National Instruments VXI-MXI-Express, VXI-8360T, VXI-8360LT, NI VXI-8360T, NI VXI-8360LT User Manual
National Instruments VXI-8360T Manual
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VXI-MXITM-Express
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
NI VXI-8360T
NI VXI-8360LT
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
April 2012
373683A-01
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Contents
About This Manual
Products Covered........................................................................................................... ix
Conventions ...................................................................................................................ix
Related Documentation..................................................................................................x
Chapter 1
Introduction
Description and Features ...............................................................................................1-1
NI VXI-8360T Front Panel Features...............................................................1-3
NI VXI-8360LT Front Panel Features ............................................................1-4
Functional Block Diagrams.............................................................................1-5
MXI-Express x1 Functional Overview..........................................................................1-6
Basic MXI-Express x1 Systems ......................................................................1-7
Larger MXI-Express x1 Systems ....................................................................1-8
Chapter 2
Installation and Configuration
Equipment Needed......................................................................................................... 2-1
Unpacking...................................................................................................................... 2-2
Software Installation ......................................................................................................2-2
Hardware Installation and Configuration ......................................................................2-3
Installing Your NI VXI-8360T/LT Controller ................................................2-3
Installing Your MXI-Express x1 Host Adapter or Peripheral......................... 2-4
Connecting Cables........................................................................................... 2-4
Powering On/Off the MXI-Express System.................................................... 2-4
Software Configuration..................................................................................................2-5
Default Software Settings................................................................................ 2-7
Chapter 3
Developing Your Application
National Instruments Application Software ..................................................................3-1
NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and Related Terms.......................................................................... 3-2
Programming for VXI.................................................................................................... 3-3
Optimizing Large VXIbus Transfers...............................................................3-4
NI-VXI API Notes........................................................................................... 3-5
Compiler Symbols.............................................................................3-5
Compatibility Layer Options ............................................................3-5
© National Instruments vii VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
Contents
Device Interaction and Debugging Tools...................................................................... 3-6
NI I/O Trace .................................................................................................... 3-6
VISA Interactive Control (VISAIC) ............................................................... 3-7
VXI Interactive Control (VIC)........................................................................ 3-9
Appendix A
Specifications
Appendix B
Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings
Appendix C
Using the Trigger Ports on the NI VXI-8360T
Appendix D
Using the Trigger Ports on the NI VXI-8360LT
Appendix E
How to Fix an Invalid EEPROM Configuration
Appendix F
VMEbus Capability Codes
Appendix G
Common Questions
Appendix H
Technical Support and Professional Services
Glossary
Index
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual viii ni.com
About This Manual
This manual contains instructions for installing and configuring the
NI VXI-8360T/LT controller interface kit. It also discusses how to start
developing your VXI/VME application.
Products Covered
Note The model numbers listed below are followed by their specific NI assembly numbers
in parentheses. x denotes all letter revisions of the assembly. Ensure the specifications of
interest match the NI assembly number that is printed on either the front or back side of the
board.
• NI VXI-8360T (198399x-02)
• NI VXI-8360LT (152725x-01)
Conventions
The following conventions appear in this manual:
» The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options
to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to
pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options
from the last dialog box.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to
avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash. When this symbol is marked on a
product, refer to the Safety section in Appendix A, Specifications, for
information about precautions to take.
bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such
as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes parameter
names.
italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross-reference, or an introduction
to a key concept. Italic text also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word
or value that you must supply.
© National Instruments ix VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
About This Manual
monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the
keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.
This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations,
variables, filenames, and extensions.
VXI-MXI-Express This term refers to the NI VXI-8360T or NI VXI-8360LT.
Series controller
MXI-Express x1 This term refers to the NI PCIe-8361, NI PCIe-8362,
host adapter NI ExpressCard-8360, and MXI-Express x1 host adapters.
