Can I simultaneously configure a device to more than one task?

Question

Can I simultaneously configure a device to more than one task? I am trying to trigger on some of the input data. When I tried to configure the same device to more than one task, I get an error:
Error -10408 occurred at Digital Group Config.
Possible reasons:
NI-DAQ LV: The specified channel is in use.
I have attached a copy of my VI. In the first and second sequences I am using device 1.
Attachments:
Can_I_simultaneously_configure_a_device.doc ‏19 KB

Answer 1

Hello;
The best way to have multiple tasks running on the same DAQ device is by syncronizing those in the hardware level. What I mean by that is, to use the same clock pulse train to clock the different tasks.
For instance, in case you want to do Analog Input and Analo Output at the same time, you can use the AI Start Scan (which is the clock pulse train that will clock the analog input task) to be routed to the AO Update clock (which is the clock that controls the Analog Output tasks of your device). You can extend that idea for counter operations as well.
For digital operations, if you are not using one of the digital boards that support strobed operations, such as the 653x ones, you won't be able to synchronize the digital tasks with the analg tasks, s
ince the digital ports updates through Software calls only.
You are probably getting that error because you are trying to use the Digital Group Config.vi (or some other VI that calls the Digital Config.vi) with a board that doesn't support handshaking operations, such as the MIO ones.
Hope this helps.
Filipe A.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments