The National Instruments PXI Chassis are designed for measurement and automation applications, hold PXI modules, and link the modules with a high-performance backplane that provides synchronization and timing features. PXI Chassis deliver cooling, power, and a communication bus for I/O modules or modular devices. These modules can be controlled from an external PC or an embedded controller, with any of National Instruments software tools. These Chassis are compatible with PXI hybrid, PXI Express, and PXI modules.
The NI Chassis all meet or exceed the cooling standards for even the toughest PXI modules. The PXI specification necessitates at least 25 W of power available for every peripheral slot. However, the specification for the National Instruments PXI Express Chassis enlarged this standard to at least 30 W of power for every peripheral slot.
The NI PXI Chassis are also manufactured to reduce system acoustic emissions. Most of the Chassis have an option for the user to choose High or Auto fan speed. The High fan speed offers the most airflow separate of the ambient temperature, while the Auto fan speed is controlled by the ambient air temperature.
Another advantageous feature of the National Instruments PXI Chassis is that NI creates many of the power supplies used in the 8 to 18 slot models. These instrument-grade power supplies are enhanced to meet the power standards of PXI. The user can safely utilize a NI PXI Chassis filled with modules at the maximum temperature stated on the data sheet.
There are NI PXI Chassis created for benchtop, rack-mounting, a system with integrated signal conditioning, an embedded system, or portable systems. The National Instruments PXI Chassis have AC or DC power options and anywhere from 4 to 18 slots. Some Chassis, such as the PXIe-1062Q, also have a system timing slot. The NI PXIe-1062Q additionally has two PXI Express hybrid slots, making it a versatile unit.
Several of the PXI Chassis with integrated SCXI include the PXI-1050 and PXI-1052. Chassis such as these allow for the advantages of PXI and SCXI in one Chassis. There is a built-in analog and digital bus between the farthest right PXI slot and the SCXI subsystem slot, which allows for a DMM or DAQ module to control the SCXI subsystem and does not require cabling. The NI PXI-1050 PXI/SCXI Combination Chassis additionally enables users to link more PXI DAQ modules to SCXI modules in parallel mode, but this process does involve cabling.
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