The National Instruments 778916-02, also known as the PCI-7342, is a high-performance 2-Axis Stepper/Servo Motion Controller designed to deliver advanced motion control capabilities for PCI-compliant systems. This controller is enhanced by user-friendly software tools and motion VI libraries compatible with LabVIEW, ensuring effortless integration into existing applications. It features a dual-processor architecture that comprises a real-time 32-bit Motorola MC68331 CPU and a digital signal processor (DSP) from Analog Devices, which collectively optimize system performance by handling complex motion algorithms, thus freeing up host resources.

The PCI-7342 provides comprehensive motion I/O options for two axes, accommodating high encoder feedback rates of up to 20 MHz, as well as inputs for limit and home switches. It includes two analog inputs for joystick control or sensor monitoring, delivering signals in the industry-standard ±10 V range, along with 32 bits of digital I/O for general-purpose functionality. With capabilities for both open-loop and closed-loop control, this versatile controller supports a wide variety of applications including point-to-point moves and linear vector movement. The stepper axes facilitate advanced control options, including full, half, and micro-stepping, while the servo axes ensure continuous closed-loop operation with precise analog command outputs for servo valves, hydraulics, and motors. Dimensions for the PCI-7342 are 17.5 cm by 9.9 cm (6.9 in. by 3.9 in.), making it suitable for integration into space-constrained environments.