Interface Cards enable PXI/CompactPCI control via laptop.
Press Release Summary:
Original Press Release:
NI Introduces Industry's First Products for Laptop Control of PXI/CompactPCI
New Interfaces Deliver Direct Laptop Control of PXI/CompactPCI with ExpressCard or PCMCIA CardBus AUSTIN, Texas - Aug. 23, 2005 - Engineers now can directly control a PXI/CompactPCI system from a laptop computer using new National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) ExpressCard MXI and PCMCIA CardBus interfaces. This new capability is ideal for portable and mobile applications, such as in-vehicle data logging, machine condition monitoring and field tests including RF spectral monitoring, in a variety of industries including automotive and military/aerospace. NI ExpressCard MXI (NI PXI-ExpressCard8360) offers direct control of PXI/CompactPCI systems from laptop computers with an ExpressCard slot. ExpressCard is the next-generation laptop interface that comes standard on many new laptop computers. The ExpressCard standard works with both USB 2.0 and PCI Express, and host slots accept modules that use either interface. ExpressCard MXI uses the PCI Express interface for maximum bandwidth performance. ExpressCard MXI delivers up to 110 MB/s of sustained throughput between PXI/CompactPCI systems and laptop computers. With the NI PXI-CardBus8310 interface, engineers can directly control PXI/CompactPCI systems from a PCMCIA CardBus slot, available on most existing laptop computers. The new interface gives engineers the option of using the laptop computers they currently own to control PXI/CompactPCI systems. Both interfaces are transparent to software applications and drivers. With embedded controllers or desktop computers with remote controllers, engineers can implement the new laptop control solutions without changing existing software written for use with PXI/CompactPCI systems. The ExpressCard MXI and PCMCIA CardBus interfaces provide a software-transparent link to the PXI/CompactPCI system, delivering software compatibility with all drivers and application development environments. For example, engineers can use them with the National Instruments LabVIEW graphical development environment and NI modular instruments to develop portable, high-performance field test systems. Engineers also can use the interfaces with DC-powered chassis, data acquisition modules and the National Instruments SignalExpress interactive measurement environment to create mobile data loggers. The ExpressCard MXI and PCMCIA CardBus interfaces work with modular instruments, data acquisition modules and bus interfaces from National Instruments, as well as modules from the more than 65 members of the PXI Systems Alliance and additional CompactPCI module vendors. 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. It is supported by more than 65 member companies and more than 1,150 products are available. PXI products are compatible with the CompactPCI industrial computer standard and offer additional features such as environmental specifications, standardized software and built-in timing and synchronization. About NI Modular Instruments NI offers essential technologies for test, which combine high-performance hardware, flexible software and innovative timing and synchronization technology for test and design applications. NI modular instruments offer accurate, high-throughput measurements from DC to 2.7 GHz. The product family includes: - High-resolution digitizers (up to 24 bits, up to 200 MS/s) - Signal generators (up to 16 bits, 200 MS/s) - Digital waveform generator/analyzers (up to 400 Mb/s) - Digital multimeters (up to 7 ½ digits) - RF vector signal generators and analyzers (up to 2.7 GHz) - Dynamic signal analyzers (up to 24 bits, 204.8 kS/s) - Switching (multiplexers, matrices and general purpose) About National Instruments National Instruments (www.ni.com) is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation - a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, USB and Ethernet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,600 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. In 2004, the company sold products to more than 25,000 companies in 90 countries. Pricing and Contact Information NI PXI-ExpressCard8360 priced from $1,099 NI PXI-CardBus8310 priced from $1,499 11500 N Mopac Expwy, Austin, Texas 78759-3504 Tel: (800) 258-7022, Fax: (512) 683-9300 Web: www.ni.com/pxi E-mail: info@ni.com LabVIEW, MXI, National Instruments, NI, ni.com and SignalExpress are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
