National Instruments Network Card NI ExpressCard 8360 User Manual

VXI  
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual  
NI PCIe-8361, NI PCIe-8362, NI ExpressCard-8360, and NI VXI-8360T  
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual  
January 2008  
372145B-01  
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Important Information  
Warranty  
The VXI-MXI-Express Series controllers are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date  
of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment that proves  
to be defective during the warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.  
The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming instructions, due to defects  
in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National  
Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives  
notice of such defects during the warranty period. National Instruments does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be  
uninterrupted or error free.  
A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside of the package before  
any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shipping costs of returning to the owner parts which are  
covered by warranty.  
National Instruments believes that the information in this document is accurate. The document has been carefully reviewed for technical  
accuracy. In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National Instruments reserves the right to make changes to subsequent  
editions of this document without prior notice to holders of this edition. The reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected.  
In no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.  
EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN, NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF  
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THEREOF. This limitation of the liability of National Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action, whether in contract or tort, including  
negligence. Any action against National Instruments must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. National Instruments  
shall not be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty provided herein does not cover  
damages, defects, malfunctions, or service failures caused by owner’s failure to follow the National Instruments installation, operation, or  
maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the product; owner’s abuse, misuse, or negligent acts; and power failure or surges, fire,  
flood, accident, actions of third parties, or other events outside reasonable control.  
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Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,  
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Instruments Corporation.  
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Patents  
For patents covering National Instruments products, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txtfile  
on your CD, or ni.com/patents.  
WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS  
(1) NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED WITH COMPONENTS AND TESTING FOR A LEVEL OF  
RELIABILITY SUITABLE FOR USE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH SURGICAL IMPLANTS OR AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN  
ANY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHOSE FAILURE TO PERFORM CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT  
INJURY TO A HUMAN.  
(2) IN ANY APPLICATION, INCLUDING THE ABOVE, RELIABILITY OF OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS CAN BE  
IMPAIRED BY ADVERSE FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FLUCTUATIONS IN ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY,  
COMPUTER HARDWARE MALFUNCTIONS, COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE FITNESS, FITNESS OF COMPILERS  
AND DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE USED TO DEVELOP AN APPLICATION, INSTALLATION ERRORS, SOFTWARE AND  
HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS, MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING OR CONTROL  
DEVICES, TRANSIENT FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (HARDWARE AND/OR SOFTWARE), UNANTICIPATED USES OR  
MISUSES, OR ERRORS ON THE PART OF THE USER OR APPLICATIONS DESIGNER (ADVERSE FACTORS SUCH AS THESE ARE  
HEREAFTER COLLECTIVELY TERMED “SYSTEM FAILURES”). ANY APPLICATION WHERE A SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD  
CREATE A RISK OF HARM TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS (INCLUDING THE RISK OF BODILY INJURY AND DEATH) SHOULD  
NOT BE RELIANT SOLELY UPON ONE FORM OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DUE TO THE RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE. TO AVOID  
DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MUST TAKE REASONABLY PRUDENT STEPS TO  
PROTECT AGAINST SYSTEM FAILURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BACK-UP OR SHUT DOWN MECHANISMS.  
BECAUSE EACH END-USER SYSTEM IS CUSTOMIZED AND DIFFERS FROM NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS' TESTING  
PLATFORMS AND BECAUSE A USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MAY USE NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS IN  
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THE SUITABILITY OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS WHENEVER NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE  
INCORPORATED IN A SYSTEM OR APPLICATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE APPROPRIATE DESIGN,  
PROCESS AND SAFETY LEVEL OF SUCH SYSTEM OR APPLICATION.  
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Compliance  
Compliance with FCC/Canada Radio Frequency Interference  
Regulations  
Determining FCC Class  
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rules to protect wireless communications from interference. The FCC  
places digital electronics into two classes. These classes are known as Class A (for use in industrial-commercial locations only)  
or Class B (for use in residential or commercial locations). All National Instruments (NI) products are FCC Class A products.  
Depending on where it is operated, this Class A product could be subject to restrictions in the FCC rules. (In Canada, the  
Department of Communications (DOC), of Industry Canada, regulates wireless interference in much the same way.) Digital  
electronics emit weak signals during normal operation that can affect radio, television, or other wireless products.  
All Class A products display a simple warning statement of one paragraph in length regarding interference and undesired  
operation. The FCC rules have restrictions regarding the locations where FCC Class A products can be operated.  
Consult the FCC Web site at www.fcc.govfor more information.  
FCC/DOC Warnings  
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions  
in this manual and the CE marking Declaration of Conformity*, may cause interference to radio and television reception.  
Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Department  
of Communications (DOC).  
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by NI could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the  
FCC Rules.  
Class A  
Federal Communications Commission  
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC  
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated  
in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and  
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this  
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user is required to correct the interference  
at their own expense.  
Canadian Department of Communications  
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.  
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.  
Compliance with EU Directives  
Users in the European Union (EU) should refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for information* pertaining to the  
CE marking. Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional regulatory compliance  
information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line,  
and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.  
*
The CE marking Declaration of Conformity contains important supplementary information and instructions for the user or  
installer.  
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About This Manual  
Chapter 1  
Introduction  
What You Need to Get Started ......................................................................................1-2  
VXI-MXI-Express Front Panel Features .......................................................................1-3  
Chapter 2  
Installing the Software...................................................................................................2-1  
Installing the NI-VXI and NI-VISA Software ................................................2-1  
Interface Card ...............................................................................................2-5  
Installing Your NI ExpressCard-8360 ExpressCard MXI Interface ...............2-6  
Powering Up the MXI-Express System ..........................................................2-7  
Chapter 3  
Configuration.................................................................................................................3-2  
Device Interaction..........................................................................................................3-3  
Programming for VXI....................................................................................................3-6  
Optimizing Large VXIbus Transfers...............................................................3-7  
NI-VXI API Notes...........................................................................................3-8  
Compiler Symbols.............................................................................3-8  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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Contents  
Compatibility Layer Options............................................................ 3-8  
Debugging ..................................................................................................................... 3-9  
Appendix A  
Specifications  
Appendix B  
Default Settings  
Appendix C  
Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings  
Appendix D  
Using The Trigger Ports On The VXI-8360T  
Appendix E  
VMEbus Capability Codes  
Appendix F  
Appendix G  
Technical Support and Professional Services  
Glossary  
Index  
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About This Manual  
This manual contains instructions for installing and configuring the  
VXI-MXI-Express series controller interface kit. It also discusses how  
to start developing your VXI/VME application.  
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.  
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.  
monospace italic  
Italic text in this font denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value  
that you must supply.  
VXI-MXI-Express  
Series controller  
This term implies any of the VXI-MXI-Express Series controllers, such as  
the NI VXI-8360T.  
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About This Manual  
x1 MXI-Express  
host adapter  
This term implies any of the x1 MXI-Express host adapters, such as the  
NI PCIe-8361, NI PCIe-8362, and NI ExpressCard-8360.  
Related Documentation  
The following documents contain information that you might find helpful  
as you read this manual:  
Your computer and/or chassis documentation  
PCI Express Specification, Revision 1.0a  
NI ExpressCard MXI Series User Manual  
MXI-Express (x1) for PXI Express Series User Manual  
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  
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1
Introduction  
This chapter describes your VXI-MXI-Express Series controller interface  
kit, lists what you need to get started, and includes a brief description of the  
hardware and software.  
The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller interface kits link a  
PCI Express-based host computer to the VXIbus using the National  
Instruments MXI-Express (x1) interface. These kits make your computer  
perform as though it were plugged directly into the VXI backplane, giving  
it the capabilities of an embedded computer.  
