The CompactRIO (or cRIO) is a robust control and data acquisition platform developed by National Instruments (NI). It is specially designed for industrial applications that require real-time performance, modularity, and resistance to harsh environments.
CompactRIO Architecture
The CompactRIO system is composed of three main components:
- C Series Modules
These are interchangeable input/output (I/O) modules that allow you to configure the system according to the application. There are analog, digital, communication, motor control modules, among others. They are designed to withstand industrial environments with vibration, extreme temperature, and electrical noise. - Real-time Controller (RT)
It is the brain of the system, executing deterministic and secure code with the real-time operating system (RTOS). Ideal for critical applications that require precise control, such as hardware testing, industrial automation, or field monitoring. - Reconfigurable FPGA
One of the differentiators of CompactRIO is the presence of a programmable FPGA, which allows implementing custom logic for data acquisition, fast I/O control, and signal filtering with very high speed and low latency.
Typical Applications
The CompactRIO is widely used in the following areas:
- Automated production testing (ATE)
- Industrial machine control
- Structural monitoring (bridges, turbines, etc.)
- Embedded systems for railway or aerospace automation
- Research and development in engineering
Advantages
- High reliability and industrial robustness
- Flexible and modular architecture
- Real-time execution and local processing via FPGA
- Support for LabVIEW software for intuitive graphical programming
- Support for industrial protocols (CAN, Modbus, EtherCAT, etc.)