SPECIFICATIONS

NI USB-6001
Low-Cost DAQ USB Device
The following specifications are typical at 25 °C, unless otherwise noted. For more
information about the NI USB-6001, refer to the NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide
available at ni.com/manuals.

Analog Input
Number of channels
....................................................................
Differential 4
....................................................................
Single-ended 8
............................................................................
ADC resolution 14-bit
............................................................................
Maximum sample rate (aggregate) 20 kS/s
............................................................................
Converter type Successive approximation
............................................................................
AI FIFO 2,047 samples
............................................................................
Trigger sources Software, PFI 0, PFI 1
Input range
............................................................................ ±10 V
............................................................................
Working voltage ±10 V

Overvoltage protection
....................................................................
Powered-on ±30 V
....................................................................
Powered-off ±20 V

............................................................................
Input impedance >1 GΩ
............................................................................
Input bias current ±200 pA

Absolute accuracy
....................................................................
Typical at full scale 6 mV
....................................................................
Maximum over temperature, 26 mV
full scale
....................................................................
System noise 0.7 mVrms

............................................................................
DNL 14-bit, no missing codes
............................................................................
INL ±0.5 LSB
............................................................................
CMRR 56 dB (DC to 5 kHz)
............................................................................
Bandwidth 300 kHz

Analog Output
Analog outputs
............................................................................ 2
............................................................................
DAC resolution 14-bit
............................................................................
Output range ±10 V
............................................................................
Maximum update rate 5 kS/s simultaneous per channel, hardware-
timed
............................................................................
AO FIFO 2,047 samples
............................................................................
Trigger sources Software, PFI 0, PFI 1
............................................................................
Output current drive ±5 mA
............................................................................
Short circuit current ±11 mA
............................................................................
Slew rate 3 V/μs
............................................................................
Output impedance 0.2 Ω

2 | ni.com | NI USB-6001 Specifications

Absolute accuracy (no load)
Typical at full scale
.................................................................... 9.1 mV
Maximum over temperature, full scale
.................................................................... 34 mV
DNL
............................................................................ 14-bit, no missing codes
INL
............................................................................ ±1 LSB
Power-on state
............................................................................ 0V
Startup glitch
............................................................................ -7 V for 10 µs

Timebase
Note The following specifications apply to the sampling accuracy for hardware-
timed analog input and analog output.

............................................................................
Timebase frequency 80 MHz
Timebase accuracy
............................................................................ ±100 ppm
Timing resolution
............................................................................ 12.5 ns

Digital I/O
13 digital lines
Port 0
.................................................................... 8 lines
Port 1
.................................................................... 4 lines
Port 2
.................................................................... 1 lines

Function
P0.<0..7>
.................................................................... Static digital input/output
P1.0
.................................................................... Static digital input/output
P1.1/PFI 1
.................................................................... Static digital input/output, counter source or
digital trigger

NI USB-6001 Specifications | © National Instruments | 3

 ....................................................................Static digital input/output
P1.<2..3>
....................................................................
P2.0/PFI 0 Static digital input/output, counter source or
digital trigger

............................................................................
Direction control Each channel individually programmable as
input or output

............................................................................
Output driver type Each channel individually programmable as
open collector or active drive
............................................................................
Absolute maximum voltage range -0.3 V to 5. 5 V with respect to D GND
............................................................................
Pull-down resistor 47.5 kΩ to D GND
............................................................................
Power-on state Input

Digital Input
Input
............................................................................
voltage range (powered on) 0 to 5 V
............................................................................
Input voltage range (powered off) 0 to 3.3 V
............................................................................
Input voltage protection ±20 V on two lines per port (maximum of five
lines for all ports) for up to 24 hours

Caution Do not leave a voltage above 3.3 V connected on any DIO line for
extended periods of time when the device is powered off. This may lead to long term
reliability issues.

............................................................................
Minimum VIH 2.3 V
Maximum
............................................................................
VIL 0.8 V

Maximum input leakage current

At
....................................................................
3.3 V 0.8 mA
....................................................................
At 5 V 4.5 mA

Digital Output (Active Drive)

Maximum VOL (4 mA)
............................................................................ 0.7 V
............................................................................
Maximum VOL (1 mA) 0.2 V
............................................................................
Minimum VOH (4 mA) 2.1 V
Minimum
............................................................................
VOH (1 mA) 2.8 V
Maximum
............................................................................
VOH 3.6 V
Maximum
............................................................................
output current per line ±4 mA

4 | ni.com | NI USB-6001 Specifications

Digital Output (Open Collector)
............................................................................
Maximum VOL (4 mA) 0.8 V
Maximum VOL (1 mA)
............................................................................ 0.2 V

Note Minimum VOH dependent on user-provided pull-up resistor and voltage

source. Recommended pull-up resistor is 1 kΩ.

Using a 1 kΩ pull-up resistor and 5 V voltage

source:
....................................................................
Minimum VOH 3.5 V
Typical
....................................................................
VOH 4.5 V

Maximum
............................................................................
output (sinking) current per line -4 mA
Maximum pull-up voltage
............................................................................ 5V

Maximum leakage current

At 3.3 V
.................................................................... 0.8 mA
At 5 V
.................................................................... 4.5 mA

Counter
Number of counters
............................................................................ 1
Resolution
............................................................................ 32-bit
Counter measurements
............................................................................ Edge counting, rising or falling
Counter direction
............................................................................ Count up
Counter source
............................................................................ PFI 0 or PFI 1
Maximum input frequency
............................................................................ 5 MHz
Minimum high pulse width
............................................................................ 100 ns
Minimum low pulse width
............................................................................ 100 ns

NI USB-6001 Specifications | © National Instruments | 5

+5 V Power Source
Output voltage
............................................................................ +5 V, ±3%
............................................................................
Maximum current 150 mA
............................................................................
Overcurrent protection 200 mA

............................................................................
Short circuit current 50 mA

............................................................................
Overvoltage protection ±20 V

Bus Interface
USB
............................................................................
specification USB Full Speed
............................................................................
USB bus speed 12 Mb/s

Physical Characteristics
Dimensions
Without
....................................................................
screw terminal connector plugs 75.4 mm × 86.2 mm × 23.6 mm, (2.97 in. ×
3.40 in. × 0.93 in.)
....................................................................
With screw terminal connector plugs 93.2 mm × 86.2 mm × 23.6 mm, (3.67 in. ×
3.40 in. × 0.93 in.)

6 | ni.com | NI USB-6001 Specifications

 Figure 1. NI USB-6001 Dimensions

3.67 in
(93.2 mm)

2.97 in. 0.93 in.

(75.4 mm) (23.6 mm)

AO
1
3 7 0
+3 –
3.40 in.

2 6
+2 –
(86.2 mm)

1 5
+1 –
0 4
+0 –
AI
Weight
Without
....................................................................
screw terminal connector plugs 83 g (2.93 oz)
With screw terminal connector plugs
.................................................................... 105 g (3.70 oz)

I/O connectors: USB Micro-B receptacle, (1)

16-position screw terminal plugs
Screw-terminal wiring
.................................................................... 1.31 to 0.08 mm2 (16 to 28 AWG)
....................................................................
Torque for screw terminals 0.22 - 0.25 N · m (2.0 - 2.2 lb. · in.)

If you need to clean the module, wipe it with a dry towel.

Environmental
Temperature (IEC 60068-2-1 and
IEC 60068-2-2)
Operating
.................................................................... 0 to 45 °C
Storage
.................................................................... -40 to 85 °C
Humidity (IEC 60068-2-56)
Operating
.................................................................... 5 to 95% RH, noncondensing
Storage
.................................................................... 5 to 90% RH, noncondensing

NI USB-6001 Specifications | © National Instruments | 7

Pollution Degree (IEC 60664)
............................................................................ 2
............................................................................
Maximum altitude 2,000 m

Indoor use only.

Safety
This product meets the requirements of the following standards of safety for electrical
equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use:
• IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1
• UL 61010-1, CSA 61010-1

Note For UL and other safety certifications, refer to the product label or the Online
Product Certification section.

Electromagnetic Compatibility
This product meets the requirements of the following EMC standards for sensitive electrical
equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use:
• EN 61326-1 (IEC 61326-1): Class A emissions; Basic immunity
• EN 55011 (CISPR 11): Group 1, Class A emissions
• EN 55022 (CISPR 22): Class A emissions
• EN 55024 (CISPR 24): Immunity
• AS/NZS CISPR 11: Group 1, Class A emissions
• AS/NZS CISPR 22: Class A emissions
• FCC 47 CFR Part 15B: Class A emissions
• ICES-001: Class A emissions

Note In the United States (per FCC 47 CFR), Class A equipment is intended for
use in commercial, light-industrial, and heavy-industrial locations. In Europe,
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (per CISPR 11) Class A equipment is intended
for use only in heavy-industrial locations.

Note Group 1 equipment (per CISPR 11) is any industrial, scientific, or medical
equipment that does not intentionally generate radio frequency energy for the
treatment of material or inspection/analysis purposes.

Note For EMC declarations and certifications, and additional information, refer to
the Online Product Certification section.

8 | ni.com | NI USB-6001 Specifications

CE Compliance
This product meets the essential requirements of applicable European Directives, as follows:
• 2006/95/EC; Low-Voltage Directive (safety)
• 2004/108/EC; Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC)

Online Product Certification

To obtain product certifications and the DoC for this product, visit ni.com/certification, search
by model number or product line, and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.

Environmental Management
NI is committed to designing and manufacturing products in an environmentally responsible
manner. NI recognizes that eliminating certain hazardous substances from our products is
beneficial to the environment and to NI customers.
For additional environmental information, refer to the Minimize Our Environmental Impact
web page at ni.com/environment. This page contains the environmental regulations and
directives with which NI complies, as well as other environmental information not included in
this document.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

EU Customers This symbol indicates that waste products should be disposed of
separately from municipal household waste according to
WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on waste
electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). All products at the end of their life
cycle must be sent to a WEEE collection and recycling center. Proper WEEE
disposal reduces environmental impact and the risk to human health due to
potentially hazardous substances used in such equipment. Your cooperation in
proper WEEE disposal will contribute to the effective usage of natural resources. For
information about the available collection and recycling scheme in a particular
country, go to ni.com/environment/weee.

电子信息产品污染控制管理办法（中国 RoHS）
中国客户 National Instruments 符合中国电子信息产品中限制使用某些有害物
质指令(RoHS)。关于 National Instruments 中国 RoHS 合规性信息，请登录
ni.com/environment/rohs_china。(For information about China RoHS
compliance, go to ni.com/environment/rohs_china.)

NI USB-6001 Specifications | © National Instruments | 9

Device Pinout
LEFT VIEW RIGHT VIEW

AI GND P0.0
AI 0 P0.1
AI 4 P0.2
AI GND P0.3
AI 1 P0.4
AI 5 P0.5
AI GND P0.6
AI 2 P0.7
AI 6 P1.0
AI GND P1.1/PFI 1
AI 3 P1.2
AI 7 P1.3
AI GND P2.0/PFI 0
AO 0 D GND
AO 1 +5V
AO GND D GND

Refer to the NI Trademarks and Logo Guidelines at ni.com/trademarks for information on National Instruments trademarks.
Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. For patents
covering National Instruments products/technology, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the
patents.txt file on your media, or the National Instruments Patent Notice at ni.com/patents. You can find information about
end-user license agreements (EULAs) and third-party legal notices in the readme file for your NI product. Refer to the Export
Compliance Information at ni.com/legal/export-compliance for the National Instruments global trade compliance policy and
how to obtain relevant HTS codes, ECCNs, and other import/export data. NI MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES
AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY ERRORS.
U.S. Government Customers: The data contained in this manual was developed at private expense and is subject to the
applicable limited rights and restricted data rights as set forth in FAR 52.227-14, DFAR 252.227-7014, and DFAR 252.227-7015.

© 2014 National Instruments. All rights reserved.

374369A-01 May14
USER GUIDE
NI USB-6001/6002/6003
Low-Cost DAQ USB Device

Français Deutsch
ni.com/manuals

This user guide describes how to use the National Instruments USB-6001/6002/6003 data
acquisition (DAQ) devices. For device specifications, go to ni.com/manuals and search by
device name.

The NI USB-6001/6002/6003 is a full-speed USB device that provides eight single-ended

analog input (AI) channels, which may also be configured as four differential channels. It also
includes two analog output (AO) channels, 13 digital input/output (DIO) channels, and a 32-bit
counter.

Table 1. Differences Between the NI USB-6001, NI USB-6002, and NI USB-6003

Feature NI USB-6001 NI USB-6002 NI USB-6003

Analog Input

Analog-to-digital 14-bit 16-bit 16-bit

converter (ADC)
Resolution

Maximum Sample 20 kS/s 50 kS/s 100 kS/s

Rate (aggregate)
Analog Output

DAC Resolution 14-bit 16-bit 16-bit

Absolute Accuracy, 9.1 mV 8.6 mV 8.6 mV
Typical, at full scale
 Figure 1. NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Top and Side Views

1 2 3

1 Screw Terminal Connector Plug 2 LED Indicator 3 Micro-B USB Connector

Safety Guidelines
Operate the NI DAQ device only as described in this document.

