National Instruments NI USB-9264 User manual

USER GUIDE AND SPECIFICATIONS
NI USB-9264
16-Channel, ±10 V, 16-Bit Analog Voltage Output Module
This user guide describes how to use the National Instruments USB-9264
and lists the device specifications.
Introduction
The NI USB-9264 consists of two components: an NI 9264 module and an
NI USB-9162 carrier, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. NI USB-9264 Components
NI 9264
NI USB-9162
NI USB-9264
Hi-SPeed USB Carrier
NI USB-9162
Hi-Speed USB Carrier
NI USB-9162

NI USB-9264 User Guide and Specifications 2 ni.com
Dimensions
Figure 2 shows the NI USB-9264 device dimensions.
Figure 2. NI USB-9264 Device Dimensions in Millimeters (Inches)
Safety Guidelines
Operate the NI USB-9264 only as described in this user guide.
Hot Surface This icon denotes that the component may be hot. Touching this component
may result in bodily injury.
Safety Guidelines for Hazardous Voltages
A hazardous voltage is a voltage greater than 42.4 Vpk or 60 VDC to earth
ground. If hazardous voltages are connected to the module, take the
following precautions.
Caution Ensure that hazardous voltage wiring is performed only by qualified personnel
adhering to local electrical standards.
Caution Do not mix hazardous voltage circuits and human-accessible circuits on the same
module.
Caution Make sure that devices and circuits connected to the module are properly
insulated from human contact.
Hi-Speed USB Carrier
NI USB-9162
120.68 mm
(4.751 in.)
118.26 mm
(4.656 in.)
88.12 mm
(3.469 in.)
25.34 mm
(0.998 in.)

©National Instruments Corporation 3 NI USB-9264 User Guide and Specifications
Caution When module terminals are hazardous voltage LIVE (>42.4 Vpk/60 VDC), you
must ensure that devices and circuits connected to the module are properly insulated from
human contact. You must use the NI 9940 connector backshell kit, illustrated in Figure 3,
to ensure that the terminals are not accessible.
Figure 3. NI 9940 Connector Backshell
Related Documentation
Each application software package and driver includes information about
writing applications for taking measurements and controlling measurement
devices. Check ni.com/manuals for the most recent hardware
documentation, and refer to Table for a list of locations for driver and
application software documentation. The following document location
references assume you have NI-DAQmx 8.9 or later, and where applicable,
version 7.1 or later of the NI application software.

NI USB-9264 User Guide and Specifications 4 ni.com
Table 1. Related Documentation
Software Document/Description Location/Topic
NI-DAQmx for Windows DAQ Getting Started Guide—
describes how to install the
NI-DAQmx for Windows
software, your NI-DAQmx
supported DAQ device, and
how to confirm that your
device is operating properly.
Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»
NI-DAQ»DAQ Getting
Started Guide
NI-DAQ Readme—lists which
devices are supported by this
version of NI-DAQmx.
Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»
NI-DAQ»NI-DAQ Readme
NI-DAQmx Help—contains
general information about
measurement concepts, key
NI-DAQmx concepts, and
common applications that
are applicable to all
programming environments.
Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»
NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx Help
LabVIEW Getting Started with
LabVIEW—describes the
LabVIEW graphical
programming environment and
the basic LabVIEW features
you use to build data
acquisition and instrument
control application.
Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»
LabVIEW»LabVIEW
Manuals or navigate to the
labview\manuals directory
and open
LV_Getting_Started.pdf
LabVIEW Help—provides
information about LabVIEW
programming concepts,
step-by-step instructions for
using LabVIEW, and reference
information about LabVIEW
VIs, functions, palettes,
menus, and tools.
Help»Search the LabVIEW
Help

©National Instruments Corporation 5 NI USB-9264 User Guide and Specifications
LabVIEW Help Topics Specific to NI-DAQmx
Location Description
From the Contents tab,
Getting Started»Getting
Started with DAQ
Includes overview information and a tutorial to learn how to take
an NI-DAQmx measurement in LabVIEW using the DAQ
Assistant.
From the Contents tab,
VI and Function Reference»
Measurement I/O VIs and
Functions
Describes the LabVIEW NI-DAQmx VIs and properties.
From the Contents tab,
Taking Measurements
Contains the conceptual and how-to information you need to
acquire and analyze measurement data in LabVIEW, including
common measurements, measurement fundamentals,
NI-DAQmx key concepts, and device considerations.
LabWindows™/CVI™LabWindows/CVI Help Data
Acquisition book—contains
NI-DAQmx measurement
concepts and step-by-step
instructions about creating a
measurement task using the
DAQ Assistant.
Help»Contents, then select
Using LabWindows/CVI»
Data Acquisition»Taking an
NI-DAQmx Measurement in
LabWindows/CVI
LabWindows/CVI Help
NI-DAQmx Library
book—contains NI-DAQmx
API overviews and function
reference.
LibraryReference»
NI-DAQmx Library
Measurement Studio/
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Help/NI Measurement Studio
Help—contains NI-DAQmx
methods and properties.
Measurement Studio»
NI Measurement Studio
Help and select NI-DAQmx
.NET Class Library or
NI-DAQmx Visual C++
Class Library
ANSI C without
NI Application Software
NI-DAQmx Help Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»
NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx Help
NI-DAQmx C Reference
Help—describes the
NI-DAQmx Library functions.
Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»
NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx
C Reference Help
Table 1. Related Documentation (Continued)
Software Document/Description Location/Topic

