PCI‑6280 | Product Introduction

The NI PCI‑6280 is a high-precision multi-function DAQ card (18-bit AI, no AO, 24 DIO, no isolation) from the M series of National Instruments (NI), based on PCI bus, half-length card. Its main features are:

16 AI channels (18 bit/625 kS/s) + 24 DIO channels + 2 counters + programmable low-pass filter

Suitable for high-precision sensor measurements, instrument-level acquisition, low-noise signals, laboratory / R&D precision testing, systems requiring high resolution but without AO.

Part number: 779108‑01; discontinued (EOL), replacement model: PCIe‑6363.

I. Basic Information

Model: PCI‑6280

Brand: National Instruments (NI)

Series: M-Series (18-bit high precision, low noise, no AO, non-isolated)

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

Connector: 1 × 68-pin VHDCI

Driver: NI-DAQmx

Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 55 °C

Isolation: No isolation (non-isolated type)

Features: 18-bit without bit loss, built-in 40 kHz programmable low-pass filter, NI-PGIA2 amplifier, NIST calibration

II. Analog Input AI (16 channels, 18-bit high precision)

Channels: 16 single-ended / 8 differential (software configurable) NI

Resolution: 18 bits, bit loss guaranteed by NI

Maximum Sampling Rate: 625 kS/s (single channel); 500 kS/s (total of multiple channels) NI

Input Range (software selectable): ±0.1 V, ±0.2 V, ±0.5 V, ±1 V, ±2 V, ±5 V, ±10 V NI

Coupling: DC NI

Input Impedance: >10 GΩ || 100 pF

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

CMRR: 100 dB @ DC~60 Hz

Filter: Built-in 40 kHz programmable low-pass (anti-aliasing)

Input FIFO: 4,095 samples

III. Analog Output AO

No analog output (AO) channel

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

Channels: 24 bidirectional TTL (non-isolated), including 8 synchronous associated DIO

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, PFI

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 edge / window trigger, PFI external digital trigger

Synchronization: RTSI multi-card synchronization

Data Transmission: DMA, interrupt, programmable I/O

VII. Installation and Usage Tips Installation

Power off and disconnect, insert into the standard PCI half-length slot, fix the retaining plate screws; after powering on, MAX will recognize and self-check.

Cabling (1 × 68-pin VHDCI)

AI: Single-ended AIn + GND; Differential AI+/AI−, common mode ≤ ±11 V, no isolation against ground loop.

DIO: TTL common ground, avoid long-distance parallel lines; PFI used as trigger / clock.

Software configuration (NI-DAQmx)

Sampling: High precision, low speed priority, enable 40 kHz low-pass filtering for noise reduction

Range: Weak signal priority ±0.1 V / ±0.2 V (18-bit advantage is obvious)

Trigger: Common edge trigger (rising / falling) Notes for Attention

No isolation, not suitable for strong industrial interference / high voltage.

AI input must not exceed ±11 V to avoid overvoltage damage.

VIII. Core Features

16 AI (18 bit/625 kS/s, low-pass filtering) + 24 DIO + 2 counters, no AO, no isolation

PCI half-length card, single 68-pin VHDCI, NI-DAQmx driver stable, NIST calibration

18-bit high resolution + low noise design, suitable for precision sensors and instrument-level measurement

Applicable: high-precision measurement in the laboratory, low-noise signal acquisition, sensor array, precision testing, high-resolution DAQ system without AO required