PCI‑6236 | Product Introduction

The NI PCI‑6236 is a high-channel-count isolated multi-function DAQ card from the M series of National Instruments (NI), a PCI bus, full-length card. It features 16 isolated AI channels (16 bit/250 kS/s) + 4 AO channels + 24 isolated DIO channels + 2 counters. It is a high-density isolated model in the 623x series, suitable for scenarios requiring multiple isolated I/O channels such as industrial strong interference, high-voltage isolation, multi-channel sensor monitoring, ground loop suppression, and medium-sized closed-loop control. Part number: 779351‑01; discontinued (EOL), replacement model: PCIe‑6336.

I. Basic Information

Model: PCI‑6236

Brand: National Instruments (NI)

Series: M-Series (High-density Isolated I/O)

Bus: PCI (3.3 V / 5 V compatible, full-length card)

Connector: 2 × 37-pin D-SUB

Driver: NI-DAQmx

Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 55 °C

Size: 9.7 × 15.5 cm (Full length)

Isolation: Group isolation 60 VDC continuous, Channel-Bus 1950 VDC

II. Analog Input AI (16 channels, isolated)

Channels: 16 single-ended / 8 differential (software configurable, group isolation)

Resolution: 16 bits, no bit loss guarantee

Maximum Sampling Rate: 250 kS/s (single / total of multiple channels)

Input Range (software selectable): ±0.2 V, ±1 V, ±5 V, ±10 V

Coupling: DC

Input Impedance: >10 GΩ || 100 pF

Maximum Working Voltage: ±11 V (signal + common mode)

CMRR: 95 dB @ DC~60 Hz

Input FIFO: 4,095 samples

III. Analog Output AO (4 channels)

Channels: 4 voltage outputs

Resolution: 16 bits

Maximum Update Rate: 500 kS/s (per channel)

Output Range (software selectable): ±5 V, ±10 V

Drive Capacity: ±5 mA (per channel)

Setup Time: 10 µs (to ±0.5 LSB)

Load: Minimum 1 kΩ

IV. Digital I/O (DIO, 24 channels, isolated)

Channels: 24 bidirectional TTL (group isolation)

Level: 5 V TTL/CMOS (compatible with 3.3 V)

Maximum Rate: 10 MHz

DO Drive: Maximum 10 mA/channel

Function: Bidirectional input/output, event triggering, handshake signal, isolation anti-interference

V. Counter / Timer

Channels: 2 32-bit general-purpose counters

Clock: 80 MHz internal base

Function: Event counting, frequency / period measurement, pulse output, encoder, PWM

VI. Trigger and Synchronization

Trigger: AI analog trigger, PFI external digital trigger

Synchronization: RTSI bus multi-card synchronization

Data Transmission: DMA, interrupt, programmable I/O

VII. Installation and Usage Tips (Core of the Manual) Installation

Power off and disconnect the power supply. Insert into the standard PCI slot and secure the cover screws.

After powering on, the device will be identified and self-tested in MAX (Measurement & Automation Explorer).

Wiring (2 × 37-pin D-SUB)

AI: Single-ended connect to AIn + GND; differential connect to AI+ / AI−, common-mode voltage ≤ ±11 V, group isolation suppresses ground loop.

AO: AO output + AGND, load ≥ 1 kΩ,严禁 short circuit.

DIO： TTL level， isolated side common ground， avoid long-distance parallel lines; PFI can be configured as trigger / clock.

Software configuration (NI-DAQmx)

Sampling mode: Asynchronous scan (non-synchronous).

Range: Select ±0.2 / ±1 / ±5 / ±10 V according to signal amplitude.

Trigger： Commonly used edge trigger (rising / falling). Notes for Attention

All 16 channels of AI are isolated, with strong anti-interference capability, suitable for industrial environments.

The analog input must not exceed ±11 V, and the analog output must not be short-circuited; otherwise, the front-end will be damaged.

VIII. Core Features

16 isolated AI + 4 AO + 24 isolated DIO + 2 counters, high-density isolated I/O

Full-length PCI card, plug-and-play, stable NI-DAQmx driver

60 VDC group isolation, 1950 VDC channel-bus isolation, suppressing ground loops

Applications: industrial multi-channel monitoring, high-voltage isolation measurement, strong interference environment acquisition, medium-sized closed-loop control