Remote controller

High-bandwidth, low-latency fibre-optic remote controller
New controller provides up to 838 MB/s data bandwidth at up to 100 metres between host PC and distributed PXI Express chassis

National Instruments has introduced a high-bandwidth fibre-optic remote controller for PXI Express-based automated test, measurement and control systems. The new PXIe-PCIe8375 MXI-Express remote controller for PXI Express incorporates a x4 PCI Express link to provide a low-latency interface with sustained bandwidth of up to 838 MB/s to and from an NI rack-mount, Dell or Hewlett-Packard host PC for advanced performance in a variety of applications. The fibre-optic cable and controller interface of the new controller offer increased distance between the host PC and chassis, improved electrical isolation and greater cabling flexibility compared to a copper remote controller cable and interface. The NI PXIe-PCIe8375 can deliver high-bandwidth performance at distances of up to 100 meters compared to the 7-meter distance afforded by using a passive copper cable and remote controller interface.

The NI PXIe-PCIe8375 remote controller is ideal for many engineers and scientists designing distributed test, measurement and control systems that require high-bandwidth, low-latency data transfers to and from the host PC and PXI Express instrumentation. Such applications include high-channel-count data acquisition systems used for harsh environmental testing and control I/O or measurements in particle accelerators and large test and research facilities. Other use cases include applications such as signal intelligence and mixed-signal testing, which require high-data bandwidth for streaming high-frequency measurements back to the host PC with minimal electrical noise in the system. The 10-, 30- and 100-meter fibre-optic cable lengths of the NI PXIe-PCIe8375 provide a variety of options for engineers and scientists who require this additional electrical isolation in their systems, including protection against electrical shorts and differing ground potentials between the host PC and distributed instrumentation systems.

Additionally, the NI PXIe-PCIe8375 remote controller’s PCI Express configuration ensures software transparency and compatibility with no additional programming when upgrading PCI- and PXI-based MXI-3 and MXI-4 systems. The software transparency and compatibility apply to software applications and drivers as well as industry-standard desktop computers, servers and workstations. The new fibre-optic PXI Express remote controller also works seamlessly with NI software including the LabVIEW graphical system design environment, NI TestStand test management software, the LabWindows™/CVI ANSI C development system, SignalExpress interactive measurement software and new VeriStand real-time test configuration software.