PXI Express

XI Express is prepared to move test and measurement into the next decade. It builds on the PXI standard, offering higher performance and backward compatibility. As PXI was based on the PCI bus, PXI Express is built on the PCI Express high-speed serial interface. PXI Express gains much of its backward compatibility because of the compatibility between PCI Express and PCI. With these higher-performance capabilities, PXI Express will enable a COTS-based solution for many applications. The PXI standard, including the new PXI Express specification, is promoted by the PXI System Alliance (PXISA). It addresses the physical characteristics of the interconnect as well as the protocols for communi-

William Wong
Embedded/Systems/ Software Editor

As the PXI standard extends and embraces PCI Express, test and measurement will never be the same.

cating between devices connected using PXI and PXI Express.

Expressing PXI
PXI adds a number of features not found in the basic 132-Mbyte/s PCI interface, including a star trigger that allows precise synchronization between devices and a 10-MHz reference clock to all boards. There also is a dedicated trigger for each module. And, PXI has a propagation delay of less than 5 ns. PXI Express maintains these features, so PXI and PXI Express boards can interact. Furthermore, PXI Express adds a number of new features.

New Features
PXI Express does more than simply offer a faster transfer rate, incremental lane expandability, and all the oth-

PXI (left) and PXI Express (right) boards have the same form factor, but a closer look at the connectors reveals the different interconnects each employs.
A Supplement to Electronic Design/November 16, 2006

er features of PCI Express, so it can tackle new application areas such as video and software radio. It also extends PXIs timing and synchronization features. PXI Express uses a 100-MHz differential reference clock and provides differential triggers. Each PXI Express board has up to a x8 PCI Express fabric connection, though the standard supports x1 through x8 connections. A PCI Express switch card or switch on the system controller provides host access to each card. Each hybrid PXI Express board has a PXI connector as well. This supplies access to the 10-MHz clock and star trigger support. A PXI Express system has a maximum system controller bandwidth of 6 Gbytes/s. Each PXI Express card slot can use up to 2 Gbytes/s. PXI Express is in its infancy, but its expected to live long and prosper. It has significant room for growth, and its backward compatibility will enable it to coexist with PXI. New PXI Express boards are becoming available every day, but it will take quite a while to match the plethora of options available with PXI. Many custom PXI modules used in test, measurement, and control applications may not be moved to a PXI Express platform. Mixed, hybrid backplane systems are likely to be the mainstay for many years, and thats okay. PXI ensures their compatibility. ED ONLINE 13932
Sponsored by National Instruments

PXI Express: Expanding The Reach Of PXI

PXI Express controller options: PXI Express advantage:

Embedded controller: 250 Mbytes/s, 1 Gbyte/s, up to 6 Gbytes/s

Multicore processing

Higher bandwidth More precise timing Backward compatibility Enable new applications High channel count Multiple high-bandwidth modules High-speed streaming Improve performance
Board type: PXI Express Base: PCI Express Bus: x1, x4, x8 lanes Lane speed: 2.5 Gbits/s Max bus bandwidth: 6 Gbytes/s Notes: Chassis expansion, Hybrid slot compatible

Remote controller: 250 Mbytes/s, 1 Gbyte/s, up to 4 Gbytes/s

Cabled PCI Express, same x1 cabled PCI Express interface for PXI and PXI Express remote controller (interchangeable)
System slot PXI slot Hybrid slot System timing slot

x4 PCI Express x4 PCI Express

x4 PCI Express

H 1 x1 PCI Express 2 3 4

PXI Express Module Specs

PXI Express/CompactPCI form factors: 3U: 100 by 160 mm (3.94 by 6.3 in.) 6U: 233.35 by 160 mm (9.19 by 6.3 in.) Max cooling: 25 W for 3U, 50 W for 6U XJ4 provides PXI enhancements such as PXI trigger bus XJ3 provides PCI Express and PXI Express features including 100-MHz differential clock J1 compatible with CompactPCI 32-bit PCI bus (on hybrid boards only)
XJ4

XJ3

J1

Hybrid PXI/PXI Express systems:

Combine PXI and PXI Express boards in the same system Likely to be the standard until PXI Express dominates Provide PXI Express expansion PXI Express cards share PXI timing bus
Hybrid slot PXI slot PXI slot PXI slot

PXI Timing and Synchronization PXI Express

100-MHz intermodule differential clock Sync100 multichassis expansion reference Differential star trigger bus (<150-ps skew)
PXI

Single-ended star trigger bus (<1-ns skew)

Shared (Available for PXI & PXI Express slots)

10-MHz system reference clock (<1-ns skew) PXI Trigger Bus (8 TTL, PXI & PXI Express)
Board type: PXI Base: PCI Clock: 33 MHz Bus: 32-bit bus, optional 64-bit bus Bus speed: 132 Mbytes/s Notes: Chassis expansion, Hybrid slot compatible

PCI bus

H 5 6 7 8 PCI Express to PCI bridge

PXI Module Specs

PXI/CompactPCI form factors: 3U: 100 by 160 mm (3.94 by 6.3 in.) 6U: 233.35 by 160 mm (9.19 by 6.3 in.) Max cooling: 25 W for 3U, 50 W for 6U XJ4 provides PXI enhancements PXI features: trigger bus, 10-MHz clock for precise timing and logging, optional 64-bit PCI bus J1 compatible with CompactPCI 32-bit PCI bus Defined power per rail
XJ4

J1

A Supplement to Electronic Design/November 16, 2006