Caution Refer to the NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Safety, Environmental, and

Regulatory Information document included with your kit for important safety and
electromagnetic compatibility information. To obtain a copy of this document online,
visit ni.com/manuals and search for the document title.

Caution Do not operate the device in a manner not specified in this document.
Misuse of the device can result in a hazard. You can compromise the safety protection
built into the device if the device is damaged in any way. If the device is damaged,
contact National Instruments for repair.

Caution Do not substitute parts or modify the device except as described in this
document. Use the device only with the chassis, modules, accessories, and cables
specified in the installation instructions.

Caution Do not operate the device in an explosive atmosphere or where there may
be flammable gases or fumes. If you must operate the device in such an environment,
it must be in a suitably rated enclosure.

Caution You must have all covers and filler panels installed during operation of the
device. Do not operate the device without verifying that the cover is correctly
attached and the device is completely closed.

2 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines
This product was tested and complies with the regulatory requirements and limits for
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) stated in the product specifications. These requirements
and limits provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the product is
operated in the intended operational electromagnetic environment.

This product is intended for use in industrial locations. However, harmful interference may
occur in some installations, when the product is connected to a peripheral device or test object,
or if the product is used in residential or commercial areas. To minimize interference with radio
and television reception and prevent unacceptable performance degradation, install and use this
product in strict accordance with the instructions in the product documentation.

Furthermore, any modifications to the product not expressly approved by National Instruments
could void your authority to operate it under your local regulatory rules.

Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance, the length of any wire or cable
connected to the screw terminal connector must be no longer than 0.5 m (20 in.).

Unpacking
The NI DAQ device ships in an antistatic package to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD
can damage several components on the device.

Caution Never touch the exposed pins of the connectors.

To avoid ESD damage in handling the device, take the following precautions:
• Ground yourself with a grounding strap or by touching a grounded object.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of your computer chassis before removing the
device from the package.

Remove the device from the package and inspect it for loose components or any other signs of
damage. Notify NI if the device appears damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged device
in your computer.

Store the device in the antistatic package when the device is not in use.

Packing List
The NI DAQ device is shipped in a box that contains:
• NI USB-6001/6002/6003
• Two screw terminal connector plugs
• Hi-Speed Micro USB cable
• NI-DAQmx DVD
• NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Quick Start document
• NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Information document

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 3

Setting Up the NI USB-6001/6002/6003
Complete the following steps to get started with the NI USB-6001/6002/6003.

Installing the Software

1. Install the application software (if applicable), as described in the installation instructions
that accompany your software.
2. Install NI-DAQmx. NI USB-6001/6002/6003 devices are supported by NI-DAQmx 9.9 and
later.

Note The NI-DAQmx software is included on the disk shipped with your kit and is
available for download at ni.com/support. The documentation for NI-DAQmx is
available after installation from Start»All Programs»National Instruments»
NI-DAQmx. Other NI documentation is available at ni.com/manuals.

3. Register your products when the NI Product Registration Wizard appears.

Preparing the Hardware

1. Insert the screw terminal connector plugs into the connector jacks on the device. Refer to
Figure 2.
2. The Hi-Speed Micro USB cable has two different connectors. Plug the smaller connector
into the device, and plug the larger connector into the USB port on the computer where
NI-DAQmx is installed.

Figure 2. Hardware Setup for NI USB-6001/6002/6003

1 Screw Terminal Connector Plugs 2 Hi-Speed Micro USB Cable

4 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Verifying the Installation
1. Complete the following to launch NI Measurement and & Automation Explorer (NI MAX):
• (Windows 7/Vista)—Double-click the NI MAX icon on the desktop.
• (Windows 8)—Click NI Measurement & Automation Explorer from NI Launcher.
2. Expand My System»Devices and Interfaces and verify that the NI USB-6001/6002/6003
is listed. If your device does not appear, press <F5> to refresh the view in NI MAX. If your
device is still not recognized, refer to ni.com/support/daqmx for troubleshooting
information.
3. To self-test your device in NI MAX, right-click your device and select Self-Test. Self-test
performs a brief test to determine successful device installation. When the self-test finishes,
a message indicates successful verification. If an error occurs, refer to ni.com/support/
daqmx.

Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance, operate this product only with
shielded cables and accessories.

4. Connect the wires (0.08 to 1.31 mm2 [28 to 16 AWG]) of a shielded, multiconductor cable
to the screw terminals by stripping 6 mm (0.25 in.) of the insulation, inserting the stripped
wires into the screw terminals, and securely tightening the screws with a flathead
screwdriver to a torque of 0.22 to 0.25 N · m (2.0 to 2.2 lb · in.). Refer to Figure 4 for the
NI USB-6001/6002/6003 pinout.
If using a shielded cable, connect the cable shield to a nearby GND terminal.
5. Run a test panel in NI MAX by right-clicking your device and selecting Test Panels.
Click Start to test the device functions, or Help for operating instructions. If an error
message occurs refer to ni.com/support/daqmx. Click Close to exit the test panel.

Using the NI USB-6001/6002/6003 in an

Application
Example Programs
NI-DAQmx driver software includes example programs to help you get started programming
with the NI USB-6001/6002/6003. You can modify example code and save it in an application,
use examples to develop a new application, or add example code to an existing application.

To locate NI software examples, go to ni.com/info and enter the Info Code daqmxexp.
To run examples without the device installed, use an NI-DAQmx simulated device. For more
information, open NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (NI MAX), select Help»Help
Topics»NI-DAQmx»MAX Help for NI-DAQmx, and search for simulated devices.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 5

NI-DAQ Assistant
You can use the NI-DAQ Assistant through many NI application software programs to configure
virtual and measurement channels. Table 2 lists NI-DAQ Assistant tutorial locations for
NI applications.

Table 2. NI-DAQ Assistant Tutorial Locations

NI Application
Software Tutorial Location
LabVIEW Go to Start»All Programs»National Instruments»
NI-DAQmx»NI-DAQmx Help»Getting Started.
LabWindows™/CVI™ Go to Help»Contents. Next, go to Using LabWindows/CVI»
Data Acquisition»Taking an NI-DAQmx Measurement in
LabWindows/CVI.
Measurement Studio Go to NI Measurement Studio Help»Getting Started with the
Measurement Studio Class Libraries»Measurement Studio
Walkthroughs»Walkthrough: Creating a Measurement Studio
NI-DAQmx Application.
SignalExpress Go to Help»Taking an NI-DAQmx Measurement in
SignalExpress.