Related Documentation
The following documents contain information that you might find helpful
as you read this manual:
• Your computer and/or chassis documentation
• ANSI/IEEE Standard 1014-1987, IEEE Standard for a Versatile
Backplane Bus: VMEbus
• ANSI/IEEE Standard 1155-1998, IEEE VMEbus Extensions for
Instrumentation: VXIbus
• ANSI/VITA 1-1994, VME64
• VXI-6, VXIbus Mainframe Extender Specification, Rev. 2.0, VXIbus
Consortium
• NI-VISA Help
• NI-VXI Help
• Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for NI-VISA/NI-VXI
• Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System
• MXI-Express x1 Series User Manual
• PCI Specification, Revision 3.0
• PCI-PCI Bridge Architecture Specification, Revision 1.2
• PCI Express Specification, Revision 1.0a
• PICMG CompactPCI 2.0 R3.0 specification
• PICMG EXP.0 CompactPCI Express Specification R1.0
• PCMCIA ExpressCard Standard, Revision 1.0
• PCI Express Base Specification, Revision 1.1
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual x ni.com
Introduction
Description and Features
The NI VXI-8360T/LT controller is a C-size, VXIbus, Slot 0-capable
device that can reside in any C-size or D-size VXI mainframe.
Note
D-size VXI mainframes have connections for a P3 connector. The NI VXI-8360T/LT
controller, however, does not have this connector and cannot provide the necessary control
for VXI devices that need P3 support.
The NI VXI-8360T/LT controller links a PCI Express-based host computer
to the VXIbus using the National Instruments MXI-Express x1 interface.
The MXI-Express x1 link enables your computer to perform as though it
were plugged directly into the VXI backplane, giving it the capabilities of
an embedded computer.
With MXI-Express x1, you can do the following:
• Control a VXI backplane with a PCI Express or ExpressCard-based
PC or laptop/mobile host adapter.
• Physically separate the measurement or automation system from
a host PC or laptop.
• Combine VXI, PCI Express, CompactPCI, CompactPCI Express, PXI,
PXI Express, and CompactRIO devices into the same system.
Several different MXI-Express x1 interfaces are compatible with the
NI VXI-8360T/LT controller. Refer to the Set Up Your MXI-Express x1
System Guide included in this kit for information about connectivity
support.
The NI VXI-8360T incorporates functionality allowing the extension of the
8 TTL backplane triggers and CLK10 between multiple chassis through
convenient front panel connectors. Refer to Appendix C, Using the Trigger
Ports on the NI VXI-8360T, for more information about using the
TRIG/CLK ports on the NI VXI-8360T.
© National Instruments 1-1 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
Chapter 1 Introduction
The NI VXI-8360LT allows the extension of the 8 TTL backplane triggers
to two M-LVDS front panel trigger bus connectors that are mechanically
and electrically compatible with the LXI-wired trigger bus specification
when configured in a specific way. Refer to Appendix D, Using the Trigger
Ports on the NI VXI-8360LT, for more information about using the trigger
bus ports on the NI VXI-8360T.
Kits that include a MXI-Express interface board also include a 3 m
MXI-Express x1 cable. 1 m and 7 m cables are also available and can be
purchased separately.
The kits also include the NI-VXI/NI-VISA CD, which installs the
VXI device drivers, NI-VISA, MAX, Resman, and other useful utilities.
This software also enables additional features of the NI VXI-8360T/LT,
such as Variable Power On (VPO) support, that are not covered in this
manual. Refer to the respective software release notes for more
information.
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 1-2 ni.com
NI VXI-8360T Front Panel Features
Front Panel Features
• Eight front panel status LEDs
– FAILED—Indicates the NI VXI-8360T failed power on
diagnostics.
– SYSFAIL—Indicates the VMEbus SYSFAIL line has been
asserted by a device on the backplane.
– ONLINE—Indicates the board is detected by the
NI-VXI/VISA driver.
– ACCESS—Indicates a VXI bus master is accessing the
NI VXI-8360T.
– CB—Indicates the circuit breaker has tripped from an over
current condition on the +5.0 V
– ACT—Indicates bus activity on the MXI-Express link.
– PWRGD—Indicates the on board power supplies are in
regulation.
– LINK—Indicates the MXI-Express link connecting the host
computer to the NI VXI-8360T has been established.
• TRIG/CLK PORT A(B)—These ports allow the user to
daisy-chain the 8 TTL triggers and/or CLK10 between multiple
chassis.
