National Instruments PCIe-8431/2 Serial Interface Device

The National Instruments NI PCIe 8431/2 (Part number: 782124-01) is a 2-Port, RS422/RS482 compatible Serial Interface. This model allows the user to choose from 2-wire or 4-wire transceiver modes for either half-duplex or full-duplex communications. The PCIe-8431-2 is better than its competitors as it offers high-speed DMA transfers. The DMA technology assists in smart usage of resources and helps in the minimization of CPU overhead. Moreover, this model comes with 128 B size FIFOs for transmission and reception of information.

The National Instruments PCIe-8431/2 can be considered in applications where flexible baud rates are required since it can provide the user with nonstandard and standard baud rates from 2 baud to 3000 kbaud. For easy programming, each unit is offered with free NI-VISA API and NI-Serial drivers. With these software resources, the user can get their system deployed and configured in no time. Additional information on configuration of the hardware and software, programming requirements, and troubleshooting problems can be found on the NI-Serial for Windows CD.

This Serial Interface Device comes equipped with a male DB-9 connector for RS-422/RS-485 devices, abd a 68-pin VHDCI I/O connector. This device is designed in such a way that the user can have it deployed inside a PC chassis easily. This PCI Express based card fulfills its power requirement from a PCIe channel. In normal operating conditions, this model draws 325 mA of current at +5 VDC.

This model is more useful than its counterparts because it also appears as a COM port on the user’s host machine. Thus, it can be used for various programs that support serial communications. In fact, this feature of the PCIe-8431/2 brings endless functionalities for the user.

The NI device weighs 0.20 lb, and measures 4.38 x 6.9 in. in physical dimensions. It has recommended operating and storage temperature ranges of 0 to 55 °C and –20 to 70 °C respectively, non-condensing operating and storage humidity ranges of 10 to 90% RH and 5 to 95% RH respectively. The PCIe-8431/2 is designed to comply with the following electrical safety standards: IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1, UL 61010-1, CSA 61010-1.