What is CompactDAQ?
CompactDAQ is rugged, modular hardware that connects sensors and electrical signals to a PC over Ethernet or USB. Its available measurement modules, expandability, and software support make CompactDAQ an ideal universal test instrument for vibration, thermal, power quality, strain, and industrial measurements.
The NI CompactDAQ platform offers a highly modular I/O architecture, supporting 17 C Series module types with 60+ variants. This flexibility allows users to select and customize I/O based on current needs and easily expand or swap modules as application requirements grow, ensuring a scalable and future-ready measurement system.
The NI CompactDAQ platform supports network-based synchronization using Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), enabling precise time alignment across multiple CompactDAQ systems. This ensures accurate correlation of distributed measurements from different locations.
The NI CompactDAQ platform supports a wide range of sensor inputs with built-in signal conditioning, enabling easy connection and accurate measurement of diverse sensors. This ensures reliable performance across applications—from thermal analysis to sound and vibration (NVH) and beyond.
The NI CompactDAQ platform combines rugged construction with portability, making it suitable for both laboratory and field deployments. With shock ratings up to 50 g and an operating temperature range of –40 °C to 70 °C, CompactDAQ is well suited for demanding environments such as oil & gas sites and heavy machinery applications.
The NI CompactDAQ platform combines data acquisition with analog, digital, and PWM outputs, enabling precise control and automation. With high-speed signal generation and accurate timing, it supports tasks such as setpoint control, signal simulation, PLC interfacing, and automated test execution.
The NI CompactDAQ platform provides three independent analog input timing engines, enabling multiple simultaneous measurements at different sample rates. This allows efficient acquisition of both slow and high-speed signals, with the option to synchronize all channels for coherent data collection.
CompactDAQ System Components
A NI CompactDAQ system consists of a CompactDAQ chassis and one or more C Series I/O modules. The chassis connects to a PC via USB or Ethernet, providing unified timing and synchronization for reliable data acquisition. The modular C Series modules offer over 70 options for analog, digital, and specialized measurements, allowing you to easily add or swap modules as your application requirements evolve.
The NI CompactDAQ platform supports a wide range of commonly used C Series modules, including:
±10 V, 250 kS/s, 16-Bit, 32-Channel Voltage Input
200 kS/s, ±20 mA, 8-Channel Current Input Module
100 kS/s/channel, ±10 V, 4-Channel Voltage Output Module
5 V/TTL, 8 Bidirectional Channels, 100 ns Digital Module
50 kS/s/channel, Bridge Analog Input, 4-Channel Strain/Bridge Input
8-Channel, 95 S/s/channel, ±78 mV Temperature Input
4-Channel, 51.2 kS/s/channel, ±5 V, Sound and Vibration Input