• CABLE STATUS LED—Indicates if the cable connections to
the TRG/CLK ports are correct.
– Off—Indicates no cables are connected to the TRIG/CLK
PORT A(B) ports.
– Blinking Red—Indicates incorrect trigger cable connection.
– Solid Green—Indicates correct trigger cable connection.
• Three front panel SMB connectors for:
– Trigger input
– Trigger output
–CLK10 I/O
• One MXI-Express x1 connector
Chapter 1 Introduction
rail of the NI VXI-8360T.
DC
© National Instruments 1-3 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
Chapter 1 Introduction
NI VXI-8360LT Front Panel Features
Front Panel Features
• Eight front panel status LEDs
– FAILED—Indicates the NI VXI-8360LT failed power on
diagnostics.
– SYSFAIL—Indicates the VMEbus SYSFAIL line has been
asserted by a device on the backplane.
– ONLINE—Indicates the board is detected by the
NI-VXI/VISA driver.
– ACCESS—Indicates a VXI bus master is accessing the
NI VXI-8360LT.
– CB—Indicates the circuit breaker has tripped from an over
current condition on the +5.0 V
NI VXI-8360LT.
– ACT—Indicates bus activity on the MXI-Express link.
– PWRGD—Indicates the on board power supplies are in
regulation.
– LINK—Indicates the MXI-Express link connecting the host
computer to the NI VXI-8360LT has been established.
• Two Trigger Bus Ports—These ports allow the user to daisy
chain the 8 M-LVDS backplane triggers and/or CLK10 between
multiple chassis.
• Three front panel SMB connectors for:
– Trigger input
– Trigger output
–CLK10 I/O
• One MXI-Express x1 connector
rail of the
DC
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 1-4 ni.com
Chapter 1 Introduction
Functional Block Diagrams
1
P1
2
Wired VXI Backplane Trigger and CLK10 Bus
3
CLK10/
Backplane Triggers
4
MITE
ASIC
MXI-Express x1
Copper
PCIe Gen 1 x1
PCIe-to
PCI Bridge
PXI/PCI
1 Status LEDs 2TRG/CLK Port A 3 TRG/CLK Port B 4 SMB I/O
Figure 1-1. NI VXI-8360T (198399x-02) Functional Block Diagram
MANTIS
ASIC
P1 ConnectorP2 Connector
P2
MANTIS
ASIC
1
Wired VXI Backplane Trigger Bus
2
CLK10/
Backplane Triggers
P1
MANTIS
ASIC
P1 ConnectorP2 Connector
3
MITE
ASIC
P2
MANTIS
ASIC
MXI-Express x1
Copper
PCIe Gen 1 x1
PCIe-to
PCI Bridge
PXI/PCI
1 Status LEDs 2 Trigger Bus Ports 3 SMB I/O
Figure 1-2. NI VXI-8360LT (152725x-01) Functional Block Diagram
© National Instruments 1-5 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
Chapter 1 Introduction
The NI VXI-8360T/LT is, by factory default, hardware configured to
automatically detect if it is in Slot 0, and will supply a CLK10 sourced from
an onboard oscillator. Refer to Appendix B, Advanced Hardware
Configuration Settings, for additional hardware configuration options.
MXI-Express x1 Functional Overview
The NI VXI-8360T/LT controllers enable control of a VXI mainframe with
a host computer using MXI-Express x1 technology.
MXI-Express x1 is based on PCI Express technology. A MXI-Express x1
kit may use a combination of PCI Express switches or PCI Express-to-PCI
bridges to enable control of a VXI chassis from a PC with an available
PCI Express or ExpressCard slot.
The link between the PC and the chassis is a x1 cabled MXI-Express link.
This link is a dual-simplex communication channel comprised of a
low-voltage, differentially driven signal pair. The link can transmit at a rate
of 2.5 Gbps in each direction simultaneously. This port is not compatible
with the cabled PCI Express specification developed by the PCI-SIG.
