NI VXIpc-871B Controller



NI VXIpc-871B Controller

Core Basic Information

1.1 Manufacturer and Product Positioning

The manufacturer is National Instruments (NI) and the product belongs to VXIpc ™  The 870B series is positioned as an embedded high-performance VXI bus controller, designed specifically for industrial grade testing systems that require stable control of VXI registers, memory, interrupts, and trigger signals. It is compatible with various software tools for general-purpose desktop PCs and enables flexible system expansion. At present, the product has been announced as discontinued by NI (Obsolvete Status), but it is still possible to purchase new or refurbished products and provide repair services through third-party suppliers such as Apex Waves and ArtisanTG.

1.2 Core Configuration and Model Differentiation

The core processor adopts a 1.26GHz (some versions are labeled as 1.266GHz) Pentium III processor, paired with an Intel 815E chipset, to build a stable and efficient computing core; Support 16MB~512MB memory expansion, with optional 2GB~20GB hard disk capacity to meet the storage and processing needs of test data of different scales; The standard configuration includes a 24x speed CD-ROM drive for driver installation and system startup.

The product is divided into 4 models according to the pre installed operating system, with the same core hardware parameters and only different system configurations. The specific models and corresponding configurations are as follows:

-778295-00: No pre installed operating system, suitable for user-defined embedded systems or special Linux environment deployment;

-778295-01: Pre installed Windows 2000 operating system, compatible with traditional industrial control software;

-778295-02: Pre installed Windows NT 4.0 operating system, compatible with early professional testing software;

-778295-03: Pre installed Windows XP operating system, balancing compatibility and user operating habits.

In addition, this product has clear functional differences from VXIpc-872B and VXIpc-873B in the same series: the core advantage of 871B is the built-in CD-ROM drive; Add one AT/PCI expansion slot to 872B; The 873B is equipped with a built-in non removable flash drive (or removable flash drive) and one AT/PCI expansion slot, and users can choose the corresponding model according to their expansion needs.

Hardware structure and interface configuration

2.1 Chassis adaptation and installation specifications

Designed according to the C-size VXI standard, it occupies 2 system slots (2-slot C-size VXI Controller) and can be directly installed in a chassis that complies with VXI specifications. It is fully compatible with VXI Slot 0 control requirements and can achieve bus master control function without the need for additional adapter modules. During installation, it is necessary to ensure that the chassis provides reliable protective grounding to avoid electromagnetic interference and voltage hazards.

2.2 Full parsing of external interfaces

Equipped with rich external interfaces, covering all scenario requirements such as data transmission, peripheral connection, display output, etc. The specific interface types and functions are as follows:

-PS/2 interface: 2 independent interfaces, respectively used to connect PS/2 standard keyboard and mouse, ensuring the stability of system operation;

-Serial Interface (RS-232): A standard DB9 interface used to connect traditional serial devices such as modems and serial printers, supporting low-speed data communication for industrial equipment;

-PCMCIA interface: Supports PCMCIA standard expansion cards, which can expand wireless communication, storage and other functions, enhancing system flexibility;

-USB interface: compatible with USB 1.1 standard, used to connect USB flash drives, USB printers and other peripherals to achieve high-speed data transfer and peripheral expansion;

-Ethernet interface (RJ45): support TCP/IP protocol, can access LAN or Internet, and realize remote control, data upload and equipment networking management;

-Display interface: VGA standard interface, supporting connection to CRT or LCD displays, used for system status display and operation interface output;

-SCSI interface: Supports SCSI-2 standard and can connect to high-speed storage devices such as SCSI hard drives and tape drives, meeting the fast storage needs of large capacity test data;

-GPIB interface (IEEE 488.2): a standard GPIB connector used to connect instruments and equipment such as oscilloscopes and signal generators, enabling collaborative testing and control of multiple instruments;

-Parallel Port (LPT): Used to connect parallel printers, data acquisition modules, and other devices, supporting industrial grade parallel data transmission;

-Speaker interface: used for system alarm prompts, audio feedback, and to enhance operational safety.

