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NI PCI-6115 National Instruments 10 MS/s S Series DAQ Card

  • Model: NI PCI-6115 (Part Numbers: 778384-01, 188849C-01)
  • Brand: National Instruments (NI)
  • Series: S Series High-Speed Multifunction DAQ
  • Core Function: High-speed simultaneous sampling analog input and output board for high-transient data capture
  • Product Type: PCI Data Acquisition (DAQ) Card
  • Key Specs: 4 Analog Inputs (12-bit, up to 10 MS/s/ch simultaneous), dedicated A/D converter per channel, 2 Analog Outputs (12-bit, up to 4 MS/s)
  • Condition: New Original / New Surplus / Refurbished
Categories: , , , , SKU: PCI-6115 Brand:

Description

Key Technical Specifications

Parameter Specification Value
Model / Part Number PCI-6115 / 778384-01
Manufacturer National Instruments (NI)
Bus Interface Standard PCI (32-bit, 33 MHz)
Analog Inputs 4 Differential Channels
ADC Resolution 12 Bits
Max Sampling Rate 10 MS/s per channel simultaneously (40 MS/s aggregate)
Dedicated A/D Converters 4 (1 per channel)
Onboard Memory 16 MS or 64 MS onboard buffer
Analog Outputs 2 Channels (12-Bit, up to 4 MS/s per channel)
Digital I/O & Timers 8 DIO lines (TTL/CMOS), two 24-bit counter/timers
I/O Connector 68-Pin Female 0.050 Series D-Type (VHDCI / SCSI style)
Supported Drivers NI-DAQmx

Product Introduction

The NI PCI-6115 is an S Series high-speed, multifunction data acquisition (DAQ) card designed for applications demanding precise phase relationships and high-frequency transient capture. Featuring a dedicated 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) on each of its four analog input channels, it sampling simultaneously at rates up to 10 MS/s per channel without inter-channel phase delay.

The card includes deep onboard RAM buffers (up to 64 MS) to prevent data underflow over the PCI bus during maximum-rate sampling runs. It is widely used in high-speed transient analysis, ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT), RADAR/SONAR pulse processing, ballistic measurements, and high-frequency waveform generation within LabVIEW, C/C++, and MATLAB development environments.

Troubleshooting Quick Reference

Symptom Possible Cause Relevance to this Part Quick Check Method Recommendation
PCI Card Not Detected Card unseated or missing NI-DAQmx driver ✅ High Check Windows Device Manager or NI MAX under “Devices and Interfaces”. Re-seat card in PCI slot; ensure NI-DAQmx driver version supports S Series PCI hardware.
Buffer Overflow Error (-200019) PCI bus bandwidth saturation or buffer full ✅ High Monitor host system CPU load and decrease sampling rate or increase onboard buffer allocation. Enable onboard memory streaming; use double-buffered DMA acquisition routines in DAQmx.
Cross-Channel Phase Lag Software set to multiplexed mode instead of simultaneous ❌ Low Inspect DAQmx task configuration settings. The PCI-6115 uses hardware simultaneous sampling; ensure clock source isn’t artificially multiplexing.
Noisy Signal Measurement Floating signal source or ground loop ❓ Medium Check input coupling mode (AC vs DC) and signal ground termination. Use shielded BNC cabling (e.g., BNC-2110) and verify differential input connections.
Analog Output Distorted Output update rate exceeds clock capabilities ❓ Medium Measure output frequency on an oscilloscope under load. Limit AO update rate to max 4 MS/s per channel and ensure onboard FIFO buffer is properly fed.
PCI-6115

PCI-6115

PCI-6115

PCI-6115

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the main difference between S Series (PCI-6115) and M Series DAQ cards?

A: S Series cards feature a dedicated A/D converter per channel for simultaneous sampling without phase delays. M Series cards typically use a single multiplexed A/D converter shared across channels, introducing small time delays between channel samples.

Q: Can the PCI-6115 run in modern Windows 10 or 11 systems?

A: Yes, provided the host motherboard features a native legacy PCI slot (or a reliable active bridge chassis) and an NI-DAQmx driver release that supports legacy PCI devices.

Q: What accessories are required to connect signal lines to the PCI-6115?

A: Common accessories include the SH68-68-EP shielded cable paired with a BNC-2110 noise-rejecting BNC connector block or a SCB-68 terminal block.

Q: Does the support onboard AC/DC coupling selection?

A: Yes. The features software-selectable AC or DC coupling per input channel via NI-DAQmx property nodes.

SOP Quality Control Process

  1. Inbound & Visual Inspection: Inspect gold edge fingers for scratches/wear, verify 68-pin connector pin integrity, and validate factory serial labels (778384-01 / 188849C-01).
  2. PCI Recognition & MAX Self-Test: Install into test bench system and execute NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (NI MAX) hardware self-test diagnostics.
  3. High-Speed Simultaneous Loopback Test: Acquire 1 MHz sine waves across all 4 analog inputs simultaneously at 10 MS/s per channel; verify channel-to-channel phase match on an oscilloscope.
  4. Analog Output & DIO Diagnostics: Generate high-frequency waveforms on both AO channels and verify trigger/counter lines.
  5. ESD Packaging: Clean card surface and pack in a vacuum static-shielding ESD bag with fresh desiccant.

Technical Pitfall & Survival Guide

  • ❗ Bandwidth Limitations on Legacy PCI: Sampling all 4 channels at 10 MS/s simultaneously produces 80 MB/s of continuous data. Ensure no other high-traffic cards share the same PCI bus segment to prevent PCI buffer overruns.
  • ❗ Using Non-Shielded Cabling: At 10 MS/s sample rates, unshielded ribbon cables introduce severe high-frequency crosstalk and EMI. Always use double-shielded twisted-pair cables (like the SH68-68-EP) and BNC breakout terminal boxes.
  • ❗ Power Dissipation in Closed Enclosures: High-speed DAQ cards generate significant heat. Maintain adequate fan airflow across the PCI expansion slots to prevent thermal drift in signal conditioning circuits.