Chapter 1
Getting Started with the NI 447X
©
National Instruments Corporation
1-3
For free downloads of the latest documentation, drivers, and programming
examples, visit
ni.com
.
Unpacking
The NI 447
X
ships in an antistatic package to prevent electrostatic damage
(ESD) to the device. ESD can damage several components on the device.
Caution
Never
touch the exposed pins of connectors.
To avoid such damage in handling the device, take the following
precautions:
•
Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded
object.
•
Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis
before removing the device
from the package.
Remove the device
from the package and inspect the device
for loose
components or any sign of damage. Notify NI if the device
appears
damaged in any way. Do
not
install a damaged device
into the computer.
Store the NI 447
X
device in the antistatic envelope when not in use.
Software Programming Choices
When programming National Instruments data acquisition (DAQ)
hardware, you can use an NI application development environment (ADE)
or other ADEs. In either case, you use NI-DAQ.
NI-DAQ
NI-DAQ, which ships with the NI 447
X
device, has an extensive library of
functions that you can call from the ADE. These functions allow you to use
all the features of the NI 447
X
.
NI-DAQ carries out many of the complex interactions, such as
programming interrupts, between the computer and the DAQ hardware.
NI-DAQ maintains a consistent software interface among its different
versions so that you can change platforms with minimal modifications to
the code. Whether you are using LabVIEW, LabWindows
™
/CVI
™
,
Measurement Studio, or other ADEs, your application uses NI-DAQ, as
illustrated in Figure 1-1.