Introduction
Chapter 1
AT-MIO-16 User Manual
1-2
© National Instruments Corporation
Either of the following software:
NI-DAQ software for PC compatibles, with manuals
LabVIEW for Windows, LabWindows for DOS, or LabWindows/CVI for Windows,
with manuals
Your computer
Detailed specifications of the AT-MIO-16 are listed in Appendix A, Specifications.
Software Programming Choices
There are four options to choose from when programming your National Instruments plug-in
DAQ and SCXI hardware. You can use LabVIEW, LabWindows, NI-DAQ, or register-level
programming software.
The AT-MIO-16 works with LabVIEW for Windows, LabWindows for DOS, LabWindows/CVI
for Windows, and NI-DAQ for PC compatibles.
LabVIEW and LabWindows Application Software
LabVIEW and LabWindows are innovative program development software packages for data
acquisition and control applications. LabVIEW uses graphical programming, whereas
LabWindows enhances traditional programming languages. Both packages include extensive
libraries for data acquisition, instrument control, data analysis, and graphical data presentation.
LabVIEW currently runs on four different platforms—AT/MC/EISA computers running
Microsoft Windows, NEC 9800 computers running Microsoft Windows, the Macintosh platform,
and the Sun SPARCstation platform. LabVIEW features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art
user interface, and a powerful graphical programming language. The LabVIEW Data
Acquisition VI Library, a series of VIs for using LabVIEW with National Instruments boards, is
included with LabVIEW. The LabVIEW Data Acquisition VI Libraries are functionally
equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.
LabWindows has two versions—LabWindows for DOS is for use on PCs running DOS, and
LabWindows/CVI is for use on PCs running Windows and Sun SPARCstations.
LabWindows/CVI features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user interface, and uses the
ANSI standard C programming language. The LabWindows Data Acquisition Library, a series
of functions for using LabWindows with National Instruments boards, is included with
LabWindows for DOS and LabWindows/CVI. The LabWindows Data Acquisition libraries are
functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.
Using LabVIEW or LabWindows software will greatly diminish the development time for your
data acquisition and control application.