Where do I find the NI-DAQ function list for a specific card.

Question

I trying to find a reference where I look up a card ID and it lists the NI-DAQ functions that work FOR THAT CARD ONLY!
Example: The PXI-4472 DSA card shows that it supports STC timer/counter functions (like GPCTR_Control()) when you search by card in NI-DAQ Help. But in reality, none of the functions work correctly, even though the function call doesn't return a status error.
Is there a place to find an accurate cross-reference so I don't keep programming my card thinking it's working correctly when it's not?

Answer 1

Hi,
Hopefully I can clear up your question. DAQmx is designed to work across all E-Series, DIO, and DSA boards with the same VIs. Traditional DAQ sometimes needs separate VIs for separate boards which can become rather confusing and thus one reason for the driver redesign.
There are some exceptions with the DSA boards though.
The 4472 uses the DAQ-STC chip just as you mentioned, but the full functionality of the counters are not available as they are with E-Series boards.
There are a few things to keep in mind.
#1) The STC has two counters, 0 and 1. If you synchronize 4472s, you will only be able to use counter 1. The driver claims counter 0 for special trigger delay operations.
#2) The 4472 counters have no physical connections to the "o
utside world." The EXT TRIG pin on the 4472, sometimes called PFI0, cannot be used to do anything with the counters. It cannot be a gate or source for the counter. The only pins you can use for gate, source, or output on the counters are the RTSI lines. This certainly limits the utility of the counters.
#3) Because so few customers have expressed a need for it, we have removed DSA counter access in DAQmx. If you program the 4472 (or 4461) in DAQmx, the DAQ-STC counters will not be available at all.
The DAQ-STC was included on the 4472 for some timing and triggering functionality aside from the counters (similiar to some of the jobs it performs on the E series cards). The counters are really an afterthought that came along with the chip.... they are not at all the primary reason for the STC being there.
Hope this helps!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Erick D.
NI Applications Engineer