NI Introduces Industry's First PXI Express System Timing Controller


NI PXIe-6672 System Timing Controller Offers Synchronization of Multiple PXI Systems, NI PXI-6682 Module Features an Integrated GPS Receiver

Oct. 15, 2007 - National Instruments today announced the latest additions to NI timing tools including the industry's first PXI Express timing and synchronization controller and a PXI module that synchronizes PXI systems over GPS, Inter-Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG) and IEEE 1588. With these new products, engineers can achieve improved synchronization and timecode capabilities in PXI systems, which is important for synchronizing multiple systems, precisely timestamping events and improving measurement accuracy in automated test and data acquisition applications. These new timing features are integral to the development and control of large distributed systems such as particle accelerators and high-energy physics systems.

Engineers can use the industry's first PXI Express system timing controller, the NI PXIe-6672, to synchronize multiple PXI Express systems with nanosecond precision. The controller also makes it easy to synchronize PXI Express systems with GPIB, VXI and other measurement and instrumentation systems. This system timing controller generates high-resolution clocks from DC to 105 MHz for clocking instruments at precise frequencies and includes a high-stability TCXO reference with 1 ppm stability. With the controller's onboard routing of internal and external clocks and triggers, engineers have complete control over the PXI trigger bus, star trigger lines and system reference clock. They also can use this controller to implement complex synchronization schemes in a single PXI Express chassis, an important capability for high-channel-count and high-performance test and measurement applications.

The new NI PXI-6682 module provides GPS time, location and velocity; IRIG-B decoding; and IEEE 1588 synchronization. The module is designed for timestamping and triggering measurements or events across large physical objects such as airplanes and bridges or geographically distributed systems such as power grids and accelerators. Engineers can also use the module as a grandmaster in an IEEE 1588 network. The IEEE 1588 precision time protocol (PTP) provides a standard method to synchronize PXI, LXI and other IEEE 1588-based devices on an Ethernet network. Additionally, the NI PXI-6682 features complete PXI system timing controller functionality including the capability to control the PXI trigger bus, star trigger lines and system reference clock.

About PXI

PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation (PXI) is an open specification governed by the PXI Systems Alliance (www.pxisa.org) that defines a rugged, CompactPCI-based platform optimized for test, measurement and control. Founded in 1997, the PXI specification is supported by more than 70 member companies and has more than 1,500 products available. PXI products are compatible with the CompactPCI and CompactPCI Express industrial computer standards and offer additional features such as environmental specifications, standardized software and built-in timing and synchronization.

About National Instruments

National Instruments (www.ni.com) is transforming the way engineers and scientists design, prototype and deploy systems for measurement, automation and embedded applications. NI empowers customers with off-the-shelf software such as NI LabVIEW and modular cost-effective hardware and sells to a broad base of more than 25,000 different companies worldwide, with no one customer representing more than 3 percent of revenue and no one industry representing more than 10 percent of revenue. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 4,300 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. For the past eight years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.

Pricing and Contact Information
NI PXIe-6672
Priced from $1,999; 1,849; ¥281,000

NI PXI-6682
Priced from $1,499; 1,399; ¥211,000

Contact Sales: http://www.ni.com/contact
E-mail: info@ni.com

Web: http://www.ni.com/pxi

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