The National Instruments VXI-MXI-Express Series controllers include the  
NI VXI-8360T and any kit containing the NI VXI-8360T. The controllers  
are C-sized VXI modules which plug into your VXI mainframe. The  
VXI-8360T incorporates functionality allowing the extension of the 8 TTL  
backplane triggers and CLK10 between multiple chassis through  
convenient front panel connectors.  
Several different MXI-Express (x1) interfaces are available with the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.  
NI PCIe-8361 is a single port (x1) PCI Express to MXI-Express  
interface board. This board plugs into an available PCI Express slot  
in the host computer.  
NI PCIe-8362 is a two port (x1) PCI Express to MXI-Express interface  
board. This board plugs into an available PCI Express slot in the host  
computer.  
NI ExpressCard-8360 is a (x1) ExpressCard/34 MXI-Express interface  
module that will work in both an ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54  
slot. With the ExpressCard interface, hybrid VXI systems can be built  
using National Instruments PXI and PXIe-based host computers. The  
NI ExpressCard-8360 can also be used to bring mobile/laptop control  
to the VXI system.  
Kits that include a MXI-Express interface board also include a 3 m (x1)  
MXI-Express cable. 1 m and 7 m cables are also available and can be  
purchased separately.  
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Chapter 1  
Introduction  
The kits also include the NI-VXI/NI-VISA bus interface software, which  
is fully VXIplug&play-compliant. NI-VXI/NI-VISA is the National  
Instruments implementation of the VISA I/O software standard on which  
all VXIplug&play software components are based.  
What You Need to Get Started  
To set up and use the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller interface kit, you  
need the following items:  
A host computer with an available PCI Express slot1 running the  
Windows XP operating system  
A PCI Express or ExpressCard to MXI-Express interface card  
A VXIbus mainframe  
A VXI-MXI-Express Series controller  
A x1 MXI-Express cable  
The National Instruments NI-VXI driver software CD  
This manual  
Hardware Description  
The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller is a C-size VXIbus Slot 0-capable  
device that can reside in slot 0 of any C-size or D-size chassis.  
Note D-size VXI mainframes have connections for a P3 connector. The  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller, however, does not have this connector  
and cannot provide the necessary control for VXI devices that need P3 support.  
1
Some x16 slots may not work correctly with MXI-Express adapters.  
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Chapter 1  
Introduction  
VXI-MXI-Express Front Panel Features  
The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller has the following front panel  
features:  
Eight front panel LEDs  
FAILED—Indicates the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller  
failed power on diagnostics.  
SYSFAIL—Indicates the VMEbus SYSFAIL line has been  
asserted on the backplane.  
ONLINE —Indicates the board is detected and ready for use.  
ACCESS—Indicates a VXI bus master is accessing the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.  
CB—Indicates the circuit breaker has tripped from an over current  
condition on the +5.0 VDC rail of the VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller.  
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 VXI-MXI-Express Series controller has been  
established.  
Three front panel SMB connectors for:  
Trigger input  
Trigger output  
CLK10 I/O  
One x1 MXI-Express connector  
TRIG/CLK PORT A(B)—These ports allow the user to daisy chain  
the eight TTL backplane triggers and/or CLK10 between multiple  
chassis.  
CABLE STATUS LED  
Off  
Indicates no cables are connected to the TRIG/CLK  
PORT A(B) ports.  
Blinking Red  
Solid Green  
Indicates the cables are connected incorrectly to the  
TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) ports.  
Indicates the cables are connected correctly to the  
TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) ports.  
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Chapter 1  
Introduction  
Advanced Configuration Options  
The VXI-MXI-Express default hardware configuration should be  
acceptable for most systems. Refer to Appendix B, Default Settings, only  
if your system uses the front-panel CLK10 and trigger SMB connectors.  
The NI-VISA/NI-VXI bus interface software includes a Resource  
Manager, an interactive configuration and troubleshooting program,  
a comprehensive library of software routines for VXI/VME programming,  
a logging utility you can use for debugging, and graphical interactive  
control programs for interacting with VISA. You can use this software to  
seamlessly program multiple-mainframe configurations and have software  
compatibility across a variety of controller platforms.  
NI-VISA has a comprehensive library of software routines not only for  
VXI/VME programming, but also for GPIB, GPIB-VXI, PXI, TCP/IP, and  
Serial. You can use this software to program instruments connected through  
different types of interfaces.  
Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) helps you view your  
entire test and measurement system and configure various components,  
whether they are VXI, GPIB, PXI, or Serial devices. You can easily  
add VME devices to your system with MAX and view them in the  
configuration tree along with the rest of your system. MAX features various  
options for running the Resource Manager, Resman, such as performing  
resource manager operations on your VXI systems and configuring Resman  
to run automatically at startup. You also can execute Resman independently  
to configure your instruments after each power cycle.  
The NI Spy utility tracks the calls your application makes to National  
Instruments drivers, including NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and NI-488.2. NI Spy  
helps you debug your application by clearly highlighting the functions that  
return errors. You can let NI Spy keep a log of your program’s calls to these  
drivers so that you can check them for errors at your convenience.  
National Instruments Application Software  
In addition to the NI-VISA/NI-VXI software, you can use the National  
Instruments LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, and LabWindows/CVI™  
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  
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Chapter 1  
Introduction  
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.  
Measurement Studio allows you to choose from standard environments  
such as Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, and Visual Studio .NET to  
create your application, using tools specific for each language. With  
Measurement Studio, you can write programs quickly and easily and  
modify them as your needs change.  
LabWindows/CVI is an interactive ANSI C programming environment  
designed for building virtual instrument applications. LabWindows/CVI  
delivers a drag-and-drop editor for building user interfaces, a complete  
ANSI C environment for building your test program logic, and a collection  
of automated code generation tools, as well as utilities for building  
automated test systems, monitoring applications, or laboratory  
experiments.  
To use any of these application programs, install them before installing  
the NI-VISA/NI-VXI software. LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, and  
LabWindows/CVI integrate the VXI and VISA libraries required to support  
your VXI-MXI-Express. You also get hundreds of complete instrument  
drivers, which are modular, source-code programs that handle the  
communication with your instrument to speed your application  
development.  
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2
Installation and Configuration  
This chapter explains how to set up your test system.  
Installing the Software  
Use the Setup program that came with your NI-VXI/NI-VISA software to  
install the entire software package or a software update, or to reinstall  
software in the event that your files were accidentally erased. Some of the  
utilities rely on the LabWindows/CVI Run-Time Engine. This software is  
installed, if necessary, during the NI-VXI/NI-VISA installation.  
Depending on the type of installation you choose, you may need up to  
500 MB of free space on your hard drive to accommodate the NI-VXI and  
NI-VISA software.  
To be compliant with VXIplug&play specifications, a VXI controller must  
provide the VISA I/O driver library standardized by VXIplug&play. VISA  
ensures that your controller can run all VXIplug&play-compatible software  
now and in the future.  
The NI-VISA software in this kit is compatible with the WINNT/GWINNT  
framework. With NI-VISA installed on your computer, you can run any  
VXIplug&play software that is compatible with this framework. This  
includes instrument drivers and executable soft front panel software  
included with VXIplug&play-compatible instruments from a variety  
of vendors.  
Installing the NI-VXI and NI-VISA Software  
This section describes how to install the NI-VXI and NI-VISA software.  
Carefully read these directions along with any messages on the screen  
before making your selections. You can quit the Setup program at any time  
by clicking the Cancel button.  
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Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
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  
TBLsubdirectory of your NI-VXI directory, usually Program Files\National  
Instruments\VXI.  
