NI PCI-DIO-96 Digital I/O Card with 8253 Counter/Timer Chip

The NI PCI-DIO-96 is a PCI bus digital I/O card delivering 96 channels of TTL/CMOS-compatible digital input/output for industrial automation, data acquisition, and real-time control systems. Built around four 82C55 programmable peripheral interface chips and an 82C53 programmable interval timer, the card provides flexible signal handling with bidirectional and unidirectional modes, 2-wire handshake capability, and software-configurable 8-bit port architecture. Each I/O line features 100 kΩ bias resistors for predictable power-up states. The card connects via a 100-pin female 0.050 series D-type connector and operates from a single +5 VDC supply at 400 mA, making it suitable for integration into test, measurement, and control racks with minimal power overhead.

– Technical Specifications

• Digital I/O Channels: 96 channels across four 24-bit parallel interfaces
• Counter/Timer Chip: 82C53 with three 16-bit counters; two counters support timed interrupt generation
• I/O Port Configuration: Twelve 8-bit ports (PORT A, PORT B, PORT C per each 82C55 chip)
• Signal Characteristics: TTL/CMOS logic at 5 V; bidirectional and unidirectional operation supported
• Handshake Protocol: 2-wire handshake capability
• Bias Network: 100 kΩ resistors per line; high default state at power-up
• Power Supply: +5 VDC ±5%; 400 mA consumption
• Operating Temperature: 0 to 55 °C
• Storage Temperature: –20 to 70 °C

– Key Features

• PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.1 compliant
• 100-pin D-type I/O connector with 50-pin accessory cable support (R1005050)
• Register-level and driver-level programming options
• NI-DAQmx and NI-DAQ driver compatibility
• Compact form factor: 5.4 x 4.2 inches, 3.6 oz

– Typical Applications

• Industrial automation and process control
• Multi-channel data acquisition
• Real-time digital signal routing
• Timed event generation and interrupt handling

– Compatibility & Integration

The PCI-DIO-96 integrates with LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and NI-DAQmx software stacks. Hardware integration includes SCXI signal conditioning, SSR relay modules, SC-206x devices, ER-8/ER-16 electromechanical relays, and CA-1000 custom connectivity enclosures.