Your expectations about the output signal of the Encoder Input block are correct. It is indeed supposed to output accumulated quadrature ticks. There is no configuration necessary, this is the only mode the block works in.
If you experience a different behavior, I would recommend to double-check the wiring. Namely, please make sure that the reset (index) pin of the data acquisition board is either properly connected to the encoder, or to a fixed logical signal that will disable its functionality (high or low). If this pin is left unconnected, it may be sensitive to crosstalk or noise and may reset the encoder at random times.
