MXI TM MXI-Express Series User Manual MXI-Express Multisystem eXtension Interface for PCI Express, Compact PCI, and PXI Bus Computers NI PCIe-836x NI PXI-8360 MXI-Express Series User Manual March 2008 371452C-01
Support Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information ni.
Important Information Warranty The NI PCIe-836x and NI PXI-8360 is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment that proves to be defective during the warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.
Contents About This Manual Conventions ...................................................................................................................vii Related Documentation..................................................................................................viii Chapter 1 Introduction About the MXI-Express Series ......................................................................................1-1 Description and Features ..............................................................
Contents Appendix A Specifications Appendix B Common Questions Appendix C Technical Support and Professional Services Glossary Index MXI-Express Series User Manual vi ni.
About This Manual This manual describes the features, functions, and operation of the MXI-Express series of products. The products in this series are the NI PCIe-8361, NI PCIe-8362, and NI PXI-8360. Conventions The following conventions appear in this manual: » The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options from the last dialog box.
About This Manual Related Documentation The following documents contain information that you might find helpful as you read this manual: MXI-Express Series User Manual • Set Up Your MXI-Express System • Your computer or chassis documentation • PXI Hardware Specification, Revision 2.1 • PXI Software Specification, Revision 2.1 • PCI Specification, Revision 2.3 • PCI-PCI Bridge Architecture Specification, Revision 1.1 • PICMG CompactPCI 2.0 R3.
1 Introduction This chapter describes the MXI-Express series of products, lists what you need to get started, and explains how to unpack and set up your hardware. The products in this series are the NI PCIe-836x and NI PXI-8360. For the remainder of this manual the term MXI-Express card refers to any product in the MXI-Express series. About the MXI-Express Series Description and Features MXI-Express functions as a cabled PCI Express link of up to 7 m and a PCI Express-to-PCI bridge.
Chapter 1 Introduction Basic MXI-Express System The simplest MXI-Express system consists of an NI PCIe-836x in a PC connected to an NI PXI-8360 in the controller slot of a PXI/CompactPCI chassis, as shown in Figure 1-1. PC to PXI/CompactPCI Figure 1-1. Basic MXI-Express Configuration MXI-Express Series User Manual 1-2 ni.
Chapter 1 Introduction Larger MXI-Express Systems Each NI PCIe-8362 has two MXI-Express connectors. One NI PCIe-8362 may be connected to two different NwI PXI-8360 cards in separate PXI/CompactPCI chassis. If multiple PCI Express slots are available in the host PC, additional PXI chassis can be connected by installing an NI PCIe-836x in any available PCI Express slot. Figure 1-2 shows how you can use MXI-Express cards to connect multiple expansion chassis to a PC in a star topology.
Chapter 1 Introduction What You Need to Get Started To set up and use your MXI-Express cards, you need the following: ❑ One NI PCIe-836x and one NI PXI-8360 ❑ A MXI-Express cable ❑ A host PC with an available x1 (or wider) PCI Express slot ❑ An expansion chassis—the PXI/CompactPCI chassis that you control with MXI-Express Your PXI MXI-Express card will work in any standard CompactPCI chassis adhering to the PICMG CompactPCI 2.0 R3.
Hardware Installation 2 This chapter explains how to install the MXI-Express hardware. Hardware Installation The following are general instructions for installing the MXI-Express cards. Consult your computer user manual or technical reference manual for specific instructions and warnings. The software for your MXI-Express kit is included with the current NI driver CD, and is installed with the PXI platform software included as part of NI-VISA and other NI driver software products.
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation 4. Locate the metal bracket that covers the cut-out in the back panel of the computer for the slot you have selected. Remove and save the bracket-retaining screw and the bracket cover. 5. Touch the metal part of the power supply case inside the computer to discharge any static electricity that might be on your clothes or body. 6. Line up the NI PCIe-836x with the slot on the back panel.
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation Installing an NI PXI-8360 Complete the following steps to install the NI PXI-8360 in your PXI or CompactPCI chassis. 1. Power off your PXI or CompactPCI chassis, but leave it plugged in while installing the NI PXI-8360. The power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage while you install the module. 2. Select a slot for the NI PXI-8360. The NI PXI-8360 must be installed in the controller slot (slot 1 in PXI).
