AUSTIN, TX – National Instruments announced record second-quarter revenue of $253 million, up 20% compared to the same quarter in 2010.

Net income was $26.5 million, up 7.7% year-over-year. 

During the period, the company's orders greater than $20,000 grew 39% year-over-year.

Graphical system design product sales were up 21%, and instrument control product sales were up 6% year-over-year.

NI expects third-quarter revenue between $257 million and $273 million, up 17% to 24% over the third quarter of 2010.

SAN JOSE -- Dark silicon refers to the underutilized transistors on a microprocessor. And those transistors are deliberately shut down during certain operations in order to contain the heat buildup that otherwise might fry the entire chip.