ANSI C without NI Application Software

The NI-DAQmx Help contains API overviews and general information about measurement
concepts. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx»NI-DAQmx Help.

The NI-DAQmx C Reference Help describes the NI-DAQmx Library functions. Select Start»
All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx» Text-Based Code Support»NI-DAQmx
C Reference Help.

.NET Languages without NI Application Software

With the Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 or later, you can use NI-DAQmx to create
applications using Visual C# and Visual Basic .NET without Measurement Studio. You need
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2005 or later for the API documentation to be installed.

The installed documentation contains the NI-DAQmx API overview, measurement tasks and
concepts, and function reference. To view the NI-DAQmx .NET documentation, go to Start»
All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx»Text-Based Code Support. For function
reference, refer to the NationalInstruments.DAQmx Namespace and NationalInstruments.
DAQmx.ComponentModel Namespace topics. For conceptual help, refer to the Using the
Measurement Studio NI-DAQmx .NET Library and Developing with Measurement Studio
NI-DAQmx sections.

To get to the same help topics from within Visual Studio 2005 or 2008, go to Help»Contents
and select Measurement Studio from the Filtered By drop-down list. To get to the same help
topics from within Visual Studio 2010, go to Help»View Help and select NI Measurement
Studio Help from the Related Links section.

6 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Features
Block Diagram
Figure 3 shows key functional components of the NI DAQ device.

Figure 3. NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Block Diagram

P0.0
Digital I/O
I/O Connector

P2.0

PFI 1 Counters
& PFI
PFI 0

5V
5 V Supply USB 2.0
D GND USB
Control Full
Connector
Logic Speed
(Micro-B)
Interface
AI 0

Analog Input
I/O Connector

AI 7
AI GND 80 MHz Clock

AO 0
AO 1 Analog Output

AO GND

16-Position
Screw Terminal
Plug

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 7

LED Indicator
The NI DAQ device has a blue LED that indicates device status, as listed in Table 3.

Table 3. LED State/Device Status

LED State Device Status

Off Device is not connected or is in suspend mode.

On, not blinking Device is connected and functioning normally.

Blinking Device has encountered an error. Wait 10 seconds to allow the

device to attempt to recover from the error. If the LED
continues blinking, disconnect and reconnect the device. If
the error persists, contact National Instruments. Refer to the
Worldwide Support and Services section for contact
information.

Screw Terminal Connector Plugs

The NI USB-6001/6002/6003 ships with two detachable screw terminal connector plugs: one for
analog signals and one for digital signals. These screw terminal connectors provide
16 connections that use 0.08 to 1.31 mm2 (28 to 16 AWG). Refer to the Pinout and Signal
Descriptions section for the device pinout and signal descriptions.

Cables and Accessories

Table 4 contains information about cables and accessories available for the
NI USB-6001/6002/6003. For a complete list of accessories and ordering information, refer to
the pricing section of the NI DAQ device product page at ni.com.

Table 4. NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Cables and Accessories

Accessory Part Number Description

USB-600x Accessories 782703-01 Four additional screw-terminal connectors

and a screwdriver.
USB-600x Series 779511-01 Unshielded breadboarding accessory for
Prototyping Accessories custom-defined signal conditioning and
prototyping. You can use up to
two accessories per device.
Hi-Speed Micro USB 782909-01, 1 m and 2 m lengths
Cable, A to Micro-B 782909-02

Caution: To ensure the specified EMC performance, the length of any wire or cable
connected to the screw terminal connector must be no longer than 0.5 m (20 in.).

8 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Pinout and Signal Descriptions
Figure 4 shows the NI DAQ device pinout. Analog input signal names are listed as single-ended
analog input name, AI x, and then the differential analog input name, (AI x+/-). Refer to Table 5
for a detailed description of each signal.

Figure 4. NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Pinout

LEFT VIEW RIGHT VIEW

AI GND P0.0

0
AI + 0 –
AI 0 (AI 0+) P0.1

1
0 4
AI 4 (AI 0–) P0.2

2
AI GND P0.3

P0.x
4 3
AI 1 (AI 1+) P0.4
1 5
+1–

AI 5 (AI 1–) P0.5

5
AI GND P0.6

6
AI 2 (AI 2+) P0.7

7
2 6
+2–

AI 6 (AI 2–) P1.0

AI GND 0
2 1 P1.1/PFI 1
P1.x

AI 3 (AI 3+) P1.2

3 7
+3–

AI 7 (AI 3–)
0 3

P1.3
P2.x

AI GND P2.0/PFI 0
AO 0 D GND
0

5V
AO

AO 1 +5V
1

AO GND D GND
DIO
PFI x

Table 5. Signal Descriptions

Signal
Name Reference Direction Description

AI GND — — Analog Input Ground—The reference point

for single-ended analog input measurements.

AI <0..7> AI GND Input Analog Input Channels 0 to 7—For

single-ended measurements, each signal
corresponds to one analog input voltage channel.
For differential measurements, AI 0 and AI 4 are
the positive and negative inputs of differential
analog input channel 0. The following signal
pairs also form differential input channels:
AI <1,5>, AI <2, 6>, and AI <3, 7>. Refer to the
Analog Input section for more information.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 9

 Table 5. Signal Descriptions (Continued)

Signal
Name Reference Direction Description

AO GND — — Analog Output Ground—The reference point

for analog output.
AO <0, 1> AO GND Output Analog Output Channels 0 and 1—Supplies
the voltage output of the AO channels. Refer to
the Analog Output section for more information.

P0.<0..7> D GND Input or Port 0 Digital I/O Channels 0 to 7—You can

Output configure each signal individually as an input or
output. Refer to the Digital I/O section for more
information.
P1.<0..3> D GND Input or Port 1 Digital I/O Channels 0 to 3—You can
Output configure each signal individually as an input or
output. Refer to the Digital I/O section for more
information.

P2.0 D GND Input or Port 2 Digital I/O Channel 0—You can

Output configure each signal individually as an input or
output. Refer to the Digital I/O section for more
information.
PFI 0, 1 D GND Input Programmable Function Interface or Digital
I/O Channels—An edge counter input or digital
trigger input. Refer to the PFI 0 and PFI 1
section for more information.
D GND — — Digital Ground—The reference point for digital
signals.

+5 V D GND Output +5 V Power Source—Provides +5 V power up

to 150 mA. Refer to the +5 V Power Source
section for more information.

10 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Analog Input
The NI USB-6001/6002/6003 has eight analog input channels that you can use for four
differential analog input measurements or eight single-ended analog input measurements.
Figure 5 shows the analog input circuitry of the NI DAQ device.

