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TM
MXI
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
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Support Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information ni.com National Instruments Corporate Headquarters 11500 North Mopac Expressway Austin, Texas 78759-3504 USA Tel: 512 683 0100 Worldwide Offices Australia 1800 300 800, Austria 43 662 457990-0, Belgium 32 (0) 2 757 0020, Brazil 55 11 3262 3599, Canada 800 433 3488, China 86 21 5050 9800, Czech Republic 420 224 235 774, Denmark 45 45 76 26 00, Finland 358 (0) 9 725 72511, France 01 57 66 24 24, Germany 49 89 7413130, India 91 80 411900
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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. The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programm
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Contents About This Manual Conventions ...................................................................................................................vii Related Documentation..................................................................................................viii Chapter 1 Introduction About the MXI-Express Series ......................................................................................1-1 Description and Features ...................................................
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Contents Appendix A Specifications Appendix B Common Questions Appendix C Technical Support and Professional Services Glossary Index MXI-Express Series User Manual vi ni.com
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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 dial
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About This Manual Related Documentation The following documents contain information that you might find helpful as you read this 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 R3.0 specification � PCI Express Specification, Revision 1.0a MXI-Express Series User M
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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. With MXI
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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.com
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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. The sta
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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 Note Your PXI MXI-Express card will work in any standard CompactPCI chassis adhering to the PICMG CompactPCI 2.0 R3.0 specification, or in PXI chassis that are compatible wi
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2 Hardware Installation 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. Note 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. Insta
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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. Slowly push down on the top of the NI PCIe-836x until its card-edge connec
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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). Caution To protect both your
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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 PXI/Compact PCI Chassis 3 Ejector Handle in Down Position 2 NI PXI-8360 4 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. Caution Do not remove the cabl
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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. This assumptio
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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. The PCI Express-to-PCI bridge architecture is transparent to device drivers, so no additional software is needed t
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Chapter 3 Hardware Overview NI PCIe-8362 PXI-8360 Cabled PCI Express Connector PCI Express Switch Cabled Cabled PCI Express PCI Express PCI Express to PCI Bridge Connector Connector 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. NI PCIe-8361 PXI-8360 PCI Cabled Cabled PCI E
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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. On the NI PCIe-8362, the upstream port of the switch is connected to
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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 Meaning PWR Off No power Red Power is out of spec Green Power is within spec LINK Off Link not established Green Link established MXI-Express Cable Options MXI-Express is available with cables of various lengt