2.3 Trigger and Timing Module

Built in high-performance trigger and timing circuits are the core components that ensure the synchronization of the testing system: the front panel is equipped with 2 SMB trigger I/O connectors, which can achieve efficient routing of TTL trigger lines between the VXI backplane and external devices, supporting input/output and forwarding of trigger signals; Internally integrated high-precision counters can achieve event counting, interrupt management, and pulse generation functions, with a counting accuracy of microseconds. They can accurately synchronize multiple module testing processes, ensuring the timeliness and consistency of test data. At the same time, it fully supports all VXI defined protocols, including P2 TTL and ECL trigger lines, and can seamlessly adapt to various VXI bus devices.

Performance characteristics and reliability assurance

3.1 VXI bus compatibility

As a VXI bus master control device, it has comprehensive VXI bus control capabilities: it can directly access and control the registers and memory space of VXI devices, accurately manage interrupt requests and trigger signals, and support the full range of bus specifications such as VXI-1 and VXI-2; By using the NI-VXI/NI-VISA driver software to achieve plug and play functionality, VXI devices on the bus can be automatically identified and configured, greatly simplifying the system setup process.

3.2 Industrial grade reliability parameters

Adopting a reinforced design with excellent environmental adaptability and long-term stability, the core reliability indicators are as follows:

-Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): up to 88704 hours, calculated based on 24-hour continuous operation per year, it can work stably for more than 10 years, meeting the long-term operational needs of industrial grade;

-Real time clock: Built in real-time clock module, powered by replaceable sealed lithium batteries, can maintain accurate timing even in the event of system power failure, while backing up CMOS configuration parameters to ensure that there is no need to reconfigure after system restart;

-Working temperature range: 5 ° C to 50 ° C, adaptable to temperature fluctuations in industrial sites;

-Storage temperature range: -20 ° C to 70 ° C, convenient for transportation and long-term storage;

-Anti interference capability: Equipped with EMI (electromagnetic interference) protection design, it can work stably in industrial electromagnetic environments and avoid testing errors caused by signal interference.

Software compatibility and driver support

4.1 Core driver software

The NI-VXI/NI-VISA driver software suite is standard equipment, which is the core of realizing the collaborative work between the controller, VXI devices, and PC software. NI-VXI provides a low-level VXI bus interface library, supports C language function calls, interactive configuration tools, and can directly operate various resources of VXI bus; NI-VISA provides a unified virtual instrument software architecture that shields the underlying differences of different interface devices, allowing developers to control multiple interface devices such as GPIB, VXI, USB, etc. through a unified API, greatly improving development efficiency. In addition, it also supports driver installation in Linux environment and adapts to special embedded system requirements.

4.2 Compatible software ecosystem

Compatible with various mainstream testing and development software, covering scenarios such as graphical programming, text programming, and professional testing tools, including:

-Graphic programming software: LabVIEW, which can quickly build testing processes by dragging and dropping modules, without the need for complex code;

-Professional testing and development software: Measurement Studio, LabWindows/CVI, providing rich testing controls and data analysis tools;

-Text programming languages: Microsoft Visual C++, Microsoft Visual Basic, supporting developers to develop custom features through underlying APIs;

-Bus interface software: NI-488.2, used to optimize the control efficiency and compatibility of GPIB interface devices.

Physical characteristics and specification parameters

The core physical parameters are as follows (accurately adapted to VXI chassis installation and industrial field deployment requirements):

-Size: 9.187 inches x 13.386 inches x 2.4 inches (approximately 233.35mm x 340mm x 61mm), in compliance with the C-size VXI equipment standard;

-Weight: 5.32 pounds (approximately 2.41kg), lightweight design facilitates chassis integration;

-Power supply requirements: Adapt to VXI chassis standard power supply, support wide voltage input, specific parameters need to match the chassis power supply specifications;

-Protection level: Equipped with basic dust-proof design, it needs to be used in conjunction with a sealed VXI chassis to adapt to harsh industrial environments.