Setup is an interactive, self-guiding program that installs the NI-VXI and  
NI-VISA software and configures your system to use the software with  
the VXI-MXI-Express. Complete the following steps to perform the  
installation.  
1. Insert the CD. When prompted, select Install NI-VXI from the menu.  
If no menu appears when the CD is inserted:  
a. Select Start»Run and enter the following text, where Xis your  
CD drive (usually D):  
X:\setup.exe  
b. Click the OK button to begin installing NI-VXI.  
2. Click the Next button at the Welcome screen to start the installation  
and accept the license agreement.  
Note If you have a previous version of the NI-VXI software installed, Setup installs the  
new version over the previous version.  
3. Select the installation features from the Features screen.  
For more information about the NI-VXI API, refer to Chapter 3,  
Developing Your Application.  
4. Click the Next button. After reading the license agreement(s), confirm  
your acceptance.  
5. Click the Next button. Confirm that you are ready to install and click  
Next again to begin the installation.  
6. Setup now copies the necessary files to your hard drive and creates  
program icons.  
Completing the Software Installation  
Review the information in any READMEfiles that Setup prompts you  
to read.  
When the installation process completes, reboot the system for the changes  
to take effect. If you backed up the manufacturer and model name files,  
restore them to the TBLsubdirectory of your NI-VXI directory before  
running MAX.  
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Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
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.  
Configuring the Hardware (Optional)  
This section contains basic information about configuring your  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller hardware. Because the default settings  
for your VXI-MXI-Express Series controller hardware are acceptable for  
most typical applications, this section is optional.  
Refer to Appendix B, Default Settings, for a complete listing of the  
hardware and software default settings.  
Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to change any  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller configuration settings.  
For information about the software, including optional settings, use MAX  
and its online help. Use the Windows Start menu to open the program group  
for National Instruments, launch MAX, and select Help»Help Topics.  
Installing the Hardware  
This section summarizes how to install your VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller hardware.  
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.  
Installing Your VXI-MXI-Express Series Controller  
Note Although the VXI-MXI-Express Series 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, if the J2 jumper is set to  
Auto-detect.  
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Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
Cautions 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 VXI-MXI-Express Series controller  
also uses this region for this purpose.  
Also ensure that no other VXI devices in your system are manually configured for the same  
logical address as your controller. The default shipping configuration is that the card  
auto-detects if it is in Slot 0.  
To install the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller in Slot 0 of your VXI  
chassis, complete the following steps.  
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 VXI-MXI-Express Series controller into the chassis in  
Slot 0, as shown in Figure 2-2.  
4. Firmly press the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller into the mating  
connectors to ensure the module is fully inserted and seated in the  
connector.  
5. Tighten the two ejector handle screws.  
6. Power on the chassis.  
The VXI system controllers operate certain VXI lines as required for  
VXI systems. Verify that any other VXI devices with system controller  
capability that are in the same chassis are not configured as system  
controller.  
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Installing Your NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 x1 PCI Express to  
MXI-Express Interface Card  
To install your NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 x1 PCI Express to  
MXI-Express module, complete the following steps.  
1. Power off your computer, but leave it plugged in while installing the  
NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362. The power cord grounds the chassis and  
protects it from electrical damage while you install the card.  
Caution To protect both yourself and the computer from electrical hazards, your computer  
should remain off until you finish installing the NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362.  
2. Open the host computer or remove the top cover to gain access to the  
host computer PCIe expansion slots.  
3. Select any available PCI Express expansion slot.  
Note The BIOS or motherboard may not support the NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 in a slot  
intended for a graphics card.  
4. Locate the slot. Remove any slot and back panel covers and hardware  
(for example, screws).  
5. Touch the metal part of the power supply case inside the computer to  
discharge any static electricity that might be on your clothes or body.  
6. Line up the NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 with the slot on the  
back panel. Slowly push down on the top of the NI PCIe-8361/  
NI PCIe-8362 until its card-edge connector is resting on the expansion  
slot receptacle. Using slow, evenly distributed pressure, press the  
NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 straight down until it seats completely in  
the expansion slot, as shown in Figure 2-1.  
7. Reinstall the bracket-retaining mechanism to secure the  
NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 to the back panel rail.  
8. Replace the computer cover.  
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3
2
1
1
2
NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 Card  
PCI Express Card Edge Connector  
3
PCI Express Slot  
Figure 2-1. Installing the NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362  
Installing Your NI ExpressCard-8360 ExpressCard MXI Interface  
Complete the following steps to install the ExpressCard interface card.  
1. Power off your computer.  
Note You may want to connect one end of the x1 MXI-Express cable to the  
ExpressCard-8360 prior to installing it into the host computer.  
2. Insert the ExpressCard-8360 in any available ExpressCard/34 or  
ExpressCard/54 slot.  
Connecting Cables  
Connect the x1 MXI-Express cable to the VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller and then to the x1 MXI-Express host adapter in the host  
computer.  
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Figure 2-2 shows a system that includes a PCI Express-based host  
computer and a VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.  
2
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Host Computer  
VXI Mainframe  
3
4
Host Cable  
Figure 2-2. Host System with VXI-MXI-Express Series Controller  
For information on connecting cables to TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) on the  
NI VXI-8360T, refer to the Connecting the Trigger Port Cables section of  
Appendix D, Using The Trigger Ports On The VXI-8360T.  
Powering Up the MXI-Express System  
Complete the following steps to power up the system.  
Note All VXI expansion chassis must be fully powered before turning on the host  
computer, otherwise the expansion chassis will not be detected by the host.  
There are no requirements on how VXI-MXI-Express-based expansion chassis are  
powered up relative to each other as long as they are all on before the host computer  
is powered on.  
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1. Power on all of the VXI expansion chassis in any order you choose.  
2. Power on the host computer.  
Powering Down the MXI-Express System  
Because operating systems and drivers commonly make the assumption  
that PCI devices will be present in the system from power-up to  
power-down, it is important not to power off the expansion chassis until  
after the host PC is powered off. Powering off the expansion chassis while  
the host is still on can cause crashes or hangs. The order in which expansion  
chassis are powered off, relative to each other, is not important.  
Software Configuration and Verification  
Complete the following steps to configure the software and verify the  
configuration.  
1. Run MAX. You must run the Resource Manager (Resman) every time  
the chassis or computer power is cycled, so that your application can  
access devices in the VXI chassis. You can also configure MAX to run  
Resman automatically at every computer startup by selecting Tools»  
NI-VXI»VXI Options from the menu and selecting the appropriate  
checkbox.  
2. You can also use MAX to interactively configure the National  
Instruments hardware in your system. Use the right-click help for  
information about the various configuration options. After you finish  
configuring the system through MAX, verify the configuration  
through the interactive control utility, VISAIC (Start»Programs»  
National Instruments»VISA»VISA Interactive Control), as  
described in Chapter 3, Developing Your Application.  
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.  
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Developing Your Application  
This chapter discusses the software utilities you can use to start developing  
applications that use NI-VXI.  
After installing the NI-VXI software, you can begin developing your  
VXI/VME application. Be sure to check the release notes for the latest  
application development notes and changes.  
NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and Related Terms  
Before you develop your application, it is important to understand the  
difference between NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and similar terms.  
NI-VXI is the software package that ships with National Instruments  
VXI and VME controllers. NI-VXI includes Measurement &  
Automation Explorer (MAX), NI-VISA, NI Spy, Resource Manager  
(Resman), VXI device drivers, and other utilities for configuring and  
controlling your VXI or VME system.  
NI-VISA is the native API for communicating with VXI/VME devices.  
NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation of the VISA I/O  
standard, which is a common interface to many types of instruments  
(such as VXI, GPIB, PXI, Serial, TCP/IP, and so on). NI-VXI is  
optimized for use through NI-VISA, and NI recommends using  
NI-VISA to develop all new VXI/VME applications.  
