CompactRIO Data Acquisition Systems

What is CompactRIO? 

CompactRIO systems provide high-performance processing capabilities, sensor-specific conditioned I/O, and a closely integrated software toolchain that make them ideal for Industrial Internet of Things, monitoring, and control applications. The real-time processor offers reliable, predictable behavior, while the FPGA excels at smaller tasks that require high-speed logic and precise timing.

Why Choose CompactRIO?

Flexible Development Options

Abstract low-level code and use a single toolchain to build and deploy time-critical applications on your CompactRIO system using LabVIEW and the real-time and FPGA modules.

Long-Term Data Acquisition

Utilize the integrated controller running a Linux Real-Time OS and sensor-specific I/O modules to build and deploy robust applications directly on the CompactRIO controller.

Combined DAQ and Control

Take advantage of the user-programmable FPGA and integrate existing intellectual property (IP) when you need to acquire high-quality data and process and respond to it in real time.

Open, Secure Platform

Harness the openness of the NI Linux Real-Time OS through thousands of open-source applications, IP, and examples, while collaborating with an active community of users and developers.

Engineer’s Guide to Signal Conditioning Download

Explore one of the most important components of any data acquisition system with the Engineer’s Guide to Signal Conditioning

CompactRIO systems feature a controller with a processor running a Linux Real-Time OS and a chassis that contains a user-programmable FPGA. It supports industrial I/O modules from both NI and third-party vendors.

Chassis

The CompactRIO chassis is the center of the integrated system architecture. It is directly connected to the I/O for high-performance access to the I/O circuitry of each module and timing, triggering, and synchronization. Because each module is connected directly to the FPGA rather than through a bus, you experience almost no control latency for system response compared to other controller architectures.

Controller

The CompactRIO real-time controller is a high-performance integrated controller that features extreme ruggedness, industry-standard certifications, integrated vision and motion, industrial communication, and human-machine interface capabilities. It contains a processor that reliably and deterministically executes LabVIEW Real-Time applications and offers multirate control, execution tracing, onboard data logging, and communication with peripherals.

Modules

I/O modules contain isolation, conversion circuitry, signal conditioning, and built-in connectivity for direct connection to industrial sensors/actuators. By offering a variety of wiring options and integrating the connector junction box into the modules, the CompactRIO system significantly reduces space requirements and field-wiring costs. You can choose from more than 70 NI C Series I/O modules for CompactRIO to connect to almost any sensor or actuator.

• Digital

• Voltage Input

• Temperature Input

• Strain/Bridge Input

• Universal Analog Input

• Sound and Vibration Input

Software

Overcome traditional heterogeneous architecture programming challenges with NI Linux Real-Time, the LabVIEW FPGA Module, and the NI-DAQmx driver. With this combination, you can develop your system faster by programming both the processor and user-programmable FPGA with a single, intuitive software toolchain. Focus on solving problems, not low-level programming tasks, with integrated user-friendly software that reduces risk, enhances productivity, and eliminates the need to create and maintain I/O drivers, OSs, and other middleware.