National Instruments PCIe-8431/8 Serial Interface Device

The National Instruments PCIe 8431/8 (Part number: 780592-01) is an 8-Port, PCI Express based Serial Instrument Device. This model offers flexible nonstandard and standard baud rates between 57 baud/sec to 1 Mb/s with 0.01% accuracy for standard baud rates and 1% accuracy for nonstandard baud rates. It has a maximum baud rate of 3000 kbits/s. The NI PCIe 8431/8 can be used with different software infrastructures because it is fully compatible with both the LabVIEW real-time Operating System and Microsoft Windows. This model is a viable solution for a broad range of applications since it permits the user to choose between 4-wire transceiver mode and 2-wire transceiver mode. Thus, the user can configure this device to be used in either full-duplex or half-duplex communication mode.

The NI PCIe-8431/8 comes equipped with one 68-pin VHDCI I/O connector. 1 cable is also provided that interconnects the onboard 68-pin VHDCI port to 8 male DSUB-9 serial ports. The physical dimensions of the board are 4.38 × 6.9 inches, whereas it weighs around 90 g. Thus, the PCIe-8431/8 can easily be deployed in any standard PC. The user needs one unoccupied PCIe or PCI Express Slot. This Serial Interface Device requires no additional power from any external source since it draws current from the PCIe channel. In routine operating conditions, this device requires 200 mA at +3.3 VDC and 190 mA at +12 VDC. However, in some cases, this device may draw current up to its maximum, 750 mA and 220 mA, for the two different voltage power as mentioned above.

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, noncondensing operating and storage humidity ranges of 10 to 90% and 5 to 95% respectively. The PCIe-8431/8 can be used with a RS-485 and RS-232 cable of maximum cable lengths 30 m (limited by EMC/surge) and 2500 pF (TIA-EIA-232-F 2.1.4) respectively. The device is designed to comply with safety standards for electrical instruments; standards such as: IEC-60068-2-1 and IEC-60068-2-2.