National Instruments PXI-8361 PXI Remote Controller

The National Instruments PXI-8361 is a multi-system extension interface for PXI bus computers. This module requires one PXI controller slot and is compatible with the PXI Hardware Specification Rev 2.1. The PXI-8361 is a product from the MXI-Express x1 Series, which functions as a cable-based PCI Express x1 link that allows the controlling of components installed in a PXI chassis by using laptops, workstations, desktop computers, or any other host controllers.

With the help of this model, the user can control a PXI backplane and achieve physical separation between the automation and measurement system from a host laptop or PC. In addition, the NI PXI-8361 is used for combining different PXI devices into the same system. This is built on PCI Express technology and comes incorporated with a PCIe-to-PCI bridge- a device that expands the PCI bus on a computer motherboard transparently to another bus segment.

The NI PXI-8361 offers an x1 cabled PCI Express link between the host machine and the PXI chassis. This link provides a dual-simplex communication channel consisting of a low-voltage and gives a differentially driven signal pair. In addition, it can transmit data at a rate of 2.5 Gigabits per second, simultaneously in each direction. As far as its physical characteristics are concerned, the NI PXI-8361 weighs around 0.14 kg and is 10.0 × 16.0 cm.

This module supports the MXI-Express x1 Copper cable up to the maximum length of 7 meters. If the user has multiple PCI or PCI express slots available, then they can also consider a daisy-chain arrangement for connecting another PXI chassis by using an additional NI PXI-8361.

PXI-8361 Obsolete Status has been announced by National Instruments, but the module will still be available for purchase and repairs by Apex Waves.