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National Instruments 778640-03 MXI-4 Kits for PXI/CompactPCI

The National Instruments 778640-03, also known as the PXI-PCI8331, is an interface kit made with MXI-4 technology that allows PCs to have direct control over PXI systems. High-performance desktop computers or servers may effectively administer PXI systems thanks to this high-bandwidth link's transparency to software applications and drivers. As a result of MXI-4's smooth connection and the fact that PXI is based on the industry-standard PCI bus, all PXI modules seem to be PCI boards within the computer. This provides the benefit of more slots, better power and cooling per slot, more module options, and better PXI synchronization features.

The MXI-4 link consists of a PCI-8331 (copper) board in the PC that is wired to a PXI-8331 (copper) module in slot 1 of a PXI chassis using the appropriate cable. For simplicity, the PCI board, PXI module, and cable can be purchased separately, or you can purchase an entire MXI-4 kit that includes all required parts.

Multi-Chassis PXI systems, which enable the connection of numerous PXI chassis in a daisy-chain or star configuration inside a single system, are also supported by the 778640-03. Using MXI-4, two PXI chassis can be connected by installing a PXI-8331 (copper) module in any peripheral slot of the master chassis and connecting it to another PXI-8331 in slot 1 of the slave chassis.

The MXI-4 technology in the 778640-03 serves as a PCI-to-PCI bridge and offers high performance software and hardware transparency. By dividing the bridge into two halves and connecting them via a 1.5 Gb/s serial link, it improves upon the conventional PCI-to-PCI bridge architecture. The MXI-4 has industrially tough connectors and supports both 3.3 V and 5 V PCI signaling settings. It also features error checking and retransmission on the serial link for increased reliability in electrically loud or hostile environments.

This kit has a maximum cable length of 10 meters. It functions in the range of 0 to 55 °C and 10% to 90% relative humidity. It can tolerate storage conditions ranging from -20 to 70 °C and 5% to 95% noncondensing relative humidity.