Weight | 1.8 kg Unloaded |
| Operating Temperature | −40 °C to 70 °C |
| Storage Temperature | −40 °C to 85 °C |
| Ingress Protection | IP20 |
| Maximum Altitude | 5,000 m |
Software Ecosystem
The cRIO-9031 integrates with the NI software platform for deterministic control, FPGA development, embedded deployment, and system management.
- LabVIEW: Provides graphical application development for measurement, monitoring, communication, and control.
- LabVIEW Real-Time: Supports deterministic application execution on the embedded processor.
- LabVIEW FPGA: Enables graphical programming of the Kintex-7 FPGA for custom timing, processing, and I/O behavior.
- NI CompactRIO Drivers: Provide controller, FPGA, and C Series module support.
- NI MAX: Supports controller discovery, network configuration, software installation, diagnostics, and hardware management.
- Scan Interface: Provides straightforward access to supported C Series I/O without requiring FPGA programming.
- C/C++ Development Tools: Support optional text-based development for the NI Linux Real-Time processor.
Industries
- Industrial Automation
- Machine Control
- Robotics
- Energy and Power Systems
- Automotive and Transportation
- Aerospace and Defense
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Research and Development
Applications
Deterministic Machine Control
The real-time processor and FPGA can coordinate high-speed machine I/O with predictable timing.
- Motion sequencing
- Servo and actuator control
- Machine interlocks
- Production equipment automation
Embedded Data Acquisition
The controller can acquire, process, and store sensor measurements without an external computer.
- Voltage and current acquisition
- Temperature monitoring
- Strain and force measurement
- Standalone data logging
Condition Monitoring
The cRIO-9031 can execute local monitoring and diagnostic algorithms close to industrial equipment.
- Vibration monitoring
- Bearing diagnostics
- Motor condition analysis
- Predictive maintenance
Custom FPGA Control
LabVIEW FPGA enables custom hardware functions that cannot be implemented reliably with software timing alone.
- PWM generation
- Encoder processing
- Custom digital protocols
- High-speed triggering
- Parallel signal processing
Distributed Industrial Systems
Dual Ethernet interfaces allow the controller to operate within distributed monitoring and automation networks.
- Remote equipment monitoring
- Industrial network integration
- Edge data processing
- Distributed control nodes
Comparison with Similar Products
| Model | Main Difference | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
|
NI cRIO-9031 | Four-slot controller with a 1.33 GHz dual-core Atom processor, 1 GB memory, 4 GB storage, and Kintex-7 70T FPGA. | Compact deterministic control and embedded acquisition |
|
NI cRIO-9030 | Related four-slot CompactRIO controller with a different FPGA and system configuration. | General embedded industrial control |
|
NI cRIO-9035 | Eight-slot controller that provides greater C Series expansion capacity. | Larger mixed-I/O control systems |
|
NI cRIO-9049 | Newer-generation CompactRIO controller with increased processing, storage, synchronization, and FPGA performance. | Advanced industrial automation and edge control |
|
NI-9149 | EtherCAT expansion chassis without an embedded real-time processor for extending distributed C Series I/O. | Remote EtherCAT I/O expansion |
Recommended Related Products
The following C Series modules can be combined with the cRIO-9031 according to the required measurement, communication, or control function.
|
NI-9205 | High-channel-count analog input module for voltage and general sensor measurement. |
|
NI-9219 | Universal analog input module for voltage, current, thermocouple, RTD, resistance, and bridge measurements. |
|
NI-9234 | Dynamic signal acquisition module with IEPE excitation for sound and vibration monitoring. |
|
NI-9401 | Bidirectional digital I/O module for counters, encoders, pulse measurements, and FPGA control. |
|
NI-9478 | Digital output module for controlling external devices in automated systems. |
|
NI-9881 | C Series CAN interface module for automotive and industrial communication applications. |
Why Choose cRIO-9031?
- 1.33 GHz dual-core Intel Atom processor
- User-programmable Xilinx Kintex-7 70T FPGA
- Four interchangeable C Series module slots
- NI Linux Real-Time operating system
- Scan Interface and LabVIEW FPGA programming options
- Dual Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
- RS-232 and isolated RS-485/422 interfaces
- USB, Mini DisplayPort, and removable SD storage
- Dual redundant 9 VDC to 30 VDC power inputs
- Rugged −40 °C to 70 °C operating range
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the cRIO-9031 include a user-programmable FPGA?
Yes. The cRIO-9031 includes a Xilinx Kintex-7 7K70T FPGA. Engineers can program the FPGA with the LabVIEW FPGA Module to implement custom timing, digital protocols, signal processing, triggering, and low-latency control.
Can the cRIO-9031 operate without an external computer?
Yes. The controller includes an embedded Intel Atom processor, NI Linux Real-Time, system memory, and onboard storage. After an application is deployed, the cRIO-9031 can operate independently as a standalone industrial controller.
What is the difference between Scan Interface and FPGA mode?
Scan Interface provides simplified access to supported C Series I/O without custom FPGA programming. FPGA mode provides direct control of the Kintex-7 FPGA for customized timing, hardware processing, parallel execution, and application-specific I/O behavior.
Conclusion
The NI cRIO-9031 four-slot CompactRIO controller combines real-time Intel Atom processing, a user-programmable Kintex-7 FPGA, modular C Series I/O, extensive industrial connectivity, and rugged environmental performance. Its deterministic architecture and flexible software options make it well suited for machine control, embedded data acquisition, condition monitoring, robotics, distributed automation, and custom FPGA-based measurement systems.