The BIOS of some host machines may not support the extension of the
PCI-Express fabric or PCI bus. Since this is the primary function of
MXI-Express x1 products, those systems may not boot or function
correctly. To address this issue, certain MXI-Express x1 products have
additional functionality intended to hide all PCI or PCI-Express resources
that are connected to the host machine allowing NI MXI-Express BIOS
Compatibility Software to handle the enumeration process of these
resources.
In the cases where this software is required, there may be a dip switch on
the MXI-Express x1 host adapter that needs to be toggled as instructed by
the documentation for the software.
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 1-6 ni.com
Basic MXI-Express x1 Systems
b
us
1
3
2
4
Figure 1-3 is an example of a basic VXI system being controlled by a
PCI-Express based host computer via a MXI-Express x1 link.
Chapter 1 Introduction
1 Host Computer
2 VXI Mainframe
3 NI VXI-8360T/LT Controller in Slot 0
4 MXI-Express x1 Cable
Figure 1-3. Host System with NI VXI-8360T/LT Controller
Refer to the MXI-Express x1 Series User Manual or the Set Up Your
MXI-Express x1 System guide included in your kit for more information
about MXI-Express x1 connectivity support for the NI VXI-8360T/LT
controller.
© National Instruments 1-7 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
Chapter 1 Introduction
Star Topology
Daisy-Chain Topology
b
u
s
bus
Larger MXI-Express x1 Systems
By leveraging the PCI Express technology used in MXI-Express x1
products, you can connect more than a single chassis to a host controller.
The NI PCIe-8362, for example, has two MXI-Express x1 ports. This
allows for connecting two targets simultaneously, also known as a star
configuration or star topology. Also, if multiple PCI or PCI Express slots
are available in the host PC, additional chassis can be connected by
installing additional NI MXI-Express x1 host boards to achieve the same
star topology.
You can also daisy-chain from a PXI or PXI Express chassis that is already
controlled by an embedded controller, host PC, or laptop to a VXI
mainframe using MXI-Express x1 products.
Figure 1-4. Example MXI-Express x1 System Expansion Topologies
Note The NI VXI-8360T/LT controller cannot be used to daisy-chain the MXI-Express
x1 link from one VXI mainframe to another VXI mainframe.
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 1-8 ni.com
Installation and Configuration
Equipment Needed
❑ A host computer with an available PCI Express slot
1
.
❑ A MXI-Express x1 host board that is appropriate for the host system
slot.
Refer to the connectivity tables in the Set Up Your MXI-Express x1
System guide to determine which MXI-Express x1 products are
compatible with the NI VXI-8360T and NI VXI-8360LT.
❑ A VXIbus mainframe
❑ A NI VXI-8360T/LT controller
❑ MXI-Express x1 copper cable
❑ National Instruments NI-VXI driver software CD
1
Some x16 slots may not work correctly with MXI-Express adapters.
© National Instruments 2-1 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
Unpacking
Your MXI-Express x1 boards are shipped in antistatic packages to prevent
electrostatic discharge (ESD) to the devices. ESD can damage several
components on the device.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors. Doing so may damage the device.
To avoid such damage in handling the device, take the following
precautions:
• Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded
object.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis
before removing the device from the package.
Remove the device from the package and inspect the device for loose
components or any sign of damage. Notify NI if the device appears
damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged device into a computer,
laptop, PXI/CompactPCI, PXI Express/CompactPCI Express,
CompactRIO, or VXI chassis.
Store the device in the antistatic envelope when not in use.
Software Installation
Run setup.exe on the NI-VXI/VISA software CD included with your kit
to install the software and for installation instructions. The CD will install
the driver for the product as well as NI-VISA by default.
With NI-VISA installed on your computer, you can run any VXI
software that is compatible with the WINNT/GWINNT framework. This
includes instrument drivers and executable soft front panel software included
with VXI
Caution To keep the manufacturer/model name tables or the VME device configuration
from a previous installation, be sure to back them up before starting Setup. They are in the
TBL subdirectory of your NI-VXI directory, usually Program Files\National
Instruments\VXI
When the installation process completes, reboot the system for the changes
to take effect. If you backed up the manufacturer and model name files,
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 2-2 ni.com
.
plug&play
-compatible instruments from a variety of vendors.
plug&play
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
restore them to the TBL subdirectory of your NI-VXI directory before
running MAX.
