PC Control of PXI (MXI-4)
NEW
NI PXI-PCI8331, NI PCI-8331, NI PXI-8331
NI PXI-PCI8336, NI PCI-8336, NI PXI-8336
• Multichassis configurations for PXI and CompactPCI
• MXI-4 link performance
• 132 Mbytes/s peak
• 78 Mbytes/s sustained
• Fiber-optic or copper cabling
• Low cost with copper
• Electrical isolation and long-range with fiber-optic
• Rugged connectivity
• Error checking and retransmission
• Support for 5 V and 3.3 V PCI
Overview
Multichassis PXI Systems
The National Instruments PXI-PCI833x interface kits give PCs MXI-4 can be used to connect multiple PXI chassis in a star or
direct control of PXI systems using MXI-4 technology. You can daisy-chain configuration within a single system. To connect two
also use NI PXI-8331 and NI PXI-8336 modules for linking PXI chassis together with MXI-4, install a PXI-8331 (copper) or
multiple PXI chassis. MXI-4 is a high-bandwidth link that is PXI-8336 (fiber-optic) module into any peripheral slot of the
transparent to software applications and drivers, therefore master chassis. Connect with the appropriate cable to a second
providing the ability to use high performance desktop computers PXI-8331 or PXI-8336 in slot 1 of the slave chassis. For more
or servers to control PXI systems.
information on the possible star and daisy-chain topologies, please
see the MXI-4 User Manual.
Hardware
PC Control of PXI
MXI-4 Technology
With a MXI-4 link, you can transparently control a PXI system MXI-4 operates as a PCI-to-PCI bridge that achieves software and
from any PCI slot, so high-performance desktop computers or hardware transparency and high performance. MXI-4 builds on
servers can control PXI systems. Because PXI is based on the the standard PCI-to-PCI bridge architecture by splitting the bridge
industry-standard PCI bus, MXI-4 provides a transparent link into two halves connected by a 1.5 Gb/s serial link. Additionally,
where all PXI modules appear to the user as if they were PCI you can create multiple-chassis PXI systems using multiple MXI-4
boards within the computer itself. However, you benefit from the links. The PCI specification allows up to 255 buses to be connected
increased number of slots, power and cooling per slot, module in a system via PCI-PCI bridges such as MXI-4.
selection, and synchronization features provided by PXI.
MXI-4 is an evolution of MXI-3. MXI-4 improves on MXI-3 by
Additionally, with fiber-optic MXI-4 you can electrically isolate supporting both 3.3 V and 5 V PCI signaling environments, error
your PXI measurement hardware from the PC with extended checking and retransmission on the serial link for greater
length cabling up to 200 m.
reliability in electrically noisy or harsh environments, and
The MXI-4 link consists of a PCI-8331 (copper) or PCI-8336 industrially rugged connectors.
(fiber-optic) board in the PC, connected via the appropriate cable
to a PXI-8331 (copper) or PXI-8336 (fiber-optic) module in slot 1
of a PXI chassis. For convenience, you can purchase either a
complete MXI-4 kit with all necessary components, or purchase
the PCI board, PXI module, and cable separately.