Figure 5. NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Analog Input Circuitry

AI Start Trigger AI Sampling Clock
ADC
Control

AI 0
I/O Connector

MUX

DIFF AI Data
IA ADC AI FIFO
RSE
MUX
AI 7
AI GND

16-Position
Screw Terminal
Plug

The main blocks featured in the analog input circuitry are as follows:
• MUX—The multiplexer (MUX) routes one AI channel at a time to the mode selector
multiplexer (DIFF/RSE MUX).
• DIFF/RSE MUX—The mode selector multiplexer selects between differential mode
(DIFF) and referenced single-ended (RSE) measurement mode.
• IA— The instrumentation amplifier (IA) removes the common mode signal and buffers the
analog input signal before it is sampled by the analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
• ADC—The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) digitizes the AI signal by converting the
analog voltage into digital code.
• AI FIFO—The NI DAQ device can perform both single and multiple analog-to-digital
conversions of a fixed or infinite number of samples. A first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer
holds data during AI acquisitions to ensure no data is lost.
• ADC Control—The ADC control circuitry sets the conversion rate of the ADC, sets the
input configuration, drives the scanning sequence, and starts acquisitions synchronous with
PFI 0 or PFI 1.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 11

Analog Input Modes
You can configure the analog input channels on the NI DAQ device to take up to four differential
(DIFF) or eight referenced single-ended (RSE) measurements.
• Differential mode—In DIFF mode, the NI DAQ device measures the difference in voltage
between two AI signals.
• Referenced single-ended mode—In RSE mode, the NI DAQ device measures the voltage
of an AI signal relative to AI GND.

Analog input modes are programmed on a per-channel basis. For example, you can configure
the device to scan two channels in differential mode and four channels on single-ended mode.
The AI settings determine how you connect your AI signals to the NI DAQ device.

Taking Differential Measurements

For differential signals, connect the positive lead of the voltage signal or source to the
AI+ terminal, and the negative lead to the AI- terminal.

Figure 6. Connecting a Differential Voltage Signal

AI+

Voltage
Source DAQ Device

AI–

Figure 7. Example of a Differential ±10 V Measurement

10

5
Amplitude (V)

AI 1
0 AI 5
Result

–5

–10

12 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Taking Referenced Single-Ended Measurements
To connect referenced single-ended (RSE) voltage signals to the NI DAQ device, connect the
positive voltage signal to an AI terminal, and the ground signal to a AI GND terminal, as shown
in Figure 8.

Figure 8. Connecting a Referenced Single-Ended Voltage Signal

AI

Voltage
Source DAQ Device

AI GND

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 13

Signal Sources and Recommended Input Configuration
Table 6 summarizes the recommended analog input mode(s) for floating signal sources and
ground-referenced signal sources.

Table 6. NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Analog Input Configuration

Signal Source Type

Analog Input Mode* Floating Signal Source Ground-Referenced

(Not Connected to Signal Source†
Building Ground)

Examples: Example:
• Ungrounded • Plug-in instruments with
thermocouples non-isolated outputs
• Signal conditioning with
isolated outputs
• Battery devices
Differential (DIFF) Signal Source DAQ Device Signal Source DAQ Device

AI+ AI+
+ +
+ +
– AI– – AI–
– –

AI GND Vcm AI GND

Referenced
Single-Ended (RSE)
Signal Source DAQ Device
Signal Source DAQ Device
AI
+ AI +
+
+
–
– – –

VA
AI GND VB AI GND

Ground-loop potential (VA – VB) are added

to measured signal.

* Refer to the Taking Differential Measurements section for descriptions of the RSE and DIFF modes

and software considerations.

† Refer to the Ground-Referenced Signal Sources section for more information.

14 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Floating Signal Sources
An instrument or device that has an isolated output is a floating signal source. A floating signal
source is not connected to the building ground system, but has an isolated ground-reference
point. Some examples of floating signal sources are outputs of transformers, thermocouples,
battery-powered devices, optical isolators, and isolation amplifiers.

For more information about field wiring and noise considerations for analog signals, go to
ni.com/info and enter Info Code rdfwn3.

When to Use Differential Connections with Floating Signal Sources

Use DIFF input connections for any channel that meets any of the following conditions:
• The input signal is low level and requires greater accuracy.
• The leads connecting the signal to the device are greater than 3 m (10 ft).
• The input signal requires a separate ground-reference point or return signal.
• The signal leads travel through noisy environments.
• Two analog input channels, AI+ and AI-, are available for the signal.

DIFF signal connections reduce noise pickup and increase common-mode noise rejection. DIFF
signal connections also allow input signals to float within the working voltage of the device.
With this type of connection, the instrumentation amplifier (IA) rejects both the common-mode
noise in the signal and the ground potential difference between the signal source and the device
ground.

Refer to the Taking Differential Measurements section for more information about differential
connections.

When to Use Referenced Single-Ended (RSE) Connections with Floating

Signal Sources
Only use RSE input connections if the input signal meets all of the following conditions:
• The input signal can share a common reference point, AI GND, with other signals that use
RSE.
• The leads connecting the signal to the device are less than 3 m (10 ft).

DIFF input connections are recommended for greater signal integrity for any input signal that
does not meet the preceding conditions.

In the single-ended modes, more electrostatic and magnetic noise couples into the signal
connections than in DIFF configurations. The coupling is the result of differences in the signal
path. Magnetic coupling is proportional to the area between the two signal conductors. Electrical
coupling is a function of how much the electric field differs between the two conductors.

Refer to the Taking Referenced Single-Ended Measurements section for more information about
RSE connections.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 15

Ground-Referenced Signal Sources
A ground-referenced signal source is a signal source connected to the building system ground.
It is already connected to a common ground point with respect to the device, assuming that the
computer is plugged into the same power system as the source. Non-isolated outputs of
instruments and devices that plug into the building power system fall into this category.

The difference in ground potential between two instruments connected to the same building
power system is typically between 1 and 100 mV, but the difference can be much higher if power
distribution circuits are improperly connected. If a grounded signal source is incorrectly
measured, this difference can appear as measurement error. Follow the connection instructions
for grounded signal sources to eliminate this ground potential difference from the measured
signal.

For more information about field wiring and noise considerations for analog signals, go to
ni.com/info and enter Info Code rdfwn3.

When to Use Differential Connections with Ground-Referenced Signal

Sources
Use DIFF input connections for any channel that meets any of the following conditions:
• The input signal is low level and requires greater accuracy.
• The leads connecting the signal to the device are greater than 3 m (10 ft).
• The input signal requires a separate ground-reference point or return signal.
• The signal leads travel through noisy environments.
• Two analog input channels, AI+ and AI-, are available for the signal.

