What is PXI
I. Definition of PXI
PXI (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation) is a robust PC-based measurement and automation platform released by NI. PXI combines PCI (Peripheral Component) The electrical bus characteristics of Interconnection (Interconnection of Peripheral Components), together with the robustness, modularity of CompactPCI (CompactPCI) and the characteristics of the Eurocard mechanical package, have evolved into mechanical, electrical and software specifications suitable for test, measurement and data acquisition applications.
To put it simply, PXI is an architecture based on PCI and CompactPCI, plus some PXI-specific signals. PXI inherits PCI’s electrical signals, making PXI have a very high data transmission capability like PCI bus, so it can have a transmission performance of up to 132MB/s to 528MB/s, and is fully compatible in software. On the other hand, the PXI uses the same mechanical structure as the CompactPCI, so it can enjoy the same high density, strong housing and high performance connector characteristics.
NI announces the industry’s first 18-slot high-speed PXIe desktop case, the PXIE-1085
Thick Matter Technology releases the industry’s first 3U 6-slot PXIe notebook HW-1363
Ii. Composition of PXI system
A PXI System consists of several components, including a chassis, a PXI Backplane, a System Controller Module, and Peripheral Modules. Here, take the Thick matter Technology HW-2373, a 3U 7-slot PXI notebook as an example, as shown in the following figure. The system controller, that is, the CPU module, is located in the first slot at the bottom of the left side of the chassis. The space above the slot is reserved for the system controller to insert the system controller that is larger due to its complex functions. From slot 2 to slot 7, called peripheral slots, users can plug in different PXI instrument modules according to project requirements. If you need to learn more about the PXIe Notebook, you can visit the official website of HW-1363 or HW-1663 product solutions.
Controller slot
Third, PXI signal
10MHz reference clock (10MHz reference clock)
The PXI specification defines a 10MHz reference clock with Low Skew. The reference Clock is located on the backplane and distributed to each Peripheral Slot. Its feature is that the wiring length from the Clock Source to each slot is the same length, so the clock accepted by each peripheral slot is the same phase. This is a convenient clock source for synchronizing multiple instrument modules.
Local Bus (Local Bus)
On each peripheral slot, PXI defines the local bus and connects its adjacent left and right peripheral slots. There are 13 local buses on the left or right side, which can transmit analog signals in addition to digital signals.
Star Trigger
In general, the local bus to the left of the peripheral slot 2 is regarded as another special signal under the definition of PXI, called the star trigger. The 13 star trigger wires are connected in sequence to another 13 peripheral slots (if the backplane supports another 13 peripheral slots), and the length of each other’s wires is equal. In other words, if the trigger signal is sent at the same time in the 13 star trigger lines on the No. 2 peripheral slot, the other instrument modules will receive the trigger signal at the same time (because the delay time of each trigger signal is the same). Also because this special Trigger function is only available on peripheral Slot 2, peripheral slot 2 is defined as the Star Trigger Controller Slot.
Fourth, the application of PXI
As a standard modular instrument platform, PXI has been widely used in semiconductor testing, military electronics testing, consumer electronics testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing, RF and communication testing, audio and video testing. In order to solve the problems in the field application of PXI measurement and control system in special industries, such as reinforcement, portability, vibration resistance, impact resistance and other special requirements, thick matter technology research and development team has developed a series of PXI portable measurement and control platform, with rich experience in test and control and customization for PXI measurement and control system field application escort.
This series of PXIe/PXI portable measurement and control platform, which has been continuously developed and launched by Houwu Technology, has beautiful appearance design, unique structural design, strict quality assurance and strong professionalism. The product features are as follows:
Built-in PXIe/PXI controller
Super endurance lithium smart battery
Compatible with PXIe/PXI modules such as data acquisition, modular instruments, aviation bus, FPGA, etc
Optional 10 to 18.5 inch industrial display
2 to 18 slot PXIe/PXI backplanes are available
Optional all-in-one, notebook and laptop
All aluminum magnesium alloy compact integrated design
Suitable for field testing
Provide ODM customization services such as shape, structure, color and screen printing