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VXI
(VME EXTENSIONS FOR INSTRUMENTATION)
ABOUT VXI
VXI- VME eXtensions for Instrumentation
VME- Versa Module Europa bus. It is a computer
bus standard.
IEEE adopted the VXI specification in 1993.
Used for test, measurement, and data acquisition both in
research and automation sectors.
It is being integrated by users into data acquisition boards.
User can control a VXI system by using a remote-general
purpose PC using MXI or GPIB.
One of the most exciting and fast growing platform in
instrumentation systems.
FEATURES
Open, multi-vendor standards maximize flexibility.
Smaller size reduces floor space, increases mobility and gives
close proximity.
Better timing and synchronization improves measurement
capability.
Modular, rugged design improves reliability.
Standardized VXI plug and play software eases system
configuration, programming, and integration.
MECHANICAL CONFIGURATION
Consists of a mainframe chassis-it has physical mountings and
backplane plug-ins.
Uses industry standard VME bus as base architecture.
The connecters are connected exactly as defined by the VME
specifications.
The VXI bus specification includes packaging requirements,
electromagnetic compatibility, power distribution, cooling and
airflow for VXI bus mainframes and plug-in modules.
HARDWARE REGISTERS
The upper 16kb of the 64 kb are reserved for VXI bus devices.
Each VXI device has a 8-bit logical address.
A single VXI system can have upto 256 VXI devices.
REGISTER ARCHITECTURE
Register
APPLICATIONS
Measurements modules ( Digitizers, Digital Multimeters (DMM),
Counters, power meters)
Stimulus modules ( Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWG), D/A
converters)
Scalable, high density switches for up to 3000 channels
Data Acquisition (DAQ)
Automated Testing
ADVANTAGES
Compact test solution since all test instruments can be contained
on a card within a multi-slot rack.
VXI is an open standard and allows the use of instruments from a
variety of manufacturers.
High speed operation resulting from the use of a single high speed
rack and backplane.
The ability for accurate timing and synchronization as a result of
the high speed communication possible between instruments and
the triggering facilities available.
Ease of configuration resulting from the plug-and-play software.
TRANSDUCER EXCITATION Signal conditioning systems can generate excitation, which some
transducers require for operation.
Strain gauges and RTDs require external voltage and currents,
respectively, to excite their circuitry into measuring physical
phenomena. This type of excitation is similar to a radio that needs
power to receive and decode audio signals. Signal conditioning
modules for these transducers usually provide these signals.
The SCXI-1121 and SCXI-1122 have onboard excitation sources,
configurable as current or voltage that you can use for strain
gauges, thermistors, or RTDs.
PXI
PXI stands for PCI eXtensions for
Instrumentation
WHAT IS PXI ?
PXI is a rugged PC-based platform for measurement and
automation systems. PXI combines PCI electrical-bus features
with the modular, Eurocard packaging of Compact PCI and then
adds specialized synchronization buses and key software
features. PXI is both a high-performance and low-cost deployment
platform for applications such as manufacturing test, military and
aerospace, machine monitoring, automotive, and industrial test .
Developed in 1997 and launched in 1998, PXI is an open industry
standard governed by the PXI Systems Alliance (PXISA), a group of
more than 70 companies chartered to promote the PXI standard, ensure
interoperability, and maintain the PXI specification .
PXI ARCHITECTURE
1) HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE
The PXISA hardware specification stipulates all feature
requirements pertaining to the mechanical, electrical, and
software architectures. The PXI Express specification is an
implementation of the CompactPCI and CompactPCI Express
specifications.
2) MECHANICAL ARCHITECTURE
High-performance connectors
Environmental testing
Electromagnetic testing
3) ELECTRICAL ARCHITECTURE
Industry-standard PC buses
System reference clocks
Star trigger buses
PXI trigger bus
4) SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE
Microsoft Windows software frameworks
Software components that define HW configuration and
capabilities
Virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA) implementation.
High-performance
Integrated peripherals
PXI CHASSIS
NI PCIe-GPIB
Instrument Control
(x1)
NI PCIe-1429
Image Acquisition
(x4)
Examples of Different PCI Express Link Widths: x1, x4, and x16
PXI SLOTS
Figure: The specifications define the connector that is used for the
communication to the PXI chassis.
APPLICATIONS OF PXI
Semiconductor test
Military Electronics test
Audio and Video test
Consumer electronic test
Hardware in loop test
THANKS