cRIOs with patch cables

[philso]

Originally Posted by ckerr

Thanks all for the quick replies, I think at this point we'll stay away from moving the modules, but we'll keep moving the breakout boards as a possible option in mind.

In regards to why we have space limitations, my team doesn't currently have access to the smaller four slot cRIOs at this time. Also with our current design, the limitation is regarding height as the cRIO with modules and breakout boards inserted is too tall and sticks up into where the ball is planned to go; which seems unwise since the ball could easily bump and heavily damage the breakout boards if they remain in their original positions.

Connecting the Analogue and Solenoid Breakout Board to their respective CRio modules with male-to-female DB-25 ribbon cables should not cause problems and would allow you to place them in a more convenient location.

A large part of the function of those two boards is to serve as an adapter from the DB-25 connector on the CRio module to the 3-pin PWM cables. No signal processing occurs on either of the breakout boards so it makes no difference whether the signal is traveling through the PWM cable or your DB-25 ribbon cable. Just make sure your ribbon cables are only as long as they need to be and do not run adjacent to any power wiring for any significant distance. These caveats also apply to the PWM cables. The current rating of the ribbon cables is greater than the maximum output current rating of the Solenoid Module. You are not likely to want to use a very long ribbon cable so the series resistance will not have a significant effect.