The NI-VXI API is an optional development environment that is  
not part of the default NI-VXI installation. The NI-VXI API was  
developed before NI-VISA; although NI-VXI still supports the  
NI-VXI API, NI recommends using NI-VISA for all new VXI/VME  
applications. If you must develop an application using the older  
NI-VXI API, run the NI-VXI installer and enable NI-VXI API  
Development. Be sure to review the NI-VXI API Notes section.  
The NI-VXI compatibility layer allows older programs that use the  
NI-VXI API to communicate with VXI devices through VISA. Using  
this compatibility layer, older programs can run in NI-VXI 3.0 or later  
without being rewritten to use the VISA interface. This layer installs  
with NI-VXI by default. It should be completely transparent and  
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provide a high level of performance; however, there may be some  
slight changes in behavior for certain applications.  
Your software features several system development utilities including  
MAX, Resman, NI Spy, 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.  
Configuration  
The configuration utilities in your software kit are Resource Manager  
(Resman) and Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX). Resman  
performs VXI Resource Manager functions as described in the VXIbus  
specification. Resman configures all devices on the VXI backplane for  
operation and allocates memory for devices that request it. Resman does  
not require you to specify any settings; it automatically performs the VXI  
resource management whenever you run it.  
Note Power cycling resets all devices, so you must run Resman to reconfigure your  
system every time you cycle the power on the chassis.  
MAX presents a graphical display of your entire test and measurement  
system to help you configure various components. When you launch MAX,  
you see all your devices (including VXI) on the screen. You can view the  
properties (such as logical address and address space) of each device by  
clicking the device in the configuration tree. To see additional configuration  
options for a given device, right-click the device in the configuration tree.  
When you access the properties of most National Instruments devices  
by right-clicking, you can configure the hardware settings by selecting  
Hardware Configuration.  
MAX and Resman are designed to work together. You can run Resman  
through MAX by either clicking the Run VXI Resource Manager button in  
the toolbar or right-clicking a specific VXI system on which to run Resman,  
as shown in Figure 3-1. You can also select Tools»NI-VXI»VXI Resource  
Manager to run Resman on all VXI systems. From the VXI Options dialog  
box in the Tools»NI-VXI menu, you can also use MAX to configure  
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Resman to run on all VXI systems automatically when the computer boots.  
Resman reports to MAX all errors it finds in your system. When you view  
your VXI system in MAX, you can easily spot any errors that Resman  
found while configuring the system.  
Figure 3-1. Right-Click a VXI System in MAX to Run Resman on that System  
After Resman detects and configures all your VXI/VME devices, you can  
use MAX to view specific information about each device in your system.  
The default MAX view of a VXI system shows the General tab window,  
which contains a summary of key information about each device, including  
its device name, logical address, model name, and other data. For more  
information about MAX, refer to its online help by selecting the  
Help»Help Topics menu.  
Device Interaction  
You can interact with your VXI/VME devices using the VISA Interactive  
Control (VISAIC) utility. VISAIC allows you to control your VXI/VME  
devices without using LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, LabWindows/CVI,  
or another programming language. You can also control your devices in  
MAX by right-clicking a device name and selecting Open VISA Session.  
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Note You can also use VXI Interactive Control Program (VIC) to control your VXI/VME  
devices and develop and debug VXI application programs. VIC is not included in the  
default NI-VXI installation. To install VIC, select NI-VXI API Development in the  
installer. You can launch VISAIC (or VIC) from the Tools menu in MAX or from the  
VISA or VXI subgroups in Start»Programs»National Instruments.  
Try the following in VISAIC: In the tree view, navigate using your mouse  
to the VISA resource for your controller—probably VXI0::0::INSTR,  
representing the VXI system 0, logical address 0 instrument resource,  
as shown in Figure 3-2.  
Figure 3-2. Select Your Controller in VISAIC  
Open the selected resource and navigate to the Register I/O tab (Show all  
VISA operations must be turned on for this to be visible). In this tab, you  
can read registers on your device, such as the VXI device configuration  
registers. Execute the viIn operation (called In in LabVIEW compatibility  
mode) with the default parameters. The Data Value field shows the I/O  
operation result, such as 0x9ff6. The Return Value field shows the  
function status, such as 0 for VI_SUCCESS, as shown in Figure 3-3.  
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Figure 3-3. Successful viIn Access in the VISAIC Register I/O Tab  
(This Window May Look Slightly Different for LabVIEW Users)  
If the data value ends in FF6, you have successfully read the National  
Instruments manufacturer ID from your VXI/VME controller’s ID register.  
You may now want to read the configuration registers from other VXI  
devices in your system by opening the devices in VISAIC. Try reading a  
register from each device listed in the MAX view of your VXI system. This  
way, you can verify that your VXI controller can access each device in your  
VXI system successfully. You can also access VXI and VME devices  
configured in A16, A24, or A32 space by opening the VXI MEMACC  
resource, which is VISA’s representation of VXI memory. For more  
information about VISAIC operations and commands, refer to the online  
help in the Help menu and the context-sensitive help (such as What’s  
This?), available by right-clicking in any panel. You also can right-click  
over items in panels for details on their purpose.  
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Programming for VXI  
NI-VISA and the NI-VXI API are the two National Instruments  
programming interfaces for accessing your VXI/VME instruments. With  
NI-VXI 3.0 or later, NI-VISA is the native API for communicating with a  
VXI or VME system, and NI recommends using it for all new applications.  
Older programs that use the NI-VXI API now use the NI-VXI-to-NI-VISA  
compatibility layer to communicate with the VXI devices. Using this layer,  
older programs can run in NI-VXI 3.0 or later without being rewritten to  
use the VISA interface.  
Note The NI-VXI API development environment is not installed by default as part of  
the NI-VXI installation. NI recommends using NI-VISA rather than NI-VXI for all new  
VXI/VME applications. If you must develop an application using the older NI-VXI API,  
run the NI-VXI installer and select the NI-VXI API Development option in the Feature  
Selection screen. Be sure to review the NI-VXI API Notes section of this manual.  
NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation of the VISA API as  
the VXIplug&play standard defines. It provides a common interface to  
many types of instruments (such as VXI, GPIB, PXI, Serial, TCP/IP, and  
so on) and therefore is especially useful in situations where you are using  
multiple types of instruments.  
Both NI-VISA and the NI-VXI API include functions for register-level  
access to VXI instruments and messaging capability to message-based  
devices. You can also use either interface to service asynchronous events  
such as triggers, signals, and interrupts, and also assert them. Compatibility  
with the NI-VXI API is included for legacy applications only—  
NI recommends that you write all new VXI/VME applications in VISA.  
The best way to learn NI-VISA programming is by reviewing the example  
programs your software includes. The examples directory contains working  
VISA programs that illustrate many different types of applications. You can  
find these examples in the Windows Start menu under Programs»  
National Instruments»VISA»Examples.  
If you are just getting started, you should learn how to access registers  
with high-level calls and send messages with word-serial functions. The  
NI-VISA examples for these tasks are HighReg.cand RdWrt.c. Refer  
to the other examples as you try more advanced techniques. Consult the  
NI-VISA online help for additional information about these topics.  
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Table 3-1 summarizes the topics the example programs address. All  
files are found through the Windows Start menu under Programs»  
National Instruments»VISA»Examples, in the subdirectories listed  
below.  
