Use single updates if the signal level is more important than the generation rate. For example, generate one sample at a time if you need to generate a constant, or DC, signal. You can use software timing to control when the device generates a signal.

This operation does not require any buffering or hardware timing. For example, if you need to generate a known voltage to stimulate a device, a single update would be an appropriate task.

One way to generate multiple samples for one or more channels is to generate single samples in a repetitive manner. However, generating a single data sample on one or more channels over and over is inefficient and time consuming. Moreover, you do not have accurate control over the time between each sample or channel. Instead, you can use hardware timing, which uses a buffer in computer memory to generate samples more efficiently.

You can use software timing or hardware timing to control when a signal is generated. With software timing, the rate at which the samples are generated is determined by the software and operating system instead of by the measurement device. With hardware timing, a TTL signal, such as a clock on the device, controls the rate of generation. A hardware clock can run much faster than a software loop. A hardware clock is also more accurate than a software loop.

Programmatically, you need to include the timing function, specifying the sample rate and the sample mode (finite). As with other functions, you can generate multiple samples for a single channel or multiple channels.

Use Generate nn Samples if you want to generate a finite time-varying signal, such as an AC sine wave.

Continuous generation is similar to Generate nn Samples, except that an event must occur to stop the generation. If you want to continuously generate signals, such as generating a non-finite AC sine wave, set the timing mode to continuous.