Product Introduction
The NI cRIO-9030 is a CompactRIO embedded controller designed for deterministic control, industrial automation, distributed monitoring, and embedded data acquisition applications. Combining an Intel® Atom™ processor, a Xilinx FPGA, and support for modular NI C Series I/O, the cRIO-9030 delivers a powerful platform for machine control, industrial monitoring, condition monitoring, and real-time measurement.
The integrated real-time processor and FPGA architecture enable engineers to execute deterministic control algorithms while performing high-speed signal acquisition, custom timing, and hardware-level processing within a compact industrial controller.
Product Overview
The cRIO-9030 is part of the National Instruments CompactRIO family, integrating real-time computing, FPGA processing, and modular I/O expansion into a rugged embedded controller. It supports a wide variety of NI C Series modules, allowing users to measure analog, digital, temperature, vibration, strain, CAN, serial communication, and motion signals from one compact system.
Unlike traditional DAQ systems, the cRIO-9030 executes applications locally using NI Linux Real-Time while leveraging FPGA hardware for deterministic timing, custom communication protocols, and high-speed control.
The controller integrates seamlessly with LabVIEW Real-Time, LabVIEW FPGA, NI MAX, and the complete NI software ecosystem.
Key Features
Intel Atom Embedded Processor
The integrated Intel processor provides reliable embedded computing for industrial applications.
- Intel Atom processor
- Embedded architecture
- Standalone operation
- Industrial reliability
- Efficient application execution
Advantage: Enables local execution of measurement, logging, and automation applications without requiring an external computer.
Integrated Xilinx FPGA
The onboard FPGA performs deterministic hardware-level processing.
- Xilinx FPGA architecture
- Parallel processing
- Deterministic timing
- Hardware acceleration
- Custom digital logic
Advantage: Supports high-speed control, custom protocols, encoder processing, and low-latency signal acquisition.
Modular C Series Expansion
The controller supports interchangeable NI C Series I/O modules for flexible system configuration.
- Analog input
- Analog output
- Digital I/O
- Temperature measurement
- CAN communication
- Counter modules
- Motion control
- Vibration measurement
Advantage: Easily adapts to changing industrial measurement and control requirements.
Real-Time Deterministic Control
Built on NI Linux Real-Time, the controller provides deterministic application execution.
- Real-time operating system
- Predictable timing
- Fast control loops
- Reliable scheduling
- Continuous operation
Advantage: Ideal for machine automation, robotics, and industrial process control.
Industrial Connectivity
Multiple communication interfaces simplify integration with industrial equipment.
- Gigabit Ethernet
- USB ports
- Serial communication
- Industrial networking
- Remote management
Advantage: Connects easily to PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and supervisory systems.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | CompactRIO Embedded Controller |
| Processor | Intel® Atom™ Processor |
| FPGA | Xilinx FPGA |
| Operating System | NI Linux Real-Time |
| C Series Expansion | Compatible with NI C Series Modules |
| Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB | USB Host Ports |
| Synchronization | Integrated Timing and FPGA Synchronization |
| Programming | LabVIEW Real-Time, LabVIEW FPGA |
| Driver Support | NI-RIO |
| Storage | Embedded Nonvolatile Storage |
| Operating Temperature | Industrial Operating Range |
Software Ecosystem
The cRIO-9030 integrates with the National Instruments software ecosystem for embedded control, FPGA programming, and industrial automation.
- LabVIEW Real-Time – Deterministic control application development.
- LabVIEW FPGA Module – FPGA programming using graphical development.
- NI-RIO Driver – Communication between host software and controller.
- NI MAX – Hardware configuration and diagnostics.
- SystemLink – Remote deployment and system management.
- C/C++ and .NET Integration – Additional application development support.
Industries
- Industrial Automation
- Machine Control
- Robotics
- Energy Systems
- Automotive Manufacturing
- Aerospace and Defense
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Research Laboratories
Applications
Industrial Machine Control
Implement deterministic control for industrial equipment.
- Machine automation
- Servo control
- Motion systems
- Industrial robotics
Embedded Data Acquisition
Acquire analog and digital measurements directly at the machine.
- Sensor monitoring
- Signal acquisition
- Data logging
- Remote measurements
Condition Monitoring
Monitor equipment health continuously using multiple sensor technologies.
- Vibration monitoring
- Temperature monitoring
- Motor diagnostics
- Predictive maintenance
Custom FPGA Applications
Develop hardware-accelerated control and communication systems.
- Encoder processing
- PWM generation
- Custom communication
- High-speed control
Comparison with Similar Products
| Model | Main Difference | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| NI cRIO-9030 | CompactRIO embedded controller with Intel Atom processor and FPGA. | General embedded industrial control |
| NI cRIO-9035 | Higher-performance CompactRIO controller with enhanced processing capability. | Advanced automation systems |
| NI cRIO-9049 | Next-generation CompactRIO controller with higher CPU and FPGA performance. | High-performance industrial automation |
| NI-9149 | EtherCAT remote I/O expansion chassis without embedded processor. | Distributed EtherCAT I/O |
Recommended Related Products
| NI-9205 | 32-channel analog input C Series module. |
| NI-9219 | Universal analog input module for multiple sensor types. |
| NI-9234 | Dynamic signal acquisition module for vibration monitoring. |
| NI-9401 | High-speed bidirectional digital I/O module. |
| NI-9482 | Relay output module for industrial control applications. |
Why Choose cRIO-9030?
- Integrated Intel Atom embedded processor
- Built-in Xilinx FPGA for deterministic hardware control
- Supports a wide range of NI C Series modules
- Runs NI Linux Real-Time for reliable operation
- Excellent platform for industrial automation and machine control
- Compatible with LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA
- Compact and rugged embedded architecture
- Ideal for long-term industrial deployment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cRIO-9030 primarily used for?
The cRIO-9030 is designed for industrial automation, machine control, embedded data acquisition, condition monitoring, robotics, and deterministic real-time control applications.
Does the cRIO-9030 include an FPGA?
Yes. The controller integrates a Xilinx FPGA that enables deterministic timing, custom hardware processing, high-speed digital control, and FPGA-based signal processing using the LabVIEW FPGA Module.
Which software supports the cRIO-9030?
The cRIO-9030 is supported by LabVIEW Real-Time, LabVIEW FPGA, NI-RIO, NI MAX, SystemLink, and the complete National Instruments CompactRIO software ecosystem.
Conclusion
The NI cRIO-9030 CompactRIO Embedded Controller combines an Intel Atom processor, integrated FPGA technology, and modular C Series expansion into a rugged industrial platform. With deterministic real-time control, flexible I/O configuration, and seamless LabVIEW integration, it is an ideal solution for industrial automation, machine control, embedded monitoring, and advanced measurement applications.