Table 3-1. NI-VISA/NI-VXI Examples  
NI-VXI  
Example  
Coverage  
NI-VISA Example  
C\General\RdWrt.c  
(Optional)  
Message-Based Access  
High-Level Register Access  
Low-Level Register Access  
Interrupt Handling  
VXIws.c  
C\VXI-VME\HighReg.c  
C\VXI-VME\LowReg.c  
VXIhigh.c  
VXIlow.c  
C\VXI-VME\AsyncIntr.cand WaitIntr.c VXIint.c  
C\VXI-VME\WaitTrig.c VXItrig.c  
Trigger Handling  
Note MAX includes configuration options that affect low-level functions and shared  
memory, as well as trigger mappings and other attributes of your VXI system. Refer to  
the MAX online help for information regarding these options.  
Optimizing Large VXIbus Transfers  
For best performance, keep the following in mind when using viMove()  
or VXImove():  
Make sure your buffers are 32-bit aligned.  
Transfer 32-bit data whenever possible.  
Use VXI block access privileges to significantly improve performance  
to devices that can accept block transfers, and likewise use D64 access  
privileges for devices that can accept the VME64 64-bit data transfer  
protocol.  
To optimize move performance on virtual memory systems such as the  
Windows operating system, lock the user buffer in memory yourself so  
the move operation does not need to lock the buffer.  
To optimize move performance on paged memory systems such as  
the Windows operating system, use a contiguous buffer so the move  
operation does not need to build a scatter-gather list for the user buffer.  
Note viMemAlloc()or VXImemAlloc()returns 32-bit aligned, page-locked,  
continuous buffers that work efficiently with the move operations.  
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NI-VXI API Notes  
The following notes apply only if you are using the NI-VXI API.  
National Instruments recommends that all new VXI/VME applications use  
the NI-VISA API, but you can still develop with the older NI-VXI API for  
compatibility with legacy code.  
Compiler Symbols  
You may need to define certain compiler symbols so that the NI-VXI  
library can work properly with your program. The required symbol  
indicates your operating system platform; for example, VXINT designates  
the application as a Windows 2000/NT/XP/Me/98 application.  
Note LabWindows/CVI automatically defines the correct symbol. You do not need to  
define VXINTwhen using LabWindows/CVI.  
The additional symbol BINARY_COMPATIBLEis optional. It ensures  
that the resulting application is binary compatible with other National  
Instruments VXI controllers using the same operating system. This symbol  
may cause a slight performance degradation when you use low-level  
VXIbus access functions on some controllers.  
You can define these symbols using #definestatements in your source  
code or using the appropriate option in your compiler (typically either –D  
or /D). If you use #definestatements, they must appear in your code  
before the line that includes the NI-VXI API header nivxi.h.  
Compatibility Layer Options  
Although NI-VXI supports multiple VXI controllers through NI-VISA, the  
NI-VXI API supports only a single controller. To specify which controller  
the emulation layer should use, run MAX. Select Tools»NI-VXI»VXI  
Options. Select the VXI system that will support the emulation layer.  
In NI-VXI 3.0 or later, when you enable for triggers or interrupts, only  
the local controller is enabled. In the NI-VXI API functions for enabling  
triggers and interrupts, the controller parameter is ignored. If you need  
to enable a remote controller for triggers, use the MAX frame resource to  
map the trigger back to the local controller. Refer to the NI-VISA Help for  
additional information.  
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The interrupt and trigger routing in the NI-VXI 3.0 or later low-level  
drivers is somewhat different from the default routing in previous versions  
of NI-VXI. Therefore, the compatibility layer may behave differently than  
the original NI-VXI API with regard to these settings. In particular, if you  
are receiving triggers on an external controller, you may need to modify the  
trigger configuration on your extender module using MAX. Consult the  
manual for your extender module for details. In general, interrupts are  
routed automatically based on the interrupt configuration the resource  
manager detects. Whether the changed routing behavior affects your  
program is application dependent.  
Because VISA is an instrument-centric API, certain functions from the  
more controller-centric NI-VXI API do not match perfectly with a VISA  
counterpart. When an application enables an event with the NI-VXI API  
compatibility layer, each logical address is enabled for that event  
separately. For example, if the application enables an interrupt level, VISA  
will enable the interrupt on each logical address, one at a time, until all the  
devices are enabled. This means that some interrupts could be lost from  
devices with higher numbered logical addresses. MAX provides an  
option for users to pick which logical address is enabled first. Select  
Tools»NI-VXI»VXI Options. Set Prioritized Signal LA to the logical  
address of the device that generates the events. This prevents possible loss  
of events from that device.  
Debugging  
NI Spy and VISAIC are useful utilities for identifying the causes of  
problems in your application, and are installed by default with your NI-VXI  
installation.  
NI Spy tracks the calls your application makes to National Instruments  
programming interfaces, including NI-VISA, NI-VXI, and NI-488. NI Spy  
highlights functions that return errors, so during development you can  
quickly spot which functions failed during a program’s execution. NI Spy  
can log the calls your program makes to these drivers so you can check  
them for errors at your convenience, or use the NI Spy log as a reference  
when discussing the problem with National Instruments technical  
support. Figure 3-4 shows an example of an error returned from a  
call to viMemAlloc.  
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Figure 3-4. NI Spy  
VISAIC, as shown in Figure 3-5, is an excellent platform for quickly  
testing instruments and learning how to communicate with them. This  
utility is further discussed in the Device Interaction section of this chapter.  
Figure 3-5. VISAIC  
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A
Specifications  
This appendix lists the specifications for the VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller.  
Power Requirement  
Current  
Voltage  
Typical (DC)  
1.600 A  
Dynamic  
+5 V  
+12 V  
–5.2 V  
–2 V  
1.600 A  
0.020 A  
0.125 A  
0.125 A  
0.020 A  
0.177 A  
0.060 A  
EXT CLK  
Output Drive .......................................... 50 Ω source terminated 24 mA  
output driver  
VOL ......................................................... <800 mV  
VOH......................................................... >2.0 V  
Input Buffer............................................ TTL compatible input buffer  
TRIG IN  
Input Buffer............................................ TTL compatible input buffer  
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Specifications  
TRIG OUT  
Output Drive...........................................50 Ω source terminated 40 mA  
output driver  
VOL..........................................................<800 mV  
VOH .........................................................>2.0 V  
Physical  
Size .........................................................C size, C-1  
Dimensions ............................................. 23.3 × 43.0 cm (9.2 × 13.4 in.)  
Weight ....................................................1.292 kg (45.6 oz)  
I/O connectors  
SMB.................................................3  
Slot requirements....................................Single VXI C-size slot  
Compatibility..........................................Fully compatible with VXI  
specification  
VXI keying class ....................................Class 1 TTL  
MTBF .....................................................Contact factory  
Environmental  
Maximum altitude...................................2,000 m  
Pollution Degree.....................................2  
Indoor use only.  
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Specifications  
Operating Environment  
Ambient temperature range.................... 0 to 55 °C (Tested in accordance  
with IEC-60068-2-1 and  
IEC-60068-2-2: meets  
MIL-PRF-28800F Class 3 low  
temperature limit and  
MIL-PRF-28800F Class 2 high  
temperature limit.)  
Relative humidity range......................... 10% to 90% (Tested in  
accordance with  
IEC-60068-2-56.)  
Storage Environment  
Ambient temperature range.................... –40 to 85 °C (Tested in  
accordance with IEC-60068-2-1  
and IEC-60068-2-2; meets  
MIL-PRF-28800F Class 3 limits.)  
Relative humidity range......................... 5% to 95% (Tested in accordance  
with IEC-60068-2-56.)  
EMI ........................................................ FCC Class A verified, EC verified  
Shock and Vibration  
Operational shock .................................. 30 g peak, half-sine, 11 ms pulse  
(Tested in accordance with  
IEC-60068-2-27; meets  
MIL-PRF-28800F Class 2 limits.)  
