National Instruments PCI-MXI-2 Plug-in Circuit Board

The NI PCI-MXI-2 (Part Number: 777185-01, 182685K-01) is part of the MXI-2 Series by National Instruments. This Circuit Board can be inserted into an expansion slot on the user’s PCI-based computer. The PCI-MXI-2 connects the user’s PCI-based computer straight to the MXIbus and the other way around. Since the PCI-MXI-2 utilizes an identical communication register set to other VXIbus message-based instruments, other MXIbus instruments see the PCI-MXI-2 as a VXIbus instrument. This Plug-in Circuit Board supports D64, block, and synchronous MXI cycles for high-performance information transfer, supports MXI bus termination, and conforms to both PCI specification 2.0 and MXIbus specification 2.0. The device has a programmable memory space of 32 kb minimum, with a data path of 32 bits.

The NI PCI-MXI-2 Plug-In Circuit Board has an onboard EEPROM, which saves default register values that load when the model powers on. The EEPROM has two sections: a factory-configuration section and a user-configuration section. The factory-configured part of the model saves a back-up of the default user settings, while the user-configured part can be altered. The factory configuration is a minimal configuration, which enables the user to boot the PCI-MXI-2 despite modifications to the user configuration. When changing settings, do not modify the settings of switches 3 and 4 of U17.

The PCI-MXI-2 operates using the NI-VXI/NI-VISA software, and is compatible with software packages like LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and Measurement Studio. The device can be configured using the Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) tool.

For the MXIbus, the foremost and final instruments in the daisy-chain must have a termination network. The PCI-MXI-2 Circuit Board can terminate the MXIbus signals on the interface board with terminating resistor networks in single inline packages. However, the foremost and final instruments in the daisy-chain are the instruments that should be terminated. The instrument has a weight of 0.4 lbs. with the board dimensions: 6.875 x 4.2 in.

The PCI-MXI-2 operates using the NI-VXI/NI-VISA bus interface software in conjunction with application development environments (ADEs) such as LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and Measurement Studio. The device software can be configured using the Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) tool.

PCI-MXI-2 Obsolete Status has been announced by National Instruments, but will still be available for purchase and repairs by Apex Waves.