Note If you save and restore the TBL files from an older version of NI-VXI, the software
will use TBL files that do not have the latest updates from National Instruments and may
not include recent hardware releases. If you added additional manufacturer or model names
to your TBL files, we recommend merging those changes with the latest updates included
with this version of NI-VXI, so that all your devices are properly identified.
For more information about the NI-VXI API, refer to Chapter 3,
Developing Your Application.
Hardware Installation and Configuration
Prior to installation of the NI VXI-8360T/LT controller, determine if any
onboard jumper settings need to be changed. The NI VXI-8360T/LT
controllers’ default configuration of onboard jumpers should be acceptable
for most systems. Refer to Appendix B, Default Jumper Settings, only if
your system uses the front-panel CLK10 and trigger SMB connectors.
Caution To guard against electrostatic discharge, touch the antistatic plastic packages to a
metal part of your computer or chassis before removing the boards from their packages.
Your computer or chassis should be plugged in but powered off.
Caution The protection provided by the NI VXI-8360T/LT device can be impaired if it is
used in a manner not described in this document.
Installing Your NI VXI-8360T/LT Controller
1. Power off the chassis.
2. Verify that the backplane connector is intact and that there are no bent
or missing pins on the controller.
3. Insert the NI VXI-8360T/LT controller into the chassis in Slot 0, as
shown in Figure 1-3.
4. Firmly press the NI VXI-8360T/LT controller into the mating
connectors to ensure the module is fully inserted and seated in the
connector.
5. Tighten the two ejector handle screws.
© National Instruments 2-3 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
6. Verify that any other VXI devices with system controller capability
that are in the same chassis are not configured as system controller.
7. Ensure that no other VXI devices in your system are manually
configured for the same logical address as your controller.
Note Although the NI VXI-8360T/LT controllers are typically installed in Slot 0 of the
VXI chassis, they may operate in other slots of the chassis. If you choose to install the
controller in a slot other than Slot 0, the automatic detection circuitry on the controller will
detect the slot and configure the controller appropriately, as long as the J2 jumper is set to
Auto-detect.
Caution Having more than one device configured as system controller can damage the
VXI system. For VXI systems that include VME devices, ensure that the VME devices are
not configured in the upper 16 KB (starting from 0xC000) of the A16 address space. This
region is reserved for VXI device configuration registers, which are used for initializing,
configuring, and interacting with VXI devices. The NI VXI-8360T/LT controller also uses
this region for this purpose.
Installing Your MXI-Express x1 Host Adapter or Peripheral
Refer to the Setup Your MXI-Express x1 System guide included in the kit
for hardware installation instructions.
Connecting Cables
Connect the NI VXI-8360T/LT controller to the MXI-Express x1 host
adapter in the host computer, using the MXI-Express x1 cable as shown in
Figure 1-3, Host System with NI VXI-8360T/LT Controller.
For information about connecting trigger cables for the NI VXI-8360T,
refer to Appendix C, Using the Trigger Ports on the NI VXI-8360T.
For information about connecting trigger cables for the NI VXI-8360LT,
refer to Appendix D, Using the Trigger Ports on the NI VXI-8360LT.
For more information about MAX, refer to its online help by selecting the
Help»Help Topics menu.
Powering On/Off the MXI-Express System
For instructions, refer to the Powering On the MXI-Express x1 System
section and Powering Off the MXI-Express x1 System section of the Setup
Your MXI-Express x1 System guide.
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If using Variable Power On (VPO) refer to the NI-VXI Release Notes for
more information about powering up/down the system.
Software Configuration
The configuration utilities in your software kit are Resource Manager
(Resman) and Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
Resman configures all devices on the VXI backplane for operation and
allocates memory for devices that request it. Resman must be executed
every time the chassis or computer power is cycled, so that your application
can access devices in the VXI chassis.
Note You can also configure MAX to run Resman automatically at every computer startup
by selecting the Run Auto VXI Resource Manager at Startup checkbox from the Tools»
NI-VXI»VXI Options menu.
