Product Overview
The National Instruments PCI-8516 is a two port CAN interface card for PCI systems. It supports high speed CAN and CAN FD communication for network test, monitoring, and simulation. The card is used in automotive, industrial, and embedded system applications where CAN remains a common network standard and where CAN FD is used for higher data throughput.
The PCI-8516 is part of the NI-XNET family of network interfaces and drivers. It installs in a standard PCI slot and provides two CAN ports in a single card. Engineers can use the card to send and receive frames, monitor bus traffic, and simulate network nodes as part of a test system.
CAN and CAN FD Communication
The card supports CAN FD, which extends the classic CAN protocol with a larger data payload and faster data phase. This is useful in modern automotive and industrial networks where higher data rates and larger messages are required. The two port design allows multiple networks to be connected at the same time or a single network to be accessed from two points.
Engineers should confirm the supported data rates and transceiver specifications for the specific card configuration. CAN FD networks require all nodes to support the extended format, so compatibility should be verified before deployment.
NI-XNET Software Architecture
NI-XNET provides a common programming interface for CAN and other vehicle network protocols. The PCI-8516 uses this architecture to deliver consistent behavior across different network hardware. Applications can be developed in LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measurement Studio, and other environments that support NI-XNET.
The NI-XNET API supports frame based and signal based communication. Frame based communication gives direct control over CAN frames, while signal based communication uses database definitions to read and write physical values. This flexibility allows the card to be used for low level protocol test as well as higher level system simulation.
PCI Integration and Wiring
The PCI-8516 installs in a compatible PCI slot in a desktop or industrial computer. It connects to the CAN network through compatible cables and connectors. Proper wiring practice is important in vehicle and industrial environments: use twisted pair cable, provide correct termination, and separate network wiring from high current power conductors.
Ground potential differences between the computer and the vehicle or machine can affect communication. Engineers should review the grounding arrangement and use isolated transceivers or interface hardware where necessary. Cable length and stub length should be kept within the limits of the CAN physical layer for the selected data rate.
Test and Monitoring Use
In development and validation, the card can monitor bus traffic while other nodes operate, log frames for later analysis, and simulate missing or faulty nodes. This is useful in automotive electronic control unit test, where network behavior must be observed under realistic conditions. Scripted sequences improve repeatability and reduce manual effort.
Engineers should define the test cases, expected network behavior, and pass or fail criteria before starting a test campaign. Logging of timestamps, frames, and errors helps diagnose intermittent problems. Documentation of the network configuration and database version supports traceability.
Typical Applications
CAN and CAN FD network monitoring and logging
Automotive electronic control unit test
Embedded network simulation and validation
Industrial CAN communication test
Bench top development with NI-XNET software
Multi network test using two CAN ports
The PCI-8516 provides two CAN and CAN FD ports in a PCI interface card with NI-XNET software support. Its dual port design and database integration make it suitable for automotive, industrial, and embedded network test applications.