NI USB-9264 User Guide and Specifications 6 ni.com
Device Documentation and Specifications
Check ni.com/manuals for the most recent device and software
documentation. If you do not have Web access, NI-DAQmx includes a
Documentation CD that includes documentation available when
NI-DAQmx released.
Training Courses
If you need more help getting started developing an application with
NI products, NI offers training courses. To enroll in a course or obtain
a detailed course outline, refer to ni.com/training.
Technical Support on the Web
For additional support, refer to ni.com/support or zone.ni.com.
.NET Languages without
NI Application Software*
NI-DAQmx .NET
Help—contains conceptual
topics for using NI-DAQmx
with Visual C# and Visual
Basic .NET.
Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»
NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx .NET
Reference Help. Expand
NI Measurement Studio
Help»NI Measurement
Studio .NET Class Library»
Reference to view the function
reference. Expand
NI Measurement Studio
Help»NI Measurement
Studio .NET Class Library»
Using the Measurement
Studio .NET Class Libraries
Visual Studio .NET
Help—contains conceptual
topics for using NI-DAQmx
with Visual C# and Visual
Basic .NET.
Help»Contents. Select
Measurement Studio from
the Filtered By drop-down list
and follow the location
instructions for the NI-DAQmx
.NET Help.
* With the Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1 or later, you can use NI-DAQmx to create applications using Visual C#
and Visual Basic .NET without Measurement Studio. You need Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 or Microsoft Visual
Studio 2005 for the API documentation to be installed.
Table 1. Related Documentation (Continued)
Software Document/Description Location/Topic

©National Instruments Corporation 7 NI USB-9264 User Guide and Specifications
Installing the Software
Software support for the NI USB-9264 for Windows Vista/XP is provided
by NI-DAQmx. The DAQ Getting Started Guide, which you can download
at ni.com/manuals, offers NI-DAQmx users step-by-step instructions
for installing software and hardware, configuring channels and tasks, and
getting started developing an application.
Installing Other Software
If you are using other software, refer to the installation instructions that
accompany your software.
Example Programs
The NI-DAQmx media contains example programs that you can use to get
started programming with the NI USB-9264. Refer to the NI-DAQmx for
USB Devices Getting Started Guide that shipped with your device, and
is also accessible from Start»All Programs»National Instruments»
NI-DAQ, for more information.
Mounting the NI USB-9264 to a Panel
Threaded inserts are located in the NI USB-9162 for mounting it to a panel.
Mount the NI USB-9162 before inserting the NI 9264. Refer to Figure 4 for
dimensions.
Figure 4. Module Mounting Dimensions In Millimeters (Inches)
72.2 mm
(2.84 in.)
85.7 mm
(3.37 in.)
76.1 mm
(3.00 in.)
Threaded Insert
M3 x 0.5
8.5 mm (0.34 in.) Max Depth

NI USB-9264 User Guide and Specifications 8 ni.com
Installing the NI USB-9264 Device
Before installing the device, you must install the software you plan to use
with the device. Refer to the Installing the Software section of this guide
and the documentation included with the software for more information.
Installing the NI 9264 Module into the NI USB-9162 Carrier
The NI 9264 module and NI USB-9162 carrier are packaged separately.
Refer to Figure 5, while completing the following assembly steps:
1. Make sure that no signals are connected to the NI 9264 module and the
USB cable is not attached to the USB-9162 carrier.
2. Remove the protective cover from the 15-pin D-SUB connector.
3. Align the I/O module with the carrier, as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5. Module Installation
4. Squeeze the latches and insert the NI 9264 module into the
NI USB-9162 carrier.
5. Press firmly on the connector side of the NI 9264 module until the
latches lock the module into place, as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6. Locking Module into Place

©National Instruments Corporation 9 NI USB-9264 User Guide and Specifications
Connecting the NI USB-9264 to a Computer
Plug one end of the USB cable into the NI USB-9264 and the other end into
an available USB port on the computer. Refer to the NI-DAQmx for USB
Devices Getting Started Guide that shipped with your device, and is also
accessible from Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ,
for more information.
LED Indicator
The NI USB-9264 device has a green LED next to the USB connector. The
LED indicator indicates device status, as listed in Table 2. When the device
is connected to a USB port, the LED blinks steadily to indicate that the
device is initialized and is receiving power from the connection.
If the LED is not blinking, it may mean that the device is not initialized or
the computer is in standby mode. In order for the device to be recognized,
the device must be connected to a computer that has NI-DAQmx installed
on it. If your device is not blinking, make sure your computer has the latest
version of NI-DAQmx installed on it, and the computer is not in standby
mode.
Table 2. LED State/Device Status
LED State Device Status
Not lit Device not connected or in suspend.
On, not blinking Device connected, but no module installed.
Single-blink Operating normally.
Double-blink Operating normally.
Quadruple-blink Device error. Refer to ni.com/support.

NI USB-9264 User Guide and Specifications 10 ni.com
Wiring the NI USB-9264 Device
The NI USB-9264 has a 36-terminal detachable spring-terminal connector
that provides connections for 16 analog output channels.
Caution A high voltage screw terminal backshell must be installed when using hazardous
voltages (>42.4 Vpk, 60 VDC).
Figure 7. NI USB-9264 Terminal Assignments
Each channel of the NI USB-9264 has a terminal to which you can connect
the positive lead of a load. Each channel also has a common terminal,
COM, and there are four additional COM terminals at the bottom of the
connector. All of the COM terminals are internally connected to the
isolated ground reference of the module. When connecting a load to the
NI USB-9264, connect the positive lead of the load to the AO terminal, and
the ground of the load to a COM terminal. Refer to Figure 8 for an
illustration of connecting a load to the NI USB-9264.
Figure 8. Connecting a Load to the NI USB-9264
AO0
AO1
AO2
AO3
AO4
AO5
AO6
AO7
AO8
AO9
AO10
AO11
AO12
AO13
AO14
AO15
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
COM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
COM
AO
Load
NI USB-9264