User's Manual
© National Instruments Corporation 75 NI cDAQ-9172 User Guide and Specifications
External Source Mode
In external source mode, the chassis generates a delayed Source signal by 
delaying the Source signal by several nanoseconds. The NI cDAQ-9172 
chassis synchronizes signals on the rising edge of the delayed Source signal 
and counts on the following rising edge of the source, as shown in 
Figure 48.
Figure 48. External Source Mode
Digital Routing and Clock Generation
The digital routing circuitry has the following functions:
• Manages the flow of data between the bus interface and the 
acquisition/generation sub-systems (analog input, analog output, 
digital I/O, and the counters). The digital routing circuitry uses FIFOs 
(if present) in each sub-system to ensure efficient data movement.
• Routes timing and control signals. The acquisition/generation 
sub-systems use these signals to manage acquisitions and generations. 
These signals can come from the following sources:
– Your C Series I/O modules
– User input through the PFI terminals using correlated digital 
C Series I/O modules in slots 5 and/or 6
• Routes and generates the main clock signals for the NI cDAQ-9172 
chassis.
To determine the signal routing options for C Series I/O modules 
installed in the NI cDAQ-9172 chassis, refer to the Device Routes tab 
in MAX.
Source 
Delayed Source 
Synchronize
Count










