PCI‑6259 | Product Overview

The NI PCI‑6259 is a National Instruments (NI) M-series, high-density multi-function DAQ card (32 AI, 4 AO, 48 DIO, no isolation), PCI bus, full-length card, featuring:

32 channels of AI (16 bit/1.25 MS/s) + 4 channels of AO + 48 channels of DIO + 2 channels of counter

Suitable for multi-channel high-speed acquisition, closed-loop control, laboratory automation, and mixed-signal testing that requires analog output.

Part number: 779072‑01 / 190996B‑01; discontinued (EOL), replacement model PCIe‑6353NI.

I. Basic Information

Model: PCI‑6259

Brand: National Instruments (NI)

Series: M-Series (high-density, high-speed, with 4 AO, non-isolated)

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

Connector: 2 × 68-pin VHDCI

Driver: NI‑DAQmxNI

Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 55 °C

Isolation: No isolation (non-isolated type) NI

II. Analog Input AI (32 channels)

Channels: 32 single-ended / 16 differential (software configurable)

Resolution: 16 bits, no bit loss guarantee

Maximum Sampling Rate: 1.25 MS/s (single channel); 1 MS/s (total of multiple channels)

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

Coupling: DC

Input Impedance: >10 GΩ || 100 pF

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

CMRR: 100 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: 2.86 MS/s (per channel)

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

Drive Capacity: ±5 mA (per channel)

Setup Time: 10 µs (to ±0.5 LSB)

Load: Minimum 1 kΩ

IV. Digital I/O (DIO, 48 channels)

Channels: 48 bidirectional TTL (non-isolated)

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

Maximum Rate: 10 MHz

DO Drive: Maximum 24 mA/channel (current injection)

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 NI

Synchronization: RTSI multi-card synchronization

Data Transfer: DMA, interrupt, programmable I/O

VII. Installation and Usage Tips Installation

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

Wiring (2 × 68-pin VHDCI)

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

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

DIO： TTL common ground， 48 groups， avoid long-distance parallel walking lines； PFI used as trigger / clock.

Software configuration (NI-DAQmx)

Sampling： High-speed synchronous scanning， 32 channels polled

Range： Weak signal priority ±0.1 V / ±0.2 V

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

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

AI input must not exceed ±11 V, AO must not be short-circuited.

VIII. Core Features

32 AI (1.25 MS/s/16 bit) + 4 AO + 48 DIO + 2 counters, no isolation

Full-length PCI card, dual 68-pin VHDCI, NI-DAQmx driver stable

With 4 high-speed AO, suitable for mixed systems of acquisition + closed-loop control

Applicable: High-speed multi-channel measurement in the laboratory, sensor array, closed-loop control, mixed signal testing, DAQ systems requiring AO