Scanning Switch Modules

NI Digital Multimeters

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Scanning Switch Modules

The NI 4060, NI 4065, and NI 4070/4071/4072 can exchange signals with NI and third-party switches during multipoint scanning operations. Two methods of scanning are available and are normally used: synchronous and handshaking.

Scanning is a method of sequentially connecting channels and is often used when connecting instrument(s) and device(s) under test (DUT), in a specific order.

Notes For waveform acquisitions, the MC signal is generated after the entire waveform is acquired, not after each point.

SCXI switches require a controller, but PXI switches do not require a controller. The NI 4060, the NI 4065, and NI 4070/4071/4072 can act as controllers for SCXI switches. Refer to the SCXI Communication sections of NI 4070/4071/4072, NI 4065, and NI 4060 for pin assignments and cable accessory information.

Refer to Using Switches for the theory of operation, scanning methods, and measurement considerations. Refer to Triggering, Single Point Acquisitions, and Multiple Point Acquisitions for programming flow information.

To determine if your switch supports scanning, and for switch configuration information and initial programming tips, refer to the Scanning NI Switches with NI Digital Multimeters section of the NI Switches Help (Programming with NI-SWITCH»Features»Scanning»Scanning NI Switches with NI Digital Multimeters) at either of the following locations:

Condition	Path
If you have installed NI-SWITCH	Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-SWITCH»Documentation»NI Switches Help
If you have not installed NI-SWITCH	NI Product Manuals Library Web site

Scanning Options

The following tables show the synchronization options for the National Instruments DMMs and switches.

Notes Refer to the LabVIEW Trigger Routing section or Labwindows/CVI Trigger Routing section for the software name associated with each hardware pin.

You can route the Measurement Complete (MC) signal to only one destination at a time, and you can receive the external trigger from only one source at a time.

A trigger and sample trigger connected to the AUX I/O connector must come from the same pin.

NI PXI-4070/4071/4072
Installation	Switch Type for Synchronization with DMM	Possible Destination of MC¹	Possible Inputs for External Trigger In¹	Comments
Any slot of a PXI chassis, and not controlling an SCXI chassis	PXI switch	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7> AUX I/O Connector Pin 6⁴	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7>² AUX I/O Connector Pin 9⁴	—
	SCXI switch (installed in an SCXI chassis that is controlled by another device)	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6⁴	AUX I/O Connector Pin 9⁴ AUX I/O Connector Pin 3⁴	—
Any slot of a PXI chassis, and controlling an SCXI chassis using the AUX I/O Connector	PXI switch	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7>	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7>²	—
	SCXI switch (installed in an SCXI chassis that is controlled by the NI PXI-4070/4071/4072)	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6³	AUX I/O Connector Pin 3³	—
Right-most slot of a PXI/SCXI combination chassis, and controlling the SCXI portion through the PXI backplane lines⁵	PXI switch	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7> AUX I/O Connector Pin 6⁴	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7>² AUX I/O Connector Pin 9⁴ AUX I/O Connector Pin 3⁴	—
	SCXI switch (installed in an SCXI chassis that is controlled by the NI PXI-4070/4071/4072)	Local Bus Right Line 0 AUX I/O Connector Pin 6⁴	Local Bus Right Line 1 AUX I/O Connector Pin 3⁴	Local Bus Right Trigger Lines 0 and 1 connect the signal to SCXI Trigger Lines 0 and 1, respectively.
¹ Refer to SCXI Communication and Triggering for the NI PXI-4070/4071/4072 for cable accessories for the AUX I/O Connector. ² You can receive the Sample Trigger and the Trigger from the PXI Star Line. Refer to the documentation for the switch you are using to determine whether the switch can route a trigger to the PXI Star Line. ³ The AUX I/O Connector of the NI PXI-4070/4071/4072 can be used to control an SCXI chassis, send the MC signal, and receive an external trigger. ⁴ You can use a cable accessory for the AUX I/O Connector to connect the trigger signal directly to the front terminal block of the switch. Refer to Triggering for more information. ⁵ Not all PXI-407x devices are capable of controlling the SCXI portion through the backplane. Refer to PXI Express Compatibility for more information.

NI PXI-4065
Installation	Switch Type for Synchronization with DMM	Possible Destination of MC¹	Possible Inputs for External Trigger In¹	Comments
Any slot of a PXI chassis, and not controlling an SCXI chassis	PXI switch	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7> AUX I/O Connector Pin 6⁴	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7>² AUX I/O Connector Pin 9⁴	—
	SCXI switch (installed in an SCXI chassis that is controlled by another device)	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6⁴	AUX I/O Connector Pin 9⁴ AUX I/O Connector Pin 3⁴	—
Any slot of a PXI chassis, and controlling an SCXI chassis using the AUX I/O Connector	PXI switch	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7>	PXI Trigger Lines <0..7>²	—
	SCXI switch (installed in an SCXI chassis that is controlled by the NI PXI-4065)	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6³	AUX I/O Connector Pin 3³	—
¹ Refer to SCXI Communication and Triggering for the NI PXI-4065 for cable accessories for the AUX I/O Connector. ² You can receive the Sample Trigger and the Trigger from the PXI Star Line. Refer to the documentation for the switch you are using to determine whether the switch can route a trigger to the PXI Star Line. ³ The AUX I/O Connector of the NI PXI-4065 can be used to control an SCXI chassis, send the MC signal, and receive an external trigger. ⁴ You can use a cable accessory for the AUX I/O Connector to connect the trigger signal directly to the front terminal block of the switch. Refer to Triggering for more information.

