National Instruments 786458-01 DRAM Multifunction Reconfigurable I/O Device.

The National Instruments 786458-01 (PCIe-7857 module) is a widely used DRAM multifunction reconfigurable I/O (RIO) device. It features a Kintex-7 160T FPGA and supports customizable applications through the LabVIEW FPGA Module. This device is suitable for precise timing and control tasks like hardware-in-the-loop testing, high-speed control, custom protocol communication, and sensor simulation. The instrument also ensures independent timing and triggering with a dedicated analog-to-digital converter per channel.

The module offers 8 x analog input channels with software-selectable modes: differential (DIFF), non-referenced single-ended (NRSE), and referenced single-ended (RSE). It is equipped with a successive approximation register (SAR) ADC. It provides 16-bit resolution and a conversion time of 1 µs that helps in achieving a maximum sampling rate of 1 MS/s per channel. Input signal ranges are selectable from ±1 V to ±10 V, with a powered-on input impedance of 1.25 GΩ. It also includes overvoltage protection, offering ±42 V maximum when powered on and ±35 V when powered off.

The 786458-01 DRAM multifunction RIO device provides 8 x single-ended voltage output channels. Each channel features 16-bit resolution with a maximum update rate of 1 MS/s. The output channels are driven by an enhanced R-2R DAC. The output range is ±10 V with a DC coupling, and each channel can drive up to ±2.5 mA. Overvoltage protection is ensured with limits of ±15 V when powered on and ±10 V when powered off.

A Kintex-7 160T FPGA technology is used in this device which offers 202,800 flip-flops, 101,400 LUTs, 11,700 kbits of embedded Block RAM, and 600 DSP48 slices. It operates with timebases ranging from 40 MHz to 200 MHz. Onboard DRAM is configured with one bank of 512 MB while supporting a theoretical data rate of 800 MB/s streaming.

Digital I/O on the 786458-01 includes 16 channels on connector 0 and 32 channels on connector 1 which supports frequencies up to 10 MHz and 80 MHz. The logic family is software-selectable, with default settings at 3.3 V. Digital input and output levels are highly flexible and accommodates various voltage levels from 1.2 V to 3.3 V. Each digital I/O channel supports programmable voltage selection, direction control, and has protection up to ±20 V for single lines.

The NI 786458-01 module interfaces with systems via an x4 PCI Express slot, compatible with x4, x8, and x16 slots. It also supports data transfers through DMA, interrupts, and programmed I/O. The module requires a +3.3 V and +12 V power supply while consuming up to 3 A and 2 A. This lightweight device weighs only 165.1 grams (5.82 oz.). The dimensions of this unit are 16.8 cm x 11.1 cm (6.60 in. × 4.38 in.). The module's durable design supports operations at altitudes up to 2,000 m and temperatures from 0 °C to 55 °C.