National Instruments NI 9401 User manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS
NI 9401
8-Channel, TTL Digital Input/Output Module
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NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 2 ni.com
This document describes how to use the National Instruments 9401
and includes specifications and pin assignments for the NI 9401.
Visit ni.com/info and enter rdsoftwareversion to determine
which software youneed for the modules youare using. For
information about installing, configuring, and programming the
system, refer to the system documentation. Visit ni.com/info
and enter cseriesdoc for information about C Series
documentation.
Note The safety guidelines and specifications in this
document are specific to the NI 9401. The other
components in the system might not meet the same safety
ratings and specifications. Refer to the documentation for
each component in the system to determine the safety
ratings and specifications for the entire system. Visit
ni.com/info and enter cseriesdoc for information
about C Series documentation.

© National Instruments Corp. 3 NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Safety Guidelines
Operate the NI 9401 only as described in these operating
instructions.
Hot Surface This icon denotes that the component may be
hot. Touching this component may result in bodily injury.
Safety Guidelines for Hazardous Locations
The NI 9401 is suitable for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B,
C, D, T4 hazardous locations; Class I, Zone 2, AEx nC IIC T4, and
Ex nC IIC T4 hazardous locations; and nonhazardous locations
only. Follow these guidelines if youare installing the NI 9401 in a
potentially explosive environment. Not following these guidelines
may result in serious injury or death.
Caution Do not disconnect I/O-side wires or connectors
unless power has been switched off or the area is known
to be nonhazardous.
Caution Do not remove modules unless power has been
switched off or the area is known to be nonhazardous.

NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 4 ni.com
Caution Substitution of components may impair
suitability for Class I, Division 2.
Caution For Zone 2 applications, install the system
in an enclosure rated to at least IP 54 as defined by
IEC 60529 and EN 60529.
Caution For Zone 2 applications, connected signals must
be within the following limit:
Capacitance .......................... 0.2 μF max
Special Conditions for Hazardous Locations Use in Europe
This equipment has been evaluated as EEx nC IIC T4 equipment
under DEMKO Certificate No. 03 ATEX 0324020X. Each module
is marked II 3G and is suitable for use in Zone 2 hazardous
locations. If youare using the NI 9401 in Gas Group IIC hazardous
locations or in ambient temperatures of –40 °C ≤Ta ≤70 °C, you
must use the device in an NI chassis that has been evaluated as
EEx nC IIC T4, Ex nA IIC T4, or Ex nL IIC T4 equipment.

© National Instruments Corp. 5 NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Special Conditions for Marine Applications
Some modules are Lloyd’s Register (LR) Type Approved for
marine applications. To verify Lloyd’s Register certification, visit
ni.com/certification and search for the LR certificate, or
look for the Lloyd’s Register mark on the module.
Caution To meet radio frequency emission requirements
for marine applications, use shielded cables and install
the system in a metal enclosure. Suppression ferrites
must be installed on power supply inputs near power
entries to modules and controllers. Power supply and
module cables must be separated on opposite sides of the
enclosure and must enter and exit through opposing
enclosure walls.

NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 6 ni.com
Connecting the NI 9401
The NI 9401 has a 25-pin DSUB connector that provides
connections for eight digital input/output channels.
Figure 1. NI 9401 Pin Assignments
COM
NC
COM
COM
NC
COM
COM
NC
COM
COM
NC
COM
COM
DIO0
NC
DIO1
DIO2
NC
DIO3
DIO4
NC
DIO5
DIO6
NC
DIO7
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

© National Instruments Corp. 7 NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Each channel has a DIO pin to which youcan connect a digital
input or output device. The eight DIO channels are internally
referenced to COM, so youcan use any of the nine COM lines as
a reference for the external signal.
The DIO channels are grouped in two ports, one containing
channels 0, 1, 2, and 3, and one containing channels 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Yo ucan independently configure each digital port in software for
input or output. Note that all four channels in the port must share
the same line direction. Refer to the software help for information
about configuring ports on the NI 9401.
Each channel also has a pull-down resistor and includes
overvoltage, overcurrent, and short-circuit protection. Refer to the
Specifications section for more information about input thresholds
and overvoltage protection. Refer to the Overcurrent Protection
section for more information about overcurrent protection.

NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 8 ni.com
Figure 2 illustrates how to connect an SPI device to the NI 9401.
In this example, the three channels assigned to output signals are
on one port and the channel assigned to an input signal is on the
other port.
Figure 2. Connecting an SPI Device to the NI 9401
NI 9401
DIO3:0
Configured
for Output
DIO7:4
Configured
for Input
SCLK
MOSI
MISO
SS
SPI Device

© National Instruments Corp. 9 NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Figure 3 illustrates how to connect several types of digital devices
to the NI 9401.
Figure 3. Connecting Digital Devices to the NI 9401
TTL Signal
+5 V
+5 V
LED
DIO0 as Input
DIO1 as Input
COM
DIO7 as Output
NI 9401
Dev 3
Dev 2
Dev 1

NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 10 ni.com
Overcurrent Protection
Overcurrent protection on the NI 9401 allows only a specified
amount of current for switching DIO channels or sourcing the
output load. If the NI 9401 goes into an overcurrent state, by
exceeding the specified maximum switching frequency or the
output load, the module power supply begins to drop in voltage
until it completely turns off or the overcurrent condition is
removed. When the module is in this state, it can accept new line
direction configuration and output state data but cannot pass valid
input data to the software. Refer to the Specifications section for
more information about the maximum switching frequency and
output load for each channel.

© National Instruments Corp. 11 NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Sleep Mode
This module supports a low-power sleep mode. Support for sleep
mode at the system level depends on the chassis that the module is
plugged into. Refer to the chassis manual for information about
support for sleep mode. If the chassis supports sleep mode, refer to
the software help for information about enabling sleep mode. Visit
ni.com/info and enter cseriesdoc for information about
C Series documentation.
Typically, when a system is in sleep mode, youcannot
communicate with the modules. In sleep mode, the system
consumes minimal power and may dissipate less heat than it does
in normal mode. Refer to the Specifications section for more
information about power consumption and thermal dissipation.

NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 12 ni.com
Specifications
The following specifications are typical for the range –40 to 70 °C
unless otherwise noted. All voltages are relative to COM unless
otherwise noted.
Input/Output Characteristics
Number of channels.......................... 8 DIO channels
Default power-on line direction........ Input
Input/output type............................... TTL, single-ended

© National Instruments Corp. 13 NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Digital logic levels
Input
Voltage ................................. 5.25 V max
High, VIH.............................. 2 V min
Low, VIL ............................... 0.8 V max
Output
High, VOH............................. 5.25 V max
Sourcing 100 μA ........... 4.7 V min
Sourcing 2 mA............... 4.3 V min
Low, VOL
Sinking 100 μA ............. 0.1 V max
Sinking 2 mA................. 0.4 V max

NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 14 ni.com
Maximum input signal switching frequency by number of input
channels, per channel
8 input channels.......................... 9 MHz
4 input channels.......................... 16 MHz
2 input channels.......................... 30 MHz
Maximum output signal switching frequency by number of output
channels with an output load of 1 mA, 50 pF, per channel
8 output channels........................ 5 MHz
4 output channels........................ 10 MHz
2 output channels........................ 20 MHz
I/O propagation delay ....................... 100 ns max
I/O pulse width distortion ................. 10 ns typ
Input current (0 V ≤Vin ≤ 4.5 V)...... ±250 μA typ
Input capacitance .............................. 30 pF typ
Input rise/fall time............................. 500 ns max
Overvoltage protection,
channel-to-COM ............................... ±30 V max on one channel at
a time; however, continued
use at this level will degrade
the life of the module.

