IEEE 1394 (FireWire) VXIbus Interface Kit for PCI
NI VXI-1394 Kit
• VXIplug&play-compliant
• Complete VXI interface from any
PCI c
omputer
• VXI Slot 0 capability, including
Resource Manager
• Optimized for register-based
communication
• Word-serial (message-based)
communication
•
Direct trigger and interrupt control
• Direct access to VXI memory space
• Bidirectional VXI transfers
• High-performance DMA transfers
using the MITE ASIC
• 12 MB/s sustained throughput across
FireWire and VXI
• Capable of routing VXI-compliant
external CLK10 source to the
backplane
Operating Systems
• Windows 2000/NT/XP/Me/98
Recommended Software
• LabVIEW
•
LabWindows/CVI
• Measurement Studio
Driver Software (included)
• NI-VXI/NI-VISA
Overview
The National Instruments VXI-1394 Kit links any PCI-based
computer directly to the VXIbus using the IEEE 1394 or
FireWire high-speed serial bus. The NI VXI-1394 Kit makes your
computer perform as if it were plugged directly into the VXI
backplane, giving your external computer the capability of an
embedded computer. The VXI
comes with the NI-VXI/NI-VISA software for Windows
2000/NT/XP/Me/98 to ease your VXI system development.
NI-VXI/NI-VISA software features intuitive tools for troubleshooting
and debugging VXI systems and programming libraries compatible
undreds of industry-standard instrument drivers.
ith h
w
You can use the VXI-1394 Kit in any PCI-based computer running
Windows 2000/NT/XP/Me/98. You gain flexibility, performance, and
value by using a desktop PC for control of your VXI system. Each
VXI-1394 Kit includes one PCI-1394 board that plugs into your PC;
one VXI-1394 Slot 0 module that plugs directly into your
VXI mainframe; a flexible IEEE 1394 cable; and NI-VXI/NI-VISA
VXI bus interface software. Because the VXI-1394 Kit comes with
NI-VXI/NI-VISA, all applications you write with NI-VXI and/or
NI-VISA execute on the VXI-1394 without modifications.
plug&play-compliant VXI-1394 Kit
Hardware
The VXI-1394 Kit interfaces your PCI-based desktop computer to
the VXIbus using the FireWire high-speed serial bus, a serial bus
technology used to connect external peripheral devices to the PC.
FireWire also features “hot plug-in” capability so that you can easily
add and configure FireWire devices such as the VXI-1394 interface to
your PC without needing to power down your system.The VXI-1394
interface combines the FireWire technology with the MITE and
MANTIS custom ASICs, which feature high-speed DMA and direct
interrupt and trigger control to provide a low-cost, easy-to-use, and
powerful VXI control solution.
he PCI-1394 b
T
using a thin, very flexible FireWire cable for easy installation and
configuration of rack-mount systems. The FireWire cable is a 6-wire
shielded cable with a maximum length of 4.5 m. You can connect up
to 16 FireWire devices for a maximum length of 72 m.
oard and the VXI-1394 Slot 0 module are connected
IEEE 1394 (FireWire) VXIbus Interface Kit for PCI
Performance
Using FireWire technology, the VXI-1394 Kit can achieve a speed of
400 Mb/s across the FireWire link.Because FireWire was designed for
streaming devices such as digital cameras, the VXI-1394 interface
achieves a faster block throughput rate than GPIB-to-VXI
c
ontrollers, but slower than MXI-2 or MXI-3 transfer speeds.
Thus, for typical instrument control applications, the VXI-1394
interface is comparable to GPIB-to-VXI controllers – not MXI-2 or
MXI-3. The VXI-1394 interface achieves a data transfer rate between
the local computer memory and the VXIbus at rates up to 12 MB/s
sustained throughput rate.
VXI Slot 0 Functionality
The single-slot, C-size VXI-1394 module is installed in Slot 0 in your
VXI mainframe. The VXI-1394 module provides all Slot 0
capabilities including slot identification and bus management
responsibilities. The VXI-1394 uses register-based Slot 0 functions,
which the Resource Manager software in your PC uses to bring up
the mainframe and begin normal operation.
VXI Triggers and Interrupts
With the VXI-1394 Kit, your computer can detect and service all
VXIbus interrupt lines and VXI triggers in any or all VXI mainframes
to which it is connected.
Shared Memory
With the VXI-1394 Kit installed, your computer can share system
RAM over the VXIbus so other VXI devices can send data directly to
your computer. Shared or dual-ported memory turns the system
RAM in your computer into VXI memory and makes it appear as
me
mory residing on a VXI device installed in the mainframe.
The VXI-1394 Kit was optimized so you can increase system
performance by transferring data directly to your PC from VXI
instruments with DMA.
Figure 1. VXI-1394 Configuration
Ordering Information
NI VXI-1394 Kit for
Windows 2000/XP/Me/98........................................778118-01
Windows NT............................................................778117-01
Includes one PCI-1394 interface board, one C-size VXI-1394 interface module,
NI-VXI/NI-VISA so
Hardware Only
NI VXI-1394 Module....................................................183815-01
ftware, documentation, and a 4.5 m FireWire cable.
BUY NOW!
For complete product specifications, pricing, and accessory
information, call (800) 813-3693 (U.S. only) or go to
ni.com/vxi.
2
National Instruments • Tel: (800) 433-3488 • info@ni.com • ni.com
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