MAX presents a graphical display of your entire test and measurement
system to help you configure and check the status of various components,
including the NI VXI-8360T/LT controller.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
Complete the following steps to configure the VXI System.
1. Open MAX.
2. Select the VXI system that is controlled by the NI VXI-8360T/LT
controller listed under Devices and Interfaces.
© National Instruments 2-5 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
3. Verify the configuration of your VXI system by right-clicking the
device in the configuration tree, and selecting Properties or
Hardware Configuration, as shown in Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1. Right-Clicking on a VXI System in MAX
4. Run Resman by either clicking the Run VXI Resource Manager button
in the toolbar or right-clicking on the VXI system, as shown in
Figure 2-1.
If Resman encounters any issues during configuration, it will report
errors in Max under the system listing.
Note If you change any configuration settings, you will need to run Resman to apply the
changes.
Note You can also run Resman for all VXI systems at once in MAX by selecting Tools»
NI-VXI»VXI Resource Manager.
Note If you are using extenders such as MXI-2 to create a multichassis system, you may
need to run Resman before configuring some of your devices.
5. Verify the configuration, as needed, through the interactive control
utility, VISAIC (Start»Programs» National Instruments»VISA»
VISA Interactive Control), as described in Chapter 3, Developing
Your Application.
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Default Software Settings
The following tables list the default software settings in Measurement &
Automation Explorer (MAX) for the NI VXI-8360T/LT controller.
Device class Message-based
Number of handlers 1
Don’t share memory —
A24/A32 write posting Enabled
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
Table 2-1. MAX Device Tab Default Settings
Editor Field Default Setting
Table 2-2. MAX Shared Memory Tab Default Settings
Editor Field Default Setting
Table 2-3. MAX VXI Bus Tab Default Settings
Editor Field Default Setting
Bus timeout value 500 μs
VXI retry generation Enabled
Automatic retries Enabled
VXI transfer limit 256
A24/A32 write posting Enabled
Requester mode Release on Request
Request level 3
Operate as fair requester Enabled
Bus arbitration mode Prioritized
Arbiter timeout Disabled
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Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
Table 2-4. MAX PCI Tab Default Settings
Editor Field Default Setting
Low-level register access
Enabled
API support
User window size 512 KB
DMA setting Enable DMA on this controller
Table 2-5. MAX SMB Tab Default Settings
Editor Field Default Setting
CLK10 50 Ω termination Disabled
Invert CLK10 polarity Enabled
TRIG IN 50 Ω termination Disabled
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 2-8 ni.com
Developing Your Application
This chapter discusses the software utilities you can use to start developing
applications that use NI-VXI. Be sure to check the release notes for the
latest application development notes and changes.
Your software features several system development utilities including
MAX, Resman, NI I/O Trace, VISA Interactive Control (VISAIC), and
optionally VXI Interactive Control (VIC). You can also access online
help and a variety of examples to learn how to use NI-VXI for certain
tasks. Each component assists you with one of four development steps:
configuration, device interaction, programming, and debugging.
You can access the utilities, help files, and release notes through the
Windows Start menu by opening the National Instruments»VXI or
National Instruments»VISA program groups.
National Instruments Application Software
In addition to the NI-VISA/NI-VXI software, you can use the National
Instruments LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, and LabWindows
application programs and instrument drivers to ease your programming
task. These standardized programs match the modular virtual instrument
capability of VXI and can reduce your VXI/VME software development
time. These programs are fully VXIplug&play compliant and feature
extensive libraries of VXI instrument drivers written to take full
advantage of direct VXI control. LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, and
LabWindows/CVI include all the tools needed for instrument control, data
acquisition, analysis, and presentation.
LabVIEW is an easy-to-use, graphical programming environment you can
use to acquire data from thousands of different instruments, including
IEEE 488.2 devices, VXI devices, serial devices, PLCs, and plug-in data
acquisition boards. After you have acquired raw data, you can convert
it into meaningful results using the powerful data analysis routines in
LabVIEW. LabVIEW also comes with hundreds of instrument drivers,
which dramatically reduce software development time, because you do not
need to spend time programming the low-level control of each instrument.
© National Instruments 3-1 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual
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/CVI™
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