© National Instruments Corp. 15 NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications
MTBF ............................................... 1,244,763 hours at 25 °C;
Bellcore Issue 2, Method 1,
Case 3, Limited Part Stress
Method
Note Contact NI for Bellcore MTBF specifications
at other temperatures or for MIL-HDBK-217F
specifications.
Power Requirements
Power consumption from chassis
Active mode ............................... 580 mW max
Sleep mode ................................. 1 mW max
Thermal dissipation (at 70 °C)
Active mode ............................... 580 mW max
Sleep mode ................................. 1 mW max
Physical Characteristics
If youneed to clean the module, wipe it with a dry towel.
Weight............................................... 145 g (5.1 oz)

NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 16 ni.com
Safety
Maximum Voltage1
Connect only voltages that are within the following limits.
Channel-to-COM .............................. ±30 V max on one channel
at a time, Measurement
Category I
Isolation Voltages
Channel-to-channel........................... None
Channel-to-earth ground
Continuous ................................. 60 VDC, Measurement
Category I
Withstand.................................... 1,000 Vrms, verified by a 5 s
dielectric withstand test
Measurement Category I is for measurements performed on
circuits not directly connected to the electrical distribution system
referred to as MAINS voltage. MAINS is a hazardous live electrical
1 The maximum voltage that can be applied or output between any channel and COM
without damaging the module or other devices.

© National Instruments Corp. 17 NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications
supply system that powers equipment. This category is for
measurements of voltages from specially protected secondary
circuits. Such voltage measurements include signal levels, special
equipment, limited-energy parts of equipment, circuits powered by
regulated low-voltage sources, and electronics.
Caution Do not connect the NI 9401 to signals or use
for measurements within Measurement Categories II,
III, or IV.
Safety Standards
This product is designed to meet the requirements of the following
standards of safety for electrical equipment for measurement,
control, and laboratory use:
• IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1
• UL 61010-1, CSA 61010-1
Note For UL and other safety certifications, refer to the
product label or visit ni.com/certification, search
by module number or product line, and click the
appropriate link in the Certification column.

NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 18 ni.com
Hazardous Locations
U.S. (UL) .......................................... Class I, Division 2,
Groups A, B, C, D, T4;
Class I, Zone 2,
AEx nC IIC T4
Canada (C-UL) ................................. Class I, Division 2,
Groups A, B, C, D, T4;
Class I, Zone 2,
Ex nC IIC T4
Europe (DEMKO)............................. EEx nC IIC T4
Environmental
National Instruments C Series modules are intended for indoor use
only but may be used outdoors if installed in a suitable enclosure.
Refer to the manual for the chassis youare using for more
information about meeting these specifications.
Operating temperature
(IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2) .....–40 to 70 °C
Storage temperature
(IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2) .....–40 to 85 °C
Ingress protection.............................. IP 40

© National Instruments Corp. 19 NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications
Operating humidity
(IEC 60068-2-56).............................. 10 to 90% RH,
noncondensing
Storage humidity
(IEC 60068-2-56).............................. 5 to 95% RH,
noncondensing
Maximum altitude............................. 2,000 m
Pollution Degree (IEC 60664) .......... 2
Shock and Vibration
To meet these specifications, youmust panel mount the system.
Operating vibration
Random (IEC 60068-2-64)......... 5 grms, 10 to 500 Hz
Sinusoidal (IEC 60068-2-6) ....... 5 g, 10 to 500 Hz
Operating shock
(IEC 60068-2-27).............................. 30 g, 11 ms half sine,
50 g, 3 ms half sine,
18 shocks at 6 orientations

NI 9401 Operating Instructions and Specifications 20 ni.com
Electromagnetic Compatibility
This product is designed to meet the requirements of the following
standards of EMC for electrical equipment for measurement,
control, and laboratory use:
• EN 61326 EMC requirements; Industrial Immunity
• EN 55011 Emissions; Group 1, Class A
• CE, C-Tick, ICES, and FCC Part 15 Emissions; Class A
Note For EMC compliance, operate this device with
shielded cabling.
CE Compliance
This product meets the essential requirements of applicable
European directives, as amended for CE markings, as follows:
• 2006/95/EC; Low-Voltage Directive (safety)
• 2004/108/EC; Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
(EMC)
Note Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for
this product for any additional regulatory compliance
information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit