National Instruments PXI-8171 PXI Embedded Computer

National Instruments created the high-performance PXI-8171 (Part Numbers: 781717-01, 781717-02, 781717-03, 781717-04, 781717-05, 781717-06) series of embedded computers, which are compatible with CompactPCI and PXI, to function as system controllers in industrial automation applications. With sophisticated packaging techniques, it compactly and robustly combines conventional I/O characteristics into a single, rugged device, providing computational capability.

This series comprises three configurations: the NI-8176, NI-8175, and NI-8174, each catering to specific performance requirements.. Standard I/O on all modules includes video, USB, Ethernet, RS-232 serial and parallel connections, PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors, reset button, and PXI trigger. Certain models also have additional I/O connectors.

With support for PXI-1020/PXI-1025 chassis, the NI-8176 offers a 1.26 GHz CPU, an integrated floppy drive, a second serial port, a PCI-based GPIB controller, and a hard drive of 10 GB or more. Similar standard I/O, an 866 MHz CPU, and compatibility with PXI-1020/1025 chassis are aspects of the NI-8175. The NI-8174, on the other hand, has all conventional I/O and a 566 MHz CPU.

In terms of hardware, the PXI-8171 series has a PXI 3U-sized form factor with a modular PC architecture. The CPU module is made up of multiple logic blocks, such as the Watchdog Timer block, which is used for system resets or trigger generation, the Socket 370 CPU for Intel Pentium III processors, the SO-DIMM block for SDRAM, the Chip Set GMCH for CPU, SDRAM, and video connections, and more. SMB to PXI triggers is used to route PXI triggers.

Additionally, software kits like as NI-DAQ for comprehensive data acquisition operations, NI-VISA for unified instrument communication, and LabVIEW and Measurement Studio for simplified programming and instrument control duties are pre-installed on the hard drive in the series.

Options for data storage with the PXI-8171 include a 1.44 MB floppy disk, an internal IDE hard drive that supports ATA-5 (UDMA 100) standards, and USB storage that can accommodate floppy drives or CD-ROMs. The recovery CD bundled with the controllers offers two methods for restoring the hard disk to its original state: Recovery from a CD-ROM and Recovery from a Network.