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The PXI platform, because it is based on the high-bandwidth PCI and PCI Express buses, enables instruments to stream data to and from RAID-0 (striped) hard drive arrays at high sustained rates. National Instruments RF record and playback systems combine PXI RF signal analyzers and RF signal generators with RAID-0 hard drive arrays for high-speed, long-duration recording and playback.
Table of Contents
The PXI Platform
National Instruments RF recording and playback systems are based on the open, industry-standard PXI platform. PXI provides the following benefits for RF recording and playback applications:
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PC-based platform leveraging low-cost commercial PC components
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High-bandwidth PCI and PCI Express buses
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Over 1,500 products available from the more than 70 PXI vendors
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Extensive breadth of I/O modules
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Compatibility with CompactPCI (cPCI) modules
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Rugged Eurocard form factor with a small system footprint
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Virtually unlimited channel expansion capabilities
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Tight multi-module and multi-chassis synchronization
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Internal and external clocking and triggering
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Synchronization with external systems and devices
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IRIG and GPS timestamping and synchronization
System Architecture
National Instruments RF recording and playback systems consist of a PXI Express chassis containing a 2.7 GHz, 20 MHz real-time bandwidth RF vector signal generator and a 2.7 GHz, 20 MHz real-time bandwidth RF vector signal analyzer. Then systems are controlled by an embedded controller with a multicore processor running Windows and a development environment such as National Instruments LabVIEW. The embedded controller interfaces to an external hard drive array via a Cabled PCI Express module. This module uses a x4 PCI Express link to connect to an external RAID array to offer sustainable streaming rates to and from the hard drive array at over 600 MB/s. The hard drive array supports multiple terabytes of storage capacity, which enables continuous streaming at full rate for hours.
This architecture enables a single channel to be streamed to or from the hard drive array at 20 MS/s that translates to 100 MB/s.
Onboard Signal Processing (OSP) Configuration
The OSP configuration RF recording and playback system features the National Instruments PXI-5661 RF Vector Signal Analyzer with Digital Downconverison and PXI-5671 RF Vector Signal Generator with Digital Upconverison, which include the following specifications.
PXI-5661 Specifications
- 9 kHz to 2.7 GHz
- 20 MHz real-time bandwidth
- High-stability timebase (10 MHz OCXO)
- >80 dB spurious-free dynamic range and +30 dBm full signal input range
- 14-bit resolution, 100 MS/s digitizer
- 16 or 256 MB of onboard memory
PXI-5671 Specifications
- 250 kHz to 2.7 GHz
- 20 MHz real-time bandwidth
- -148 10 +10 dBm output power
- 355 nHz resolution
- Quadrature digital upconversion
- 32, 256, or 512 MB of onboard memory
The complete base configuration system consists of the following components (part numbers and quantities included).
| Part Number | Description | Qty |
| 779782-03 | NI PXI-5661, 2.7 GHz VSA, 256 MB, w/Streaming/Analysis/Modulation | 1 |
| 779079-03 | NI PXI-5671, 2.7 GHz RF VSG, 256 MB, Onboard Signal Processing | 1 |
| 780031-01 | NI PXIe-8130 Turion 64 X2 2.3 GHz High BW Controller with Windows XP | 1 |
| 779730-01 | NI PXIe-1065, 18-Slot 3U PXIe/PXI Hybrid Chassis | 1 |
| 763000-01 | Power Cord, AC, U.S., 120 VAC | 1 |
| 780064-01 | NI 8262 x4 Cabled PCI Express Module for PXI Express | 1 |
| 780066-01 | NI HDD-8264 12-Drive, 3 TB, 2U, Cabled PCIe HDD Enclosure w/RAID | 1 |
| 779725-03 | x4 MXI-Express Cable, 3m | 1 |
Here is an image of the system (External RAID Storage NI HDD-8264 & Cabled PCI Express Cable not shown):
Options
The above system can also be configured using a PXI chassis instead of a PXI Express chassis. For such a system we would need to use third party products to provide the data storage capabilities. An example of such a configuration would consists the following components
| Part Number | Description | Qty |
| 779782-03 | NI PXI-5661, 2.7 GHz VSA, 256 MB, w/Streaming/Analysis/Modulation | 1 |
| 779079-03 | NI PXI-5671, 2.7 GHz RF VSG, 256 MB, Onboard Signal Processing | 1 |
| 779886-01 | NI PXI-8106 Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz Controller with Windows XP | 1 |
| 778636-01 | NI PXI-1042 8-Slot 3U Chassis with Universal AC Power Supply | 1 |
| 763000-01 | Power Cord, AC, U.S., 120 VAC | 1 |
| ADEXC34R5-2E | Addonics ExpressCard/34 2-Port eSATA with RAID-0 | 1 |
| AAESATA200C | Addonics eSATA - eSATA cable, 200 cm | 1 |
| ST5X1PM | Addonics Storage Tower with Integrated 5x1 Port Multiplier | 1 |
| AAHDMK53 | Addonics 5 1/4" drive bay mounting bracket for 3.5" hard drive | 4 |
| ST3250620AS | Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 3.0Gb/s 250-GB Hard Drive | 4 |
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