cDAQ-9185

The cDAQ-9185 is a CompactDAQ Ethernet chassis designed for distributed sensor measurement systems. The chassis controls the timing, synchronization, and data transfer between C Series I/O modules and an external host. With this chassis, you can combine C Series I/O modules to create a mix of analog I/O, digital I/O, and counter/timer measurements. The chassis provides precise, synchronized timing over the network using TSN, ideal for highly distributed measurements over long distances. The chassis has an integrated network switch for simple daisy-chaining. The chassis also has four 32-bit general-purpose counters/timers, accessible through a hardware-timed digital C Series module for applications that involve quadrature encoders, PWM, pulse train generation, and more.

Part Number(s): 786473-01 | 785064-01

Applications and Use Cases of cDAQ-9185

The cDAQ-9185 Ethernet CompactDAQ Chassis is a 4-slot, 2-port, TSN-enabled Ethernet CompactDAQ chassis designed for distributed sensor measurement, synchronized data acquisition, and industrial monitoring systems. It serves as the core platform for NI C Series modules, handling timing, synchronization, and data transfer between installed modules and an external host. It also includes four 32-bit general-purpose counters/timers, an integrated network switch for daisy-chain deployment, and network-based synchronization, making it especially suitable for distributed and time-sensitive measurement applications.

1. Distributed Data Acquisition Systems
cDAQ-9185 is ideal for distributed measurement systems where sensors and acquisition points are spread across a production line, machine area, laboratory, or large facility. Its Ethernet architecture and TSN capability make it well suited for synchronized measurements over longer distances than typical USB-based systems.

2. Multi-Sensor Measurement and Monitoring
When used with compatible C Series modules, it can collect data from a wide range of sensors, including temperature, voltage, current, strain, vibration, pressure, and other industrial or scientific inputs. This makes it suitable for monitoring, validation, and process observation systems.

3. Industrial Monitoring and Machine Condition Monitoring
cDAQ-9185 is commonly used for machine health monitoring, equipment diagnostics, and process condition monitoring in industrial environments. Its network-based deployment is especially useful when data acquisition hardware must be installed close to the equipment while the host PC remains in a control room.

4. TSN-Synchronized Measurement Systems
One of the main strengths of cDAQ-9185 is precise synchronized timing over Ethernet using TSN. This makes it highly suitable for multi-node test systems where measurements from multiple chassis or multiple locations must remain aligned in time.

5. Counter/Timer and Encoder Applications
With its built-in four 32-bit general-purpose counters/timers, cDAQ-9185 supports applications such as quadrature encoder measurement, PWM, pulse train generation, event counting, pulse width measurement, and frequency/period measurement when used with appropriate modules and routing.

6. Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Control Validation
Because it supports mixed I/O configurations and synchronized timing, cDAQ-9185 is suitable for HIL simulation, control validation, and test systems that need coordinated analog, digital, and timing-based measurements across distributed nodes.

7. Safety-Critical and Network-Reliable Applications
The chassis includes features such as a watchdog timer and support for safe output expiration behavior in the event of communication loss or software failure, making it useful in applications where controlled fail-safe behavior is important.

8. Research, Engineering Development, and Field Deployment
cDAQ-9185 is widely applicable in engineering labs, system development projects, field measurement systems, and prototype validation where a networked, modular, and synchronized DAQ platform is needed.