Product Introduction
The NI cDAQ-9185 is a high-performance 4-slot Ethernet CompactDAQ chassis designed for distributed measurement, industrial monitoring, automated testing, and remote data acquisition applications. Supporting a wide range of NI C Series I/O modules, the cDAQ-9185 combines deterministic Ethernet communication, integrated timing and synchronization, and flexible modular expansion to simplify the deployment of scalable measurement systems.
Its Gigabit Ethernet interface allows engineers to place measurement hardware close to sensors while controlling the system remotely from a workstation or industrial PC. The cDAQ-9185 is ideal for industrial automation, machine monitoring, laboratory testing, structural health monitoring, and production validation.
Product Overview
The cDAQ-9185 is part of the latest NI CompactDAQ Ethernet chassis family. It accommodates up to four interchangeable NI C Series modules, allowing multiple measurement types to be combined within one compact chassis.
Featuring high-speed Ethernet communication, integrated hardware synchronization, and support for Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), the cDAQ-9185 delivers deterministic distributed measurements while reducing wiring complexity and improving installation flexibility.
The chassis integrates seamlessly with NI-DAQmx, LabVIEW, FlexLogger, DIAdem, and numerous programming languages, making it suitable for both laboratory development and industrial deployment.
Key Features
4-Slot Modular CompactDAQ Platform
The chassis supports four interchangeable NI C Series measurement modules.
- 4 C Series module slots
- Mixed-signal measurements
- Flexible expansion
- Compact industrial design
- Tool-free module installation
Advantage: Supports multiple sensor types within a single synchronized acquisition system.
Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity
High-speed Ethernet enables remote measurement and distributed system deployment.
- Gigabit Ethernet interface
- Remote system access
- Long-distance installation
- Reliable communication
- Industrial networking
Advantage: Places acquisition hardware closer to sensors while reducing signal degradation.
Time Sensitive Networking (TSN)
Built-in TSN technology provides deterministic synchronization across distributed systems.
- IEEE 802.1 TSN support
- Hardware synchronization
- Distributed timing
- Precise clock synchronization
- Scalable measurement networks
Advantage: Enables synchronized measurements across multiple Ethernet CompactDAQ chassis.
Broad C Series Module Compatibility
Compatible with more than one hundred NI C Series measurement modules.
- Analog input modules
- Analog output modules
- Digital I/O modules
- Temperature modules
- Strain and bridge modules
- Vibration modules
- CAN communication modules
- Counter modules
Advantage: Easily adapts to changing measurement requirements without replacing the chassis.
Industrial-Grade Distributed Measurement
Designed for continuous operation in laboratory and industrial environments.
- Industrial reliability
- Distributed architecture
- Long-term stability
- Compact footprint
- Easy deployment
Advantage: Supports modern Industry 4.0 measurement and monitoring applications.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Ethernet CompactDAQ Chassis |
| Series | NI CompactDAQ |
| Number of Slots | 4 C Series Module Slots |
| Host Interface | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Network Technology | Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) |
| Compatible Modules | NI C Series Modules |
| Synchronization | Integrated Timing and TSN Synchronization |
| Supported Measurements | Analog, Digital, Temperature, Strain, Vibration, CAN, Motion |
| Driver | NI-DAQmx |
| Programming | LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, C#, .NET |
| Power Supply | External DC Power |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 55 °C |
Software Ecosystem
The cDAQ-9185 integrates seamlessly with National Instruments software for distributed measurement and automation.
- NI-DAQmx – Hardware configuration, synchronized acquisition, and device management.
- LabVIEW – Graphical programming for measurement and automation.
- FlexLogger – Configuration-based data logging without programming.
- NI MAX – Device discovery, diagnostics, and configuration.
- DIAdem – Measurement data management and analysis.
- Python, C/C++, C#, and .NET – Supported through NI-DAQmx APIs.
Industries
- Industrial Automation
- Smart Manufacturing
- Energy Systems
- Automotive Testing
- Aerospace and Defense
- Research Laboratories
- Structural Health Monitoring
- Electronics Manufacturing
Applications
Distributed Data Acquisition
Deploy measurement systems closer to sensors using Ethernet connectivity.
- Remote monitoring
- Distributed sensors
- Industrial measurement
- Centralized data collection
Machine Condition Monitoring
Monitor equipment health using synchronized sensor measurements.
- Vibration monitoring
- Motor diagnostics
- Predictive maintenance
- Equipment analysis
Industrial Process Control
Acquire process signals from distributed industrial equipment.
- Factory automation
- Process monitoring
- PLC integration
- Production testing
Research and Laboratory Testing
Create flexible modular measurement systems for engineering applications.
- Experimental research
- Sensor validation
- Prototype testing
- Engineering education
Comparison with Similar Products
| Model | Main Difference | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| NI cDAQ-9185 | 4-slot TSN-enabled Ethernet CompactDAQ chassis. | Distributed industrial measurements |
| NI cDAQ-9189 | 8-slot Ethernet CompactDAQ chassis for larger distributed systems. | Large-scale modular acquisition |
| NI cDAQ-9178 | 8-slot USB CompactDAQ chassis for local PC measurements. | USB-based laboratory acquisition |
| NI cDAQ-9174 | 4-slot USB CompactDAQ chassis for desktop applications. | Portable measurement systems |
Recommended Related Products
| NI-9205 | 32-channel analog input C Series module. |
| NI-9219 | Universal analog input module supporting multiple sensor types. |
| NI-9234 | Dynamic signal acquisition module for vibration measurements. |
| NI-9401 | High-speed bidirectional digital I/O module. |
| NI-9482 | Relay output C Series module for industrial control. |
Why Choose cDAQ-9185?
- 4-slot modular CompactDAQ architecture
- High-speed Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
- Integrated TSN synchronization
- Supports more than 100 NI C Series modules
- Ideal for distributed industrial measurements
- Compatible with NI-DAQmx, LabVIEW, and FlexLogger
- Scalable Industry 4.0 measurement platform
- Reliable long-term industrial operation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cDAQ-9185 primarily used for?
The cDAQ-9185 is designed for distributed data acquisition, industrial monitoring, remote sensor measurements, machine diagnostics, laboratory testing, and automated measurement systems.
Does the cDAQ-9185 support Time Sensitive Networking (TSN)?
Yes. The cDAQ-9185 includes TSN technology for deterministic synchronization across multiple Ethernet CompactDAQ systems, making it ideal for distributed measurements.
Which software supports the cDAQ-9185?
The cDAQ-9185 is fully supported by NI-DAQmx, LabVIEW, FlexLogger, NI MAX, DIAdem, Python, C/C++, C#, and .NET development environments.
Conclusion
The NI cDAQ-9185 4-Slot Ethernet CompactDAQ Chassis provides a modern distributed measurement platform that combines Gigabit Ethernet, TSN synchronization, modular C Series compatibility, and seamless NI software integration. It is an excellent solution for industrial automation, machine monitoring, smart manufacturing, laboratory research, and scalable remote data acquisition systems.
