National Instruments VXI-MXI-2 VXIbus Extender

The NI VXI-MXI-2 (Part Number: 777178-01) is a C-size Mainframe Extender. This interface is specially designed for the VXIbus. The VXI-MXI-2 is used to extend the VXIbus architecture beyond a VXIbus mainframe. For communication and connectivity, the second generation MXIbus called MXI-2 is utilized. The combination of a VXI-MXI-2 and VXIbus mainframe can be connected to various other MXIbus enabled devices, such as MXIbus instruments, other VXIbus mainframes, or MXIbus-equipped PCs.

For transparent translation of bus cycles on VMEbus to and from the MXIbus, the National Instruments VXI-MXI-2 use address mapping. This interface comes housed in a metal enclosure. This arrangement assists in improving the overall EMI performance of the unit. The VXI-MXI-2 comes with an ability to reside and operate in any slot in a C or D-size VXIbus slot.

This Mainframe Extender coverts A24, A32, A16, D16, D08 (EO), and D64 bus cycles into MXIbus cycles. With this interface, the user can utilize multiple VXIbus mainframes as an integrated, single VXIbus system. The front panel of the NI VXI-MXI-2 comes equipped with three SMB connectors: Trigger output, Trigger input, and External clock I/O.

The main MXIbus connector is also provided on the front panel and is easily accessible. From the VXIbus perspective, the VXI-MXI-2 can be considered a communication interface to the outside world. When plugged into slot 0 of a VXI mainframe, the NI VXI-MXI-2 assumes the Slot 0 functions as defined in the VXIbus specifications. The user can utilize the NI Measurement Studio, NI LabVIEW, and many other applications programs with the NI VXI-MXI-2.