Random vibration  
Operating ........................................ 5 to 500 Hz, 0.3 grms  
Nonoperating .................................. 5 to 500 Hz, 2.4 grms  
(Tested in accordance with  
IEC-60068-2-64. Nonoperating  
test profile exceeds the  
requirements of  
MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 3.)  
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Appendix A  
Specifications  
Safety  
This product is designed to meet the requirements of the following  
standards of safety for electrical equipment for measurement, control,  
and laboratory use:  
IEC 61010-1, EN-61010-1  
UL 61010-1, CSA 61010-1  
Note For UL and other safety certifications, refer to the product label or visit ni.com/  
certification, search by model number or product line, and click the appropriate link  
in the Certification column.  
Electromagnetic Compatibility  
This product is designed to meet the requirements of the following  
standards of EMC for electrical equipment for measurement, control,  
and laboratory use:  
EN 61326 EMC requirements; Minimum Immunity  
EN 55011 Emissions; Group 1, Class A  
CE, C-Tick, ICES, and FCC Part 15 Emissions; Class A  
Note For EMC compliance, operate this device according to product documentation.  
CE Compliance  
This product meets the essential requirements of applicable European  
Directives, as amended for CE marking, as follows:  
2006/95/EC; Low-Voltage Directive (safety)  
2004/108/EC; Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC)  
Note Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional  
regulatory compliance information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit ni.com/  
certification, search by model number or product line, and click the appropriate link  
in the Certification column.  
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Appendix A  
Specifications  
Environmental Management  
National Instruments is committed to designing and manufacturing  
products in an environmentally responsible manner. NI recognizes that  
eliminating certain hazardous substances from our products is beneficial  
not only to the environment but also to NI customers.  
For additional environmental information, refer to the NI and the  
Environment Web page at ni.com/environment. This page contains the  
environmental regulations and directives with which NI complies, as well  
as other environmental information not included in this document.  
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)  
EU Customers At the end of their life cycle, all products must be sent to a WEEE recycling  
center. For more information about WEEE recycling centers and National Instruments  
WEEE initiatives, visit ni.com/environment/weee.htm.  
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RoHS  
ni.com/environment/rohs_china  
(For information about China RoHS compliance, go to  
.)  
Cleaning  
If you need to clean the module, use a soft, nonmetallic brush. Make sure  
that the module is completely dry and free from contaminants before  
returning it to service.  
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B
Default Settings  
This appendix summarizes the default settings for the hardware and  
software in the VXI-MXI-Express kit. If you need more information  
about a particular setting or want to try a different configuration, refer  
to Appendix C, Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings, for your  
hardware reference and to the MAX online help for your software  
reference.  
Default Hardware Settings  
Figure B-1 and Table B-1 show the factory-default settings of the  
user-configurable jumpers on the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.  
Tables B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, and B-6 show user-configurable settings  
in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).  
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Appendix B  
Default Settings  
W2—SMB CLK10 DIR  
1-2—IN (DFLT)  
2-3—OUT  
W4—CLK10 SOURCE SELECT  
1-2—INTERNAL OSC (DFLT)  
2-3—EXTERNAL SOURCE  
W7—TRIG CARD CLK10 DIR  
1-2—OUT  
W3—EXT. SOURCE SELECT  
1-2—SMB (DFLT)  
W5—MITE CONFIG  
1-2—FACTORY  
2-3—IN  
2-3—TRIGGER CARD  
2-3—USER (DFLT)  
W2  
W3  
W4  
W5  
W7  
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
2
1
4
6
5
W8  
J2  
W8—MITE SELF CONFIG  
1-2—DISABLE  
3
2-3—ENABLE (DFLT)  
J2—SLOT 0 DETECT  
1-2—NON-SLOT 0  
3-4—AUTO DETECT (DFLT)  
5-6—SLOT 0  
Figure B-1. VXI-MXI-Express Shipping Configuration Settings  
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Appendix B  
Default Settings  
Table B-1. VXI-MXI-Express Series Controller Hardware Default Settings  
Jumper  
W2  
Description  
SMB CLK10 DIR  
Setting  
1–2 In (Default)  
2–3 Out  
W3  
W4  
W5  
W7  
W8  
J2  
External CLK10 Source Select  
CLK10 Source Select  
MITE Configuration  
1–2 SMB (Default)  
2–3 Trigger Card  
1–2 Internal Osc. (Default)  
2–3 Exteranl Source  
1–2 Factory  
2–3 User (Default)  
Trigger Card CLK10 Direction  
MITE Self Configuration  
Slot 0 Detect  
1–2 Out  
2–3 IN  
1–2 Disable  
2–3 Enable (Default)  
1–2 Non-Slot 0  
3–4 Auto Detect (Default)  
5–6 Slot 0  
Default Software Settings  
The following hardware configurations are available through  
Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).  
Table B-2. MAX Device Tab Default Settings  
Editor Field  
Device class  
Number of handlers  
Default Setting  
Message-based  
1
Table B-3. MAX Shared Memory Tab Default Settings  
Editor Field  
Don’t share memory  
A24/A32 write posting  
Default Setting  
Enabled  
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Appendix B  
Default Settings  
Table B-4. MAX VXI Bus Tab Default Settings  
Editor Field Default Setting  
Bus timeout value  
VXI retry generation  
Automatic retries  
VXI transfer limit  
A24/A32 write posting  
Requester mode  
500 μs  
Enabled  
Enabled  
256  
Enabled  
Release on Request  
3
Request level  
Operate as fair requester  
Bus arbitration mode  
Arbiter timeout  
Enabled  
Prioritized  
Disabled  
Table B-5. MAX PCI Tab Default Settings  
Editor Field Default Setting  
Low-level register access  
API support  
Enabled  
User window size  
DMA setting  
512 kKB  
Enable DMA on this controller  
Table B-6. MAX SMB Tab Default Settings  
Editor Field  
CLK10 50 Ω termination  
Invert CLK10 polarity  
TRIG IN 50 Ω termination  
Default Setting  
Disabled  
Enabled  
Disabled  
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C
Advanced Hardware  
Configuration Settings  
This appendix describes the alternate hardware configuration settings for  
the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller. The board is set at the factory  
for the most commonly used configuration. Use this appendix if you  
want to try a different hardware configuration or if you would like more  
information on a particular setting. This information is intended for more  
advanced users.  
The following hardware configuration settings are user configurable.  
Slot 0 detection  
VXIbus CLK10 routing  
SMB Trigger I/O  
Backplane trigger I/O  
For the configuration switch locations and default settings, see Figure B-1,  
VXI-MXI-Express Shipping Configuration Settings.  
Note Do not attempt an alternate setting unless you are familiar with its purpose.  
In addition, do not reconfigure any switches or jumpers not described in this appendix  
unless directed by National Instruments support.  
Slot 0 Detection  
The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller is configured at the factory to  
automatically detect if it is installed in Slot 0 of a VXI mainframe. With  
automatic System Controller slot detection the VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller can be installed in any VXIbus slot.  
The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller can be manually configured for  
either System Controller or Non-System Controller operation by defeating  
the automatic detection circuitry. Use the three position jumper J2 as shown  
in Figure C-1 to select between automatic detection, System Controller, or  
Non-System Controller.  
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Appendix C  
Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings  
2
1
4
3
6
5
2
1
4
3
6
5
2
1
4
3
6
5
J2  
J2  
J2  
a. Non-Slot 0/  
Non-System  
Controller  
b. Auto Detect  
(Default)  
c. Slot 0/  
System  
Controller  
Figure C-1. Slot 0 Detection through the J2 Jumper  
Caution Do not install a device configured as the System Controller in any slot other  
than Slot 0. When installing into a slot other than Slot 0, first reconfigure it as either a  
Non-System Controller or for automatic detection. Failing to do so may result in damage  
to the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller and/or the backplane.  