DIFF signal connections reduce noise pickup and increase common-mode noise rejection. DIFF
signal connections also allow input signals to float within the working voltage of the device.

Refer to the Taking Differential Measurements section for more information about differential
connections.

When to Use Referenced Single-Ended (RSE) Connections with

Ground-Referenced Signal Sources
Do not use RSE connections with ground-referenced signal sources. Use differential
connections instead.

As shown in the bottom right cell of Table 6, there can be a potential difference between AI GND
and the ground of the sensor. In RSE mode, this ground loop causes measurement errors.

16 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Input Range
The NI DAQ device has an input range of ±10 V. For differential mode, each AI should stay
within ±10 V with respect to AI GND, and the voltage between positive and negative inputs
should be lower or equal to ±10 V. For RSE mode, signals of ±10 V at any analog input terminal
with respect to AI GND are accurately measured.

Figure 9. Analog Input Range

DAQ Device DAQ Device
+
AI + Vdiff /2
+ – AI +
+
– AI –
+ –
+ Vdiff /2
Vin + –
– VCM
–

AI GND AI GND

Beyond ±10 V, the input signal begins clipping as shown in Figure 10. Typically, this clipping
begins at ±10.5 V.

Figure 10. Exceeding ±10 V on AI Returns Clipped Results

20
AI 1
Result

10.5
Amplitude (V)

–10.5

–20

When no signals are connected to the analog input terminal, the input could be anywhere
between +10.5 V and -10.5 V or may rail to ±10.5 V. This behavior is normal and does not affect
the measurement when a signal is connected. For more information about field and wiring noise
considerations for analog signals, go to ni.com/info and enter Info Code rdfwn3.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 17

Multichannel Scanning Considerations
The NI DAQ device can scan multiple channels at high rates and digitize the signals accurately.
However, you should consider several issues when designing your measurement system to
ensure the high accuracy of your measurements.
• Use Low Impedance Sources—To ensure fast settling times, your signal sources should
have an impedance of <1 kΩ. Large source impedances increase the settling time of the
NI DAQ device and decrease the accuracy at fast scanning rates. For more information
about decreasing the source impedance of an analog signal, go to ni.com/info and enter
the Info Code rdbbis.
• Use Short High-Quality Cabling—Using short high-quality cables can minimize several
effects that degrade accuracy including crosstalk, transmission line effects, and noise. The
capacitance of the cable also can increase the settling time.
• Avoid Scanning Faster Than Necessary—Design your system to scan at slower speeds
to give the NI DAQ device more time to settle to a more accurate level when switching
between channels.

AI Start Trigger
You can configure PFI 0 or PFI 1 as the AI Start Trigger for analog input tasks. Refer to the
Using PFI to Trigger an Analog Input Acquisition section for more information.

Analog Output
Figure 11 shows the analog output circuitry of the NI USB-6001/6002/6003.

Figure 11. Analog Output Circuitry

AO Start Trigger DAC AO Sampling Clock

Control

AO 0 Protection Buffer DAC 0

I/O Connector

AO Data
AO FIFO

AO 1 Protection Buffer DAC 1

AO GND

16-Position
Screw Terminal
Plug

18 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

The main blocks of the AO circuitry are as follows:
• Protection—The protection circuit prevents damage of the buffers in case of a short circuit
or an overvoltage condition.
• Buffer—The buffer amplifies the analog signal to the ±10 V range and ensures the driving
capability for the external load.
• DAC 0 and DAC 1—The Digital to Analog Converters (DAC) convert the digital signals
into low-level analog signals.
• AO FIFO—The AO FIFO (first-in-first out) ensures that data is transferred to the DACs
in a timely manner without being affected by USB latencies.
• DAC Control—The DAC control sets the DAC data rate and the startup condition, which
could be triggered by PFI 0 or PFI 1.

Connecting Analog Output Signals

The analog output signals are referenced to AO GND. Connect the loads between AO 0 or AO 1
and AO GND.

Figure 12. Connecting the Analog Ouput Loads

Analog Output Channels

AO 0
Channel 0
+
Load V OUT
–
AO GND
–

Load V OUT
+
AO 1
Channel 1

DAQ Device

Power-On State
The AO exhibits a short glitch when the device is powered on and when the NI DAQ dev ice
exits suspend mode. After power-up, the AO is reset to 0 V.

AO Range
The AO range is ± 10 V.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 19

Minimizing Glitches on the Output Signal
When using a DAC to generate a waveform, you may observe glitches on the output signal.
These glitches are normal; when a DAC switches from one voltage to another, it produces
glitches due to released charges. The largest glitches occur when the most significant bit of the
DAC code changes. You can build a lowpass deglitching filter to remove some of these glitches,
depending on the frequency and nature of the output signal. Visit ni.com/support for more
information about minimizing glitches.

Analog Output Data Generation Methods

When performing an analog output operation, you can perform software-timed or
hardware-timed generations:
• Software-Timed Generations—Software controls the rate at which data is generated.
Software sends a separate command to the hardware to initiate each NI DAQ conversion.
In DAQmx, software-timed generations are referred to as on-demand timing.
Software-timed generations are also referred to as immediate or static operations. They are
typically used for writing a single value out, such as a constant DC voltage.
• Hardware-Timed Generations—A digital hardware signal controls the generation rate.
This signal is generated internally on your device. Hardware-timed generations have
several advantages over software-timed acquisitions:
– The time between samples can be much shorter.
– The timing between samples can be deterministic.

Hardware-timed operations are buffered. During hardware-timed AO generation, data is moved

from a PC buffer to the onboard FIFO on the NI DAQ device using USB signal streams before
it is written to the DACs one sample at a time. Buffered generations allow for fast transfer rates
because data is moved in large blocks rather than one point at a time.

One property of buffered I/O operations is the sample mode. The sample mode can be either
finite or continuous:
• Finite sample mode generation refers to the generation of a specific, predetermined number
of data samples. After the specified number of samples is written out, the generation stops.
• Continuous generation refers to the generation of an unspecified number of samples.
Instead of generating a set number of data samples and stopping, a continuous generation
continues until you stop the generation.

AO Start Trigger
You can configure PFI 1 or PFI 0 as the AO Start Trigger for analog output tasks. Refer to the
Using PFI to Trigger an Analog Output Generation section for more information.

20 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Digital I/O
The NI USB-6001/6002/6003 has 13 digital lines: P0.<0..7>, P1. <0..3>, and P2.0. D GND is
the ground-reference signal for digital I/O. You can individually program each line as input or
output.

All digital input and digital output updates and samples are software-timed.

Figure 13 shows P0.<0..7> connected to example signals configured as digital inputs and digital
outputs. You can configure P1.<0..3> and P2.0 similarly.

Figure 13. Example of Connecting a Load

+5 V

1
LED

P0.0
LED
P0.1
P0.2
2 P0.3
3 P0.4
+5 V TTL Signal P0.5
P0.6
P0.7
4

Switch

GND
I/O Connector
DAQ Device

1 P0.0 configured as an open collector digital output driving a LED

2 P0.2 configured as an active drive digital output driving an LED
3 P0.4 configured as a digital input receiving a TTL signal from a gated inverter
4 P0.7 configured as an digital input receiving a 0 V or 5 V signal from a switch

Caution Exceeding the maximum input voltage ratings or maximum output

ratings, which are listed in the specifications document for the device, can damage
the device and the computer. National Instruments is not liable for any damage
resulting from such signal connections. For more information, refer to the device
specifications available at ni.com/manuals.

Power-On States
At system startup and reset, the hardware sets all DIO lines to high-impedance inputs. The
NI DAQ device does not drive the signal high or low. Each line has a weak pull-down resistor
connected to it.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 21

Source/Sink Information
When used in output mode, the default configuration of the digital ports is active drive, allowing
3.3 V operation with a source/sink current limit of ±4 mA.

The ports can be configured as open collector using the NI-DAQmx API, allowing operation
with a different voltage level when used in conjunction with an external user-provided pull-up
resistor. Figure 14 shows an example of this connection.

Figure 14. Example of Connecting an External User-Provided Resistor

Vpull-up
(User Provided, ≤5 V)

External
Pull-Up P0.0 with Output Drive Type
Resistor Set to Open Collector
Rpull
External
Load
47 Ω
Protection 47.5 kΩ
Resistor Onboard
Pull-Down
Resistor

DAQ Device

Note: Ensure that the current flowing across Rpull does not violate the maximum sinking current specifications
(4 mA).

For more information about configuring NI devices to be open-drain (open collector) or

push-pull (active drive), go to ni.com/info and enter Info Code ex52sp.

I/O Protection
To protect the NI DAQ device against overvoltage, undervoltage, and overcurrent conditions, as
well as ESD events, you should avoid these fault conditions by using the following guidelines:
• If you configure a DIO line as an output, do not connect it to any external signal source,
ground signal, or power supply.
• If you configure a DIO line as an output, understand the current requirements of the load
connected to these signals. Do not exceed the specified current output limits of the
NI DAQ device. National Instruments has several signal conditioning solutions for digital
applications requiring high-current drive.
• If you configure a DIO line as an input, do not drive the line with voltages outside of its
normal operating range. The DIO lines have a smaller operating range than the AI signals.
• Treat the NI DAQ device as you would treat any static-sensitive device. Always properly
ground yourself and the equipment when handling the NI DAQ device or connecting to it.

22 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

PFI 0 and PFI 1
Using PFI as a Counter Source
You can configure PFI 0 or PFI 1 as a source for counting digital edges. In this mode, either
rising- or falling-edges are counted using a 32-bit counter. For more information, refer to the
device specifications document available at ni.com/manuals.

Note Edges can only be counted up from either 0 or an initial value such as 1, 2,
3...or 1001, 1002, 1003. Counting down is not supported; you cannot set the initial
count to 100 and count down 99, 98, 97.

Using PFI to Trigger an Analog Input Acquisition

You can configure an analog input task to wait for an edge on PFI 0 or PFI 1 before starting the
acquisition. To do this, configure the AI Start Trigger source to be PFI 0 or PFI 1 and specify
either rising or falling edge.

Using PFI to Trigger an Analog Output Generation

You can configure an analog output task to wait for an edge on PFI 0 or PFI 1 before starting the
acquisition. To do this, configure the AO Start Trigger source to be PFI 0 or PFI 1 and specify
either rising- or falling-edge.

+5 V Power Source
Figure 15 shows the +5 V power source circuitry of the NI USB-6001/6002/6003.

Figure 15. +5 V Power Source Circuitry

I/O Connector

To USB
+5 V
+5 V +5 V Connector
Protection Source
D GND

16-Position
Screw Terminal
Plug

The main blocks featured in the +5 V power source circuitry are as follows:
• +5 V Source—Regulated 5 V supply.
• +5 V Protection—Circuit for overvoltage, over current, and short circuit protection.

The +5 V source is limited at 200 mA typically. In case of hard short circuit to ground, this limit
is further reduced to avoid excessive power dissipation.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 23

Connecting the Load
The return terminal for the +5 V source is the D GND terminal. +5 V load should be connected
between the +5 V terminal and D GND. The current delivered by the NI DAQ device at the +5 V
terminal is sourced from the USB connector. To meet the USB specifications, a maximum of
150 mA can be used from the +5 V terminal.

Figure 16. Connecting +5 V Power Source Load

Optional
Capacitor
+5 V

Load

D GND

16-Position
Screw Terminal
Plug

Enable +5 V Power Source

The + 5 V power is always enabled and the voltage is present at the +5 V terminal when the
device is in active mode. The +5 V power source is not available for about one second after the
NI DAQ device is first connected to the USB connector or when the device is in suspend mode.

Related Documentation
The most recent versions of documents are available from ni.com/manuals.

The following references to documents assume you have NI-DAQmx 9.9 or later and, where
applicable, version 8.5 or later of the NI application software.

Examples
To locate NI software examples, go to ni.com/info and enter the Info Code daqmxexp.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003
The NI USB-6001/6002/6003 Quick Start packaged with your NI DAQ device describes how to
install the device and confirm that your device is operating properly.

The NI USB-6001 Specifications, NI USB-6002 Specifications, and NI USB-6003 Specifications

are available for download from ni.com/manuals.

24 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

NI-DAQmx
The NI-DAQmx Readme lists which devices, Application Development Environments (ADEs),
and NI application software are supported by your version of NI-DAQmx. To access the
NI-DAQmx Readme, select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx»
NI-DAQmx Readme.

The NI-DAQmx Help contains API and NI-DAQmx concepts, and applications. To access the
NI-DAQmx Help, select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx»
NI-DAQmx Help.

LabVIEW
If you are a new user, go to ni.com/gettingstarted.

