Benefits of the Industry-Standard PXI Platform for Test & Measurement Applications

Modular instrumentation systems based on the open industry-standard PXI (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation) architecture deliver high-performance, PC-based measurement and automation systems at an affordable price. With PXI modular instrumentation, you automatically benefit from the low cost, ease of use, and flexibility of PC technology. PXI also delivers significant performance improvements over older architectures by combining the high-speed, industry-standard PCI bus with a modular, chassis-based architecture. PXI then adds timing and synchronization to provide a high level of integration among modules designed specifically for measurement and automation applications.


[+] Enlarge Image

History
PXI was introduced in 1997 as an open industry standard to meet the increasing demands of complex instrumentation systems. The PXI Systems Alliance (PXISA), a group of more than 68 companies providing more than 1,000 PXI products, governs the standard. PXISA was chartered to promote the PXI standard, ensure interoperability, and maintain the PXI specification. For more information on PXISA, visit pxisa.org.

PXI Features
The PC-based architecture and advanced synchronization features, which are the heart of PXI modular instrumentation, combine to deliver a high-performance architecture. With the large number of cutting-edge measurement modules available from National Instruments and the PXISA, you can use PXI to implement a variety of applications, from advanced data acquisition to automated manufacturing test.

• With more than 1,000 PXI products available in this growing market, you can find the measurement hardware you need
• With the PC-based architecture, you can incorporate the latest PC technologies, such as high-performance processors for analysis-intensive applications, as they become available
• You can take advantage of the PCI backplane’s 132 MB/s maximum throughput – more than 100 times greater than GPIB
• With advanced timing and synchronization features, you can achieve tighter integration among modules for higher overall measurement accuracy, as well as scalable synchronized high-channel-count systems
• You can handle up to 17 modules per system with the modular chassis architecture
• ·You can simplify your system integration with the familiar PC software model, which requires no learning curve

Greater System Reliability
PXI builds on the CompactPCI specification with enhancements for better integration and more reliable performance. CompactPCI specifies the use of the rugged, modular Eurocard architecture successfully used for years in industrial environments. In addition, IEEE standardized dimensions and mechanical components for this architecture have driven numerous vendors to supply mechanically interchangeable components. Modularity makes it easy to configure, reconfigure, and repair your PXI systems, which gives you a very low mean time to repair (MTTR). The PXI specification expands CompactPCI requirements to include documentation and testing requirements, which results in higher PXI system reliability. These requirements cover power, cooling, EMC, and environmental testing, so you can be sure that your PXI system performs properly for your application and configuration.

Lower System Costs
PXI delivers the high-precision instrumentation, synchronization, and timing features of more expensive platforms at an affordable price. The low cost of PC components is only the beginning of the savings you gain from using PXI. With PXI, you can use the same familiar technology in your office and on the production floor. The familiarity of the software eliminates training costs and the need to retrain personnel every time you implement a new system. Because the foundation of PXI is PC technology, you benefit from low component costs, familiar software, and system reuse.

See Also
PXI Tutorial
PXI Systems Alliance
PXI Brochure

26 ratings | 3.38 out of 5

Read in English Japanese | Print

Reader Comments | Submit a comment »