When the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller installed in Slot 0 of a VXI  
system it becomes the VXIbus System Controller. As the System Controller  
the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller has VXIbus Data Transfer Arbiter  
circuitry that accepts bus requests on all four VXIbus request levels,  
prioritizes the requests, and grants the bus to the highest priority requester.  
As the VXIbus System Controller the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller  
also drives the 16 MHz VXIbus system clock via an onboard 16 MHz  
oscillator. As required by the specification, when installed in Slot 0, the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller drives CLK10, a differential ECL  
output, to the VXIbus backplane. When the system is not installed in Slot 0  
it will only receive the CLK10 signal.  
MITE EEPROM  
User/Factory Configuration  
The EEPROM is divided into two halves—one half is factory configured  
and one half is user configurable. Use jumper W5 to control whether the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller boots off the factory-configured  
EEPROM settings or the user-modified settings. In its default setting, the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller boots off the user-configurable half.  
This jumper is useful in the event that the user-configured half  
of the EEPROM becomes corrupted in such a way that the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller boots to an unusable state. By  
changing this jumper setting, you can boot to the factory configuration and  
get up and running again. Use the procedure as described in the How to Fix  
an Invalid EEPROM Configuration section of this manual.  
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Appendix C  
Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings  
Figure C-2 shows the configuration settings for EEPROM operation.  
W5  
W5  
1
2
3
1
2
3
a. Boot from User  
Configuration (Default)  
b. Boot from Protected  
Configuration  
Figure C-2. EEPROM Configuration  
Power-On Self Configuration  
The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller has an onboard EEPROM, which  
stores default register values for the VXI circuitry. These values are loaded  
when you power up the computer. The values read from the EEPROM  
program the PCI interface and the VXIbus registers so that the VXI  
interface is ready to respond to Resource Manager accesses within the  
required 5 seconds of SYSRST# deasserting.  
You can disable this power-on self-configuration (POSC) circuit by  
changing switch W8. Although this makes the VXI circuitry unusable,  
it is sometimes helpful in debugging address and interrupt conflicts  
with add-in boards. In general, however, you should leave W8 in its  
factory-default setting. Figure C-3 shows the possible configurations  
for W8.  
1 2 3  
1 2 3  
W8  
W8  
a. Enable (default)  
b. Disable  
Figure C-3. Power-on Self Configuration Status  
How to Fix an Invalid EEPROM Configuration  
Use MAX under Windows to edit the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller  
configuration. Some of these settings are stored in files that the NI-VXI  
software reads, while other settings are stored directly in the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller EEPROM.  
Certain EEPROM configurations, including invalid configurations, can  
lock up your computer while it is booting. Generally, only the size and  
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Appendix C  
Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings  
location of the memory windows can cause the VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller to lock up your system. For example, many PCI-based computers  
will not boot if a board in its system requests more memory space than the  
computer can allocate. If you encounter this situation, you should reduce  
the size of the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller user memory window.  
The EEPROM can become corrupted if the VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller is shut down while it is updating the EEPROM.  
If one of these situations occurs after you change the configuration,  
complete the following steps to reconfigure the VXI-MXI-Express  
Series controller.  
1. Power off your computer.  
Caution To protect both yourself and the mainframe from electrical hazards,  
the mainframe should remain off until you finish changing the settings on the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.  
2. Change jumper W5 to the position shown in Figure C-2b to restore the  
factory configuration.  
3. Power on the computer. The computer should boot this time because  
the factory-default configuration is being used to initialize the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.  
4. Run your software configuration utility to re-adjust the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller configuration.  
5. After saving the configuration, exit Windows and power off the  
computer.  
6. Change jumper W5 to the default position, as shown in Figure C-2a.  
7. Power on the computer. If the computer does not boot with this  
configuration, you will need to repeat these steps, modifying your  
configuration until a final configuration is reached.  
VXIbus CLK10 Routing  
When the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller is installed in Slot 0 of your  
mainframe, it supplies the VXIbus CLK10 signal. Three different sources  
for CLK10 are available with the VXI-8360T:  
The internal 10 MHz 100 ppm CLK10 oscillator. This is the default  
CLK10 source.  
The front panel CLK10 SMB. When configured as an input the front  
panel SMB allows an external source to be used as the source for the  
VXIbus CLK10 signal.  
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Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings  
The front panel TRIG/CLK PORT A(B). CLK10 can be routed into the  
VXI-8360T from another VXI-8360T through the TRIG/CLK PORT  
A(B) on the front panel. Onboard jumpers are used to set this  
configuration.  
Front Panel SMB Direction Control  
W2—SMB CLK10 Direction  
This jumper allows you to configure the front panel SMB connector on the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.  
The default jumper position, shown in Figure C-4a, In, shuts off CLK10 to  
the front panel SMB connector. Use jumpers W4 and W3 to configure the  
front panel SMB as an input for CLK10. In non-Slot 0 operation the SMB  
cannot be configured as an input as only the Slot 0 controller is allowed to  
supply CLK10 to the VXI backplane.  
Setting the W2 jumper to Out, as shown in Figure C-4b, routes the VXIbus  
CLK10 to the front panel SMB connector. In non-Slot 0 operation this  
jumper will also route the VXIbus CLK10 out of the front panel SMB  
connector.  
W2  
W2  
Set this jumper to OUT to route  
CLK10 out of the front panel  
SMB connector.  
1
2
3
1
2
3
Setting this jumper to IN turns off  
the SMB. Use jumpers W3 and W4  
to configure the SMB as an input  
when in Slot 0 operation.  
a. IN (default)  
b. OUT  
Figure C-4. Setting the Front Panel CLK10 SMB Direction with Jumper W2  
Selecting the CLK10 Source  
W3—External CLK10 Source Select  
When W4—CLK10 Source Select is set to select an external CLK10  
source, W3 is used to select between two external CLK10 sources.  
The default setting, shown in Figure C-5a, SMB, selects the front  
panel SMB connector as the external CLK10 source. There is no need  
to set the direction of the SMB with jumper W2 as the controller will  
set the SMB as an input for you.  
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Appendix C  
Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings  
Set the W3 jumper to TRIG/CLK PORT A(B), shown  
in Figure C-5b, to select the CLK10 source as the  
TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) on the VXI-8360T front panel. When  
selecting the trigger card as the CLK10 input source be sure  
to set jumper W7 to set the direction of CLK10 through the  
TRIG/CLK PORT A(B).  
W3  
W3  
1
2
3
1
2
3
When W3 is set to select the  
TRIG/CLK PORT as the CLK10  
source, use jumper W7 to set  
the direction of CLK10 through  
the TRIG/CLK PORT.  
a. Front Panel  
b. Front Panel  
SMB Connector TRIG/CLK PORT  
(Default)  
Figure C-5. Selecting the External CLK10 Source with the W3 Jumper  
W4—CLK10 Source Select  
In Slot 0 operation the CLK10 Source Select jumper allows you to select  
the source for the VXIbus CLK10 that is routed to the backplane.  
The default setting, Internal Oscillator, shown in Figure C-6a, uses the  
internal 10MHz 100 ppm oscillator as the VXIbus CLK10 source.  
Set the W4 jumper to External Source, shown in Figure C-6b, to use the  
front panel SMB or the TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) as the CLK10 source.  
Jumper W3 External CLK10 Source Select is used in conjunction with W4  
when W4 is set to select an external oscillator as the VXIbus CLK10  
source.  