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation Figure 2-2 shows an NI PXI-8360 just before installation in the system controller slot of a National Instruments chassis. 1 2 4 3 1 2 PXI/Compact PCI Chassis NI PXI-8360 3 4 Ejector Handle in Down Position PXI/Compact PCI Slot 1 Figure 2-2. NI PXI-8360 Card Before Installation Cabling 1. Connect the appropriate MXI-Express cable to both MXI-Express cards. The cables have no polarity, so either end may be connected to either card.
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation Powering Up the MXI-Express System 1. Power on all of the expansion chassis in any order you choose. 2. Power on the host. Typical PCI-PCI bridges are used to add PCI devices to a PCI hierarchy in which all the bridges and devices are contained within a single chassis. Because of this, BIOSes and operating systems make the assumption that all PCI devices in the entire hierarchy will be available as soon as code execution begins at power-up time.
3 Hardware Overview This chapter presents an overview of MXI-Express hardware functionality and explains the operation of each functional unit. Functional Overview MXI-Express is based on PCI Express technology. A MXI-Express kit uses a PCI Express switch and PCI Express-to-PCI bridge to enable control of a PXI or CompactPCI chassis from a PC with an available PCI Express slot.
Hardware Overview PCI EXPRESS NI PCIe-8362 PCI Express Switch PXI-8360 Cabled PCI Express Connector Cabled PCI Express Connector Cabled PCI Express Connector PCI Express to PCI Bridge PXI BUS Chapter 3 Figure 3-1. MXI-Express Block Diagram with NI PCIe-8362 Figure 3-2 shows the architecture for the NI PCIe-8361 and MXI-Express. The NI PCIe-8361 consists of a PCI Express repeater and cabled PCI Express connector. The PXI-8360 architecture is the same as in Figure 3-1.
Chapter 3 Hardware Overview Functional Unit Descriptions PCI Express x1 Card Edge Connector The card edge connector allows you to use the NI PCIe-836x in a x1 or wider PCI Express slot in a PC. The PCI Express Card Electromechanical Specification defines this connector. PCI Express x1 Switch The PCI Express Base Specification defines a PCI Express switch as a logical collection of PCI Express-to-PCI Express bridge devices.
Chapter 3 Hardware Overview The LEDs on the NI PCIe-8362 indicate the following: Color Meaning Off Power is off Red Power is out of spec Amber Power is within spec; no link to chassis Green Power is within spec; link established The LEDs on the NI PXI-8360 indicate the following: LED Color PWR Off No power Red Power is out of spec Green Power is within spec Off Link not established LINK Green Meaning Link established MXI-Express Cable Options MXI-Express is available with cables o
A Specifications This appendix lists the system specifications for the NI PCIe-836x and NI PXI-8360 cards. These specifications are typical at 25 °C, unless otherwise stated. Physical Dimensions NI PXI-8360 ................................... 10.0 × 16.0 cm (3.9 × 6.3 in.) NI PCIe-8361 .................................. 6.7 × 7.1 cm (2.6 × 2.8 in.) NI PCIe-8362 .................................. 10.7 × 17.5 cm (4.4 × 6.9 in.) Maximum cable length...........................
Appendix A Specifications Power requirements NI PXI-8360 Power Rail Typical Current Maximum Current +3.3 V 1.500 A 1.750 A +5 V 5 mA 20 mA +12 V 5 mA 20 mA –12 V 0 mA 0 mA Power Rail Typical Current Maximum Current +3.3 V 200 mA 400 mA +3.3 V Aux 10 mA 50 mA +12 V 0A 0A Power Rail Typical Current Maximum Current +3.3 V 1.800 A 2.000 A +3.3 V Aux 0A 0A +12 V 0A 0A NI PCIe-8361 NI PCIe-8362 Environment NI PXI-8360 Maximum altitude...................................
Appendix A Specifications Operating relative humidity ................... 10 to 90%, noncondensing (tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-56) Storage Environment Ambient temperature range.................... –20 to 70 °C (tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-1 and IEC-60068-2-2) Storage relative humidity ....................... 5 to 95%, noncondensing (tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-56) Shock and Vibration Operational shock ..................................
Appendix A Specifications Operating relative humidity....................10 to 90%, noncondensing (tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-56) Storage Environment Ambient temperature range ....................–20 to 70 °C (tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-1 and IEC-60068-2-2) Storage relative humidity........................5 to 95%, noncondensing (tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-56) Clean the NI PXI-8360 and NI PCIe-836x with a soft nonmetallic brush.
Appendix A Specifications CE Compliance This product meets the essential requirements of applicable European Directives, as amended for CE marking, as follows: • 2006/95/EC; Low-Voltage Directive (safety) • 2004/108/EC; Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC) Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional regulatory compliance information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit ni.
B Common Questions This appendix lists common questions related to the use of the MXI-Express controllers. General Hardware What are the board names of the MXI-Express remote controllers? • NI PCIe-836x: PCI Express MXI-Express board • NI PXI-8360: PXI MXI-Express module How many PXI bus segments can I connect together with MXI-Express? The PCI specification allows up to 255 bus segments.
Appendix B Common Questions General Software Under which operating systems will MXI-Express work? MXI-Express is a PCI Express-to-PCI bridge that is recognized by the majority of operating systems. It should automatically work with most systems like Windows, Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Solaris, but only Windows XP has been verified in the initial release of MXI-Express.
Appendix B Common Questions If the MXI-Express software is not installed, the PCI-to-PCI function will still be detected and work correctly, but the MXI-Express configuration device will be detected as an unknown device. MXI-3 and MXI-4 to MXI-Express Upgrade Questions What are some of the improvements from MXI-3 and MXI-4 to MXI-Express? MXI-Express incorporates the latest technology to include: • Support for PCI Express slots. • Improved error correction and handling for noisy or harsh environments.
Appendix B Common Questions controller. Now with MXI-Express, multiple chassis are connected in parallel and can be powered on in any order, except that you need to ensure that the last component powered on is the host PC. For more details, refer to the Powering Up the MXI-Express System section of Chapter 2, Hardware Installation. MXI-Express Series User Manual B-4 ni.
Technical Support and Professional Services C Visit the following sections of the award-winning National Instruments Web site at ni.com for technical support and professional services: • Support—Technical support resources at ni.com/support include the following: – Self-Help Technical Resources—For answers and solutions, visit ni.
Appendix C Technical Support and Professional Services • Declaration of Conformity (DoC)—A DoC is our claim of compliance with the Council of the European Communities using the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. This system affords the user protection for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and product safety. You can obtain the DoC for your product by visiting ni.com/certification.
Glossary Symbol Prefix Value n nano 10 –9 μ micro 10 – 6 m milli 10 –3 k kilo 10 3 M mega 10 6 Symbols ° Degrees ≥ Equal or greater than ≤ Equal or less than % Percent B bus The group of conductors that interconnect individual circuitry in a computer. Typically, a bus is the expansion vehicle to which I/O or other devices are connected. Examples of PC buses are the AT bus, NuBus, Micro Channel, and EISA bus.
Glossary D device A plug-in instrument card or pad that can contain multiple channels and conversion devices. Plug-in boards and PCMCIA cards, which connect to your computer parallel port, are examples of devices. digital trigger A TTL level signal having two discrete levels—a high and a low level. DMA Direct Memory Access—A method by which data can be transferred to/from computer memory from/to a device or memory on the bus while the processor does something else.
Glossary X x1 A link or port with one physical lane.
Index A documentation conventions used in manual, vii NI resources, C-1 related documentation, viii drivers (NI resources), C-1 additional MXI-Express configuration (figure), 1-3 B basic MXI-Express configuration (figure), 1-2 basic MXI-Express system, 1-2 block diagram with NI PCIe-8361 (figure), 3-2 with NI PCIe-8362 (figure), 3-2 E electromagnetic compatibility specifications, A-4 environmental management specifications, A-5 environmental specifications, A-2 NI PCIe-836x, A-3 NI PXI-8360, A-2 example
Index NI PXI-8360 installation, 2-3 figure, 2-4 NI support and services, C-1 powering down the MXI-Express system, 2-5 powering up the MXI-Express system, 2-5 instrument drivers (NI resources), C-1 O K larger MXI-Express systems, 1-3 LED indicators, 3-3 operating environment specifications NI PCIe-836x, A-3 NI PXI-8360, A-2 overview functional, 3-1 functional unit descriptions, 3-3 hardware, 3-1 M P MXI-3 to MXI-Express common questions, B-3 MXI-Express basic system, 1-2 block diagram with NI PCIe-
Index T specifications, A-1 CE compliance, A-5 electromagnetic compatibility, A-4 environmental, A-2 NI PCIe-836x, A-3 NI PXI-8360, A-2 environmental management, A-5 physical, A-1 safety, A-4 waste electrical and electronic equipment, A-5 storage environment specifications NI PCIe-836x, A-4 NI PXI-8360, A-3 © National Instruments Corporation technical support, C-1 training and certification (NI resources), C-1 troubleshooting (NI resources), C-1 U unpacking, 1-4 W waste electrical and electronic speci