NI PCI-4070 and NI PCI/PCIe-4065
Installation	Switch/Device Type for Synchronization with DMM	Possible Destination of MC¹	Possible Inputs for External Trigger In¹	Comments
Not controlling an SCXI chassis	Other devices	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6³	AUX I/O Connector Pin 9³ AUX I/O Connector Pin 3³	—
Controlling an SCXI chassis	SCXI switch	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6²	AUX I/O Connector Pin 3²	—
¹ Refer to SCXI Communication and Triggering for the NI PCI-4070 for cable accessories for the AUX I/O Connector. Refer to SCXI Communication and Triggering for the NI PCI/PCIe-4065 for cable accessories for the AUX I/O Connector. ² The AUX I/O Connector of the NI PCI-4070 and NI PCI/PCIe-4065 can be used to control an SCXI chassis and to send and receive triggers. ³ You can use a cable accessory for the AUX I/O Connector to connect the trigger signal directly to the front terminal block of the switch. Refer to Triggering for the NI PCI-4070 or Triggering for the NI PCI/PCIe-4065 for more information.

NI USB-4065
Installation	Switch/Device Type for Synchronization with DMM	Possible Destination of MC¹	Possible Inputs for External Trigger In¹	Comments
Not controlling an SCXI chassis	Other devices	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6²	AUX I/O Connector Pin 9² AUX I/O Connector Pin 3²	—
¹ Refer to SCXI Communication and Triggering for the NI USB-4065 for cable accessories for the AUX I/O Connector. ² You can use a cable accessory for the AUX I/O Connector to connect the trigger signal directly to the front terminal block of the switch. Refer to Triggering for more information.

NI PXI-4060
Installation	Switch Type for Synchronization with DMM	Possible Destination of MC¹	Possible Inputs for External Trigger In¹	Comments
Any slot of a PXI chassis, and not controlling an SCXI chassis	PXI switch	PXI Trigger Lines <0..6> AUX I/O Connector Pin 6³	PXI Trigger Lines <0..6> AUX I/O Connector Pin 9³	—
	SCXI switch (installed in an SCXI chassis that is controlled by another device)	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6³	AUX I/O Connector Pin 9³	—
Any slot of a PXI chassis, and controlling an SCXI chassis using the AUX I/O Connector	PXI switch	PXI Trigger Lines <0..6>	PXI Trigger Lines <0..6>	—
	SCXI switch (installed in an SCXI chassis that is controlled by the NI PXI-4060)	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6²	No source available²	—
Right-most slot of a PXI/SCXI combination chassis, and controlling the SCXI portion through the PXI backplane lines	PXI switch	PXI Trigger Lines <0..6> AUX I/O Connector Pin 6³	PXI Trigger Lines <0..6> AUX I/O Connector Pin 9³	—
	SCXI switch (installed in an SCXI chassis that is controlled by the NI PXI-4060)	Local Bus Right Line 0 AUX I/O Connector Pin 6³	AUX I/O Connector Pin 9³	Local Bus Right Line 0 connects the signal to SCXI Trigger Line 0. PXI Trigger Line 0 is connected to Local Bus Right Line 0. When the NI PXI-4060 sends the MC signal to the SCXI switches through the backplane, the signal is also sent to PXI Trigger Line 0. Other PXI devices, such as PXI switches, can read the signal. Verify that no other PXI device in the PXI chassis uses PXI Trigger Line 0.
¹ Refer to SCXI Communication and Triggering for the NI PXI-4060 for cable accessories for the AUX I/O Connector. ² The AUX I/O Connector of the NI PXI-4060 can be used to control an SCXI chassis and send the MC signal. ³ You can use a cable accessory for the AUX I/O Connector to connect the trigger signal directly to the front terminal block of the switch. Refer to Triggering for more information.

NI PCI-4060
Installation	Switch/Device Type for Synchronization with DMM	Possible Destination of MC¹	Possible Inputs for External Trigger In¹	Comments
Not controlling an SCXI chassis	Other devices	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6³	AUX I/O Connector Pin 9³	—
Controlling an SCXI chassis	SCXI switch	AUX I/O Connector Pin 6²	No source available²	—
¹ Refer to SCXI Communication and Triggering for the NI PCI-4060 for cable accessories for the AUX I/O Connector. ² The AUX I/O Connector of the NI PCI-4060 can be used to control an SCXI chassis and send the MC signal. ³ You can use a cable accessory for the AUX I/O Connector to connect the trigger signal directly to the front terminal block of the switch. Refer to Triggering for more information.

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