Chapter 1
Introduction
SCXI-1102/B/C User Manual
1-4
©
National Instruments Corporation
NI-DAQ Driver Software
The NI-DAQ driver software is included at no charge with all National
Instruments DAQ hardware. NI-DAQ has an extensive library of
functions that you can call from your application programming
environment. These functions include routines for analog input
(A/D conversion), buffered data acquisition (high-speed A/D
conversion), analog output (D/A conversion), waveform generation,
digital I/O, counter/timer operations, SCXI, RTSI, self-calibration,
messaging, and acquiring data to extended memory.
NI-DAQ also internally addresses many of the complex issues between
the computer and the plug-in device, such as programming interrupts
and DMA controllers. NI-DAQ maintains a consistent software
interface among its different versions so that you can change platforms
with minimal modifications to your code. Figure 1-1 illustrates the
relationship between NI-DAQ and your National Instruments
application software.
Figure 1-1.
The Relationship between the Programming Environment,
NI-DAQ, and Your Hardware
ComponentWorks,
LabVIEW,
LabWindows/CVI, or
VirtualBench
Conventional
Programming Environment
NI-DAQ
Driver Software
DAQ or
SCXI Hardware
Personal
Computer or
Workstation
