NI Introduces FPGA-Based Servo Drive Module for CompactRIO; Seven New C Series Modules Provide Strain Accuracy, Increased Channel Density and Isolation

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2006--National Instruments (Nasdaq:NATI) today announced a new, high-speed H-bridge servo drive module and seven C Series modules for the National Instruments CompactRIO embedded platform. The new NI 9505 drive module for NI CompactRIO offers direct connectivity to actuators, such as fractional horsepower brushed DC servo motors, relays, lamps, solenoids and valves. With the addition of the new C Series modules, engineers now have more than 30 plug-in C Series modules to choose from and can connect to any industrial or automotive sensor or signal type.

With the low-power consumption and small size of the NI 9505 module, coupled with the reconfigurability and performance of the field-programmable gate array (FPGA), engineers can create intelligent, energy-efficient control systems using the National Instruments LabVIEW graphical system design platform. The NI 9505 delivers continuous current of up to 8 A at 40 degrees Celsius (or 2 A at 70 degrees Celsius) with a peak current of 12 A at 30 V while achieving 98 percent power efficiency. This module benefits electronics engineers designing consumer appliances, industrial control engineers designing small- to medium-sized machines, and automotive engineers working on rapid prototyping applications.

Engineers can use NI LabVIEW with the energy-efficient, real-time embedded processor and high-performance FPGA of the CompactRIO embedded control and acquisition system to create powerful motion control applications. By customizing FPGA logic, engineers can accurately control torque, velocity and position, and implement advanced control techniques such as the use of notch filters and gain scheduling. With the CompactRIO real-time embedded processor, they can implement functions such as supervisory control and trajectory generation for multi-axis coordination and accurate velocity/acceleration profiles for smooth movements.

In addition to the NI 9505 module, NI is releasing seven new plug-in C Series modules for CompactRIO that deliver more analog inputs per module; high-performance strain; current, fuel cell and RTD analog inputs; and channel-to-channel isolation for digital I/O. With the new NI 9205 32-channel analog input module and any 8-slot CompactRIO chassis, engineers can build a 256-channel reconfigurable, embedded logging system. The new NI 9237 provides high-performance measurements for strain gage and load cell measurements and delivers 24 bits of resolution and up to 50 kS/s simultaneous sampling rates for dynamic strain applications. All new C Series modules feature built-in isolation, ensuring the safety of users, protection of expensive equipment and noise immunity. For additional isolation, the NI 9422 module features channel-to-channel isolation, offering the highest level of safety for industrial and automotive applications.

These new modules include:

-- NI 9203 8-channel +/-20 mA, 200 kS/s, 16-bit analog input module

-- NI 9205 32-channel +/-200 mV to +/-10 V, 250 kS/s, 16-bit analog input module

-- NI 9206 16-channel +/-200 mV to +/-10 V, 250 kS/S, 16-bit fuel cell analog input module

-- NI 9217 4-channel 100 ohm RTD, 100 S/s, 24-bit analog input module

-- NI 9237 4-channel full/half-bridge, 50 kS/s/Ch, 24-bit simultaneous analog input module

-- NI 9422 8-channel 24 V, 100 micro s, channel-to-channel isolated digital input module

-- NI 9477 32-channel 5 V to 60 V, 8 micro s, sinking digital output module

Engineers can customize the timing and synchronization of all CompactRIO modules using the FPGA within CompactRIO and LabVIEW. These new modules, along with the entire family of CompactRIO modules, integrate seamlessly with LabVIEW. This platform combines LabVIEW programming with commercial off-the-shelf measurement and embedded hardware targets to help development teams design, prototype and deploy systems more quickly and reliably.

About National Instruments

For 30 years, National Instruments (www.ni.com) has been a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation -- a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, PCI Express, USB and Ethernet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,800 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. For the past seven years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America. Readers can obtain investment information from the company's investor relations department by calling 512-683-5090, e-mailing nati@ni.com or visiting www.ni.com/nati.

Pricing and Contact Information

NI 9505, NI 9203, NI 9205, NI 9206, NI 9217, NI 9237, NI 9422,
NI 9477
NI 9505 priced from $399
C Series modules priced from $149
Web: www.ni.com/compactrio

11500 N Mopac Expwy, Austin, Texas 78759-3504
Tel: 800-258-7022, Fax: 512-683-9300
E-mail: info@ni.com

CompactRIO, LabVIEW, National Instruments, NI and ni.com are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.