Use the LabVIEW Help, available by selecting Help»LabVIEW Help in LabVIEW, to access
information about LabVIEW programming concepts. Refer to the following locations on the
Contents tab of the LabVIEW Help for information about NI-DAQmx:
• Start»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx»NI-DAQmx Help»
Getting Started—Includes overview information and a tutorial about how to take an
NI-DAQmx measurement in LabVIEW using the NI-DAQ Assistant.
• VI and Function Reference»Measurement I/O VIs and Functions»DAQmx - Data
Acquisition VIs and Functions—Describes the LabVIEW NI-DAQmx VIs and functions.
• Property and Method Reference»NI-DAQmx Properties contains the property
reference.
• Taking Measurements—Contains the conceptual and how-to information you need to
acquire and analyze measurement data in LabVIEW.

LabWindows/CVI
The Data Acquisition book of the LabWindows/CVI Help contains Taking an NI-DAQmx
Measurement in LabWindows/CVI, which contains instructions about creating a measurement
task using the NI-DAQ Assistant. In LabWindows/CVI, select Help»Contents, then select
Using LabWindows/CVI»Data Acquisition.

The NI-DAQmx Library book of the LabWindows/CVI Help contains API overviews and
function reference for NI-DAQmx. Select Library Reference»NI-DAQmx Library in the
LabWindows/CVI Help.

Measurement Studio
If you program your NI-DAQmx-supported device in Measurement Studio using Visual C# or
Visual Basic .NET, you can create channels and tasks by launching the NI-DAQ Assistant from
NI MAX or from within Visual Studio. You can use Measurement Studio to generate the
configuration code based on your task or channel. Refer to the DAQ Assistant Help for
additional information about generating code.

NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide | © National Instruments | 25

To view the NI Measurement Studio Help in Visual Studio, select Measurement Studio»
NI Measurement Studio Help. For information related to developing with NI-DAQmx, refer
to the following topics within the NI Measurement Studio Help:
• To create an NI-DAQmx application using the Measurement Studio Application Wizard
and the NI-DAQ Assistant, refer to Walkthrough: Creating a Measurement Studio
NI-DAQmx Application.
• For help with NI-DAQmx methods and properties, refer to NationalInstruments.DAQmx
Namespace and NationalInstruments.DAQmx.ComponentModel Namespace.
• For conceptual help with NI-DAQmx, refer to Using the Measurement Studio NI-DAQmx
.NET Library and Developing with Measurement Studio NI-DAQmx.
• For general help with programming in Measurement Studio, refer to Getting Started with
the Measurement Studio Class Libraries.

To create an application in Visual Basic .NET or Visual C#, follow these general steps:
1. In Visual Studio, select File»New»Project to launch the New Project dialog box.
2. In the Project types pane, expand the Visual Basic or Visual C# node, depending on which
language you want to create the project in, and select Measurement Studio.
3. Choose a project type. You add NI DAQ tasks as a part of this step.

ANSI C without NI Application Software

The NI-DAQmx Help contains API overviews and general information about measurement
concepts. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx»NI-DAQmx Help.

The NI-DAQmx C Reference Help describes the NI-DAQmx Library functions, which you can
use with National Instruments data acquisition devices to develop instrumentation, acquisition,
and control applications. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx»
Text-Based Code Support»NI-DAQmx C Reference Help.

.NET Languages without NI Application Software

With the Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 or later, you can use NI-DAQmx to create
applications using Visual C# and Visual Basic .NET without Measurement Studio. You need
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2005 or later for the API documentation to be installed.

The installed documentation contains the NI-DAQmx API overview, measurement tasks and
concepts, and function reference. To view the NI-DAQmx .NET documentation, go to Start»
All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQmx» Text-Based Code Support. For function
reference, refer to the NationalInstruments.DAQmx Namespace and NationalInstruments.
DAQmx.ComponentModel Namespace topics. For conceptual help, refer to the Using the
Measurement Studio NI-DAQmx .NET Library and Developing with Measurement Studio
NI-DAQmx sections.

To get to the same help topics from within Visual Studio 2005 or 2008, go to Help»Contents
and select Measurement Studio from the Filtered By drop-down list. To get to the same help
topics from within Visual Studio 2010, go to Help»View Help and select NI Measurement
Studio Help from the Related Links section.

26 | ni.com | NI USB-6001/6002/6003 User Guide

Training Courses
If you need more help getting started developing an application with NI products, NI offers
training courses. To enroll in a course or obtain a detailed course outline, refer to ni.com/
training.

Technical Support on the Web

For additional support, refer to ni.com/support.

Many NI DAQ specifications and user guides are available as PDFs. You must have Adobe
Reader 7.0 or later (PDF 1.6 or later) installed to view the PDFs. Refer to the Adobe Systems
Incorporated Web site at www.adobe.com to download Acrobat Reader. Refer to the National
Instruments Product Manuals Library at ni.com/manuals for updated documentation
resources.

Worldwide Support and Services

The National Instruments website is your complete resource for technical support. At ni.com/
support you have access to everything from troubleshooting and application development
self-help resources to email and phone assistance from NI Application Engineers.

Visit ni.com/services for NI Factory Installation Services, repairs, extended warranty, and
other services.

Visit ni.com/register to register your National Instruments product. Product registration

facilitates technical support and ensures that you receive important information updates from NI.

A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is our claim of compliance with the Council of the European
Communities using the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. This system affords the user
protection for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and product safety. You can obtain the DoC
for your product by visiting ni.com/certification. If your product supports calibration,
you can obtain the calibration certificate for your product at ni.com/calibration.

National Instruments corporate headquarters is located at 11500 North Mopac Expressway,

Austin, Texas, 78759-3504. National Instruments also has offices located around the world. For
telephone support in the United States, create your service request at ni.com/support or dial
1 866 ASK MYNI (275 6964). For telephone support outside the United States, visit the
Worldwide Offices section of ni.com/niglobal to access the branch office websites, which
provide up-to-date contact information, support phone numbers, email addresses, and current
events.

Refer to the NI Trademarks and Logo Guidelines at ni.com/trademarks for more information on National Instruments trademarks. Other
product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. For patents covering National
Instruments products/technology, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file on your media, or the
National Instruments Patents Notice at ni.com/patents. You can find information about end-user license agreements (EULAs) and third-party
legal notices in the readme file for your NI product. Refer to the Export Compliance Information at ni.com/legal/export-compliance
for the National Instruments global trade compliance policy and how to obtain relevant HTS codes, ECCNs, and other import/export data. NI MAKES
NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR
ANY ERRORS. U.S. Government Customers: The data contained in this manual was developed at private expense and is subject to the applicable
limited rights and restricted data rights as set forth in FAR 52.227-14s, DFAR 252.227-7014, and DFAR 252.227-7015.
© 2014 National Instruments. All rights reserved.

374259A-01 May14