Product Overview
The National Instruments PXIe-5114 is a digitizer and oscilloscope module for PXI Express systems. It provides two analog input channels with 8 bit resolution, a maximum sampling rate of 250 MS/s, and 125 MHz analog bandwidth. The module is designed for general purpose waveform capture, transient analysis, and automated oscilloscope measurement in PXI based test systems.
The PXIe-5114 is part of the NI digitizer and oscilloscope product family. It is used in electronic design validation, production test, power electronics measurement, and research applications. Because it is a PXI Express instrument, it shares the chassis backplane, triggering, and synchronization resources with other modules, which supports coordinated multi instrument test sequences.
Sampling Rate and Bandwidth
With 250 MS/s sampling and 125 MHz analog bandwidth, the module captures fast edges, transients, and repetitive waveforms within its specified range. Engineers should apply good probing practice, short ground returns, and appropriate termination to preserve signal fidelity at these frequencies. Input range selection and vertical scaling should be matched to the signal to use the available dynamic range effectively.
The 8 bit analog to digital conversion provides the vertical resolution typical of general purpose oscilloscopes. When the measurement requires finer amplitude detail, a higher resolution digitizer may be preferred. Engineers should verify the noise floor and effective number of bits for the specific input range and sampling configuration.
Two Synchronized Channels
The two channels sample together, which preserves the phase relationship between signals. This is useful in power measurement, where voltage and current channels must be compared precisely, and in two point signal integrity tests where relative timing carries meaning. Simultaneous acquisition removes the channel skew that sequential scanning would introduce.
Multiple modules can be synchronized through the PXI Express backplane to build systems with more than two channels. Shared sample clocks and trigger lines allow large arrays of channels to be captured coherently, which is valuable in multi point testing and complex electronic development.
Triggering and Memory
The module supports analog and digital triggering, allowing acquisition to start or stop on a specific event. Trigger configuration can be used to capture rare transients, isolate fault conditions, or align capture with an external stimulus. Trigger signals can also be routed between PXI Express modules so that a digitizer, signal generator, and switch operate in a defined sequence.
Onboard memory allows long records to be captured at high sample rates without immediate transfer to the host. Engineers can define record length based on the duration and resolution required by the measurement, then transfer data for analysis. This approach is useful for capturing startup sequences, fault events, and modulation patterns.
Software and Analysis
The PXIe-5114 is supported by NI driver software and can be programmed with LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measurement Studio, and other compatible development environments. Engineers can configure channels, ranges, sample clocks, and triggers, and then apply analysis such as filtering, spectral computation, and statistical measurement.
The module is commonly used with NI oscilloscope and signal analysis software for interactive viewing and automated test. Because the instrument is programmed rather than manually operated, tests can be repeated exactly and results can be logged automatically. This supports design validation and production test workflows that require consistent data collection.
Typical Applications
General purpose high speed waveform capture
Power supply ripple, transient, and stability testing
Electronic design validation and debug
Two channel signal integrity analysis
Power electronics and motor drive development
Automated oscilloscope testing in PXI Express systems
The PXIe-5114 provides two synchronized channels with 250 MS/s sampling and 125 MHz bandwidth in a PXI Express module. Its triggering and software support make it suitable for high speed waveform capture and automated oscilloscope applications.