W4  
W4  
1
2
3
1
2
3
When W4 is set to select an external  
CLK10 source, use jumper W3 to select  
between the front panel SMB connector  
or the TRIG/CLK PORT A(B).  
a. Internal  
10 MHz  
Oscillator  
(Default)  
b. External  
10 MHz  
Source  
Figure C-6. Selecting the CLK10 Source with the W4 Jumper  
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Appendix C  
Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings  
TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) Direction  
W7—Trigger Card CLK10 Dir  
This jumper allows you to configure the direction of CLK10 through the  
TRIG/CLK PORT A(B).  
In Slot 0 operation with jumpers W4 set for an external source and W3  
set for the front panel TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) set this jumper to In, as  
shown in Figure C-7a, to route CLK10 in from another NI VXI-8360T  
to the VXI backplane. In non-slot 0 operation the In setting has no  
effect.  
In Slot 0 and non-Slot 0 operation setting this jumper to Out,  
as shown in Figure C-7b, routes the VXIbus CLK10 out of the  
TRIG/CLK PORT A(B).  
W7  
W7  
Set this jumper to OUT to route CLK10  
out of the TRIG/CLK PORT.  
1
2
3
1
2
3
Set this jumper to IN when the NI VXI-8360T  
is in Slot 0 and W3 and W4 are configured to  
select the TRIG/CLK PORT as the external  
CLK10 source. Otherwise leave W7 set to IN  
for other W3 and W4 combinations.  
a. IN  
(Default)  
b. OUT  
Figure C-7. Setting the TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) Direction with Jumper W7  
Optional CLK10 Settings  
Inverting CLK10  
If the front panel SMB connector EXT CLK is configured as an output this  
software setting provides the capability to invert the clock output. This  
setting can be found in the hardware configuration panels in MAX as  
shown in Figure C-8.  
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Appendix C  
Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings  
Figure C-8. Inverting the CLK10 Signal through MAX  
CLK10 Termination  
If the front panel SMB connector EXT CLK is configured as an input  
this software setting can enable 50 Ω parallel termination. This setting  
can be found in the hardware configuration panels in MAX, as shown in  
Figure C-8.  
Trigger Input Termination  
Optional software enabled 50 Ω parallel termination is available for the  
front panel trigger input. This setting can be found in the hardware  
configuration panels in MAX, as shown in Figure C-8.  
Note Parallel termination is not necessary when the signal is driven by a 50 Ω source, such  
as a VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.  
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D
Using The Trigger Ports On The  
VXI-8360T  
The NI VXI-8360T allows you to extend the 8 TTL backplane triggers and  
CLK10 between chassis through convenient front panel connectors. Each  
trigger and the CLK are independently configurable as either inputs or  
outputs of the frame. The trigger bus is connected in a daisy chain topology  
and can support up to six (6) devices with a total of 19 m of cables.  
Cautions The trigger bus uses the MXI-Express x4 cables, however these are not  
MXI-Express x4 ports. Do not connect the trigger ports to a MXI-Express x4 or  
PCI Express x4 device.  
The trigger bus may be able to support more devices and/or greater cable lengths, but these  
configurations have not been validated by National Instruments and are not currently  
supported.  
Connecting the Trigger Port Cables  
When connecting the cables between two devices on the trigger bus,  
always ensure you connect TRIG/CLK PORT A of one device to  
TRIG/CLK PORT B of the second device, or TRIG/CLK PORT B  
of one device to TRIG/CLK PORT A of the second device, as shown  
in Figure D-1. The front panel LED will blink red if the cables are not  
connected correctly. The LED will be lit steady state green if they are  
connected properly.  
Note Trigger bus cables may be removed and inserted while power is on.  
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Appendix D  
Using The Trigger Ports On The VXI-8360T  
1
5
4
2
3
To host controller  
1
2
3
TRIG/CLK PORT A  
TRIG/CLK PORT B  
VXI-8360T Controller in Slot 0  
4
5
Trigger Cable  
VXI Mainframe  
Figure D-1. VXI-MXI-Express Series Controller Trigger Cabling  
Software Configuration  
Triggers are mapped into and out of your NI VXI-8360T though software  
using the following steps.  
1. Open MAX.  
2. Find your device under Devices and Interfaces.  
3. Right click on your device and select Properties.  
4. Click on the Signal Mappings Tab.  
5. From each TTL Trigger select Into the Frame, Out of the Frame,  
or None.  
6. Click OK and re-run the VXI Resource Manager (Resman) for the  
changes to take effect.  
Note Do not map the same trigger out of the frame on more than one device on the trigger  
bus. This will cause the bus to be driven by more than one device. Protection circuitry  
prevents this from causing physical damage, however your setup will not function properly.  
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E
VMEbus Capability Codes  
This appendix summarizes the VMEbus capability codes for the hardware  
and software in the VXI-MXI-Express kit.  
VMEbus Capability Codes  
Capability Code  
A32, A24, A16 (master)  
A32, A24, A16 (slave)  
D32, D16, D08(EO) (master)  
D32, D16, D08(EO) (slave)  
BLT, MBLT (master)  
BLT, MBLT (slave)  
RMW (master)  
Description  
VMEbus master A32, A24, and A16 addressing  
VMEbus slave A32, A24, and A16 addressing  
VMEbus master D32, D16, and D08 data sizes  
VMEbus slave D32, D16, and D08 data sizes  
VMEbus master block and D64 transfers  
VMEbus slave block and D64 transfers  
VMEbus master read/modify/write transfers  
VMEbus slave read/modify/write transfers  
VMEbus master retry support  
RMW (slave)  
RETRY (master)  
RETRY (slave)  
VMEbus slave retry support  
FSD  
First slot detector  
SCON  
VMEbus System Controller  
PRI, RRS  
Prioritized or Round Robin Select arbiter  
Release on Request and FAIR bus requester  
Interrupt handler for levels 7–1  
ROR, FAIR  
IH(7–1)  
I(7–1)  
Interrupt requester for levels 7–1  
D32, D16, D08(O) (Interrupt Handler)  
D32, D16, D08(O) (Interrupter)  
VMEbus D32, D16, D08(O) interrupt handler  
VMEbus D32, D16, D08(O) interrupter  
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Appendix E  
VMEbus Capability Codes  
Capability Code  
Description  
ROAK, RORA  
BTO(x)  
Release on Acknowledge or Register Access interrupter  
VMEbus bus timer (programmable limit)  
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F
Common Questions  
This appendix addresses common questions you may have about using the  
NI-VISA/NI-VXI software on the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller  
platform.  
What is the maximum length of the VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller copper cable?  
The maximum length for the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller copper  
cable is 7 m. National Instruments offers 1 m, 3 m, and 7 m copper cables.  
I need more devices than can fit in one chassis. How can I expand my  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller system?  
Many applications can be easily extended to multiple chassis by adding  
additional VXI-MXI-Express Series controllers to the host computer  
and using the trigger and clock sharing features of the VXI-8360T to  
synchronize events between chassis. In the event that VXI or VME bus  
mastering devices must communicate to devices in other chassis directly,  
National Instruments recommends that you use a VXI-MXI-2 interface,  
which implements the VXI-6 specification for mainframe extension. This  
extends full VXI functionality across multiple mainframes, including a  
common device address space, interframe triggering, interrupts, and bus  
mastering. Place a VXI-MXI-2 in the same mainframe with the Slot 0  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller, and another VXI-MXI-2 in Slot 0 of  
the next mainframe. You can then fill up this mainframe with additional  
devices. Refer to the MXI-2 Configuration Reference Manual available at  
ni.comfor additional configuration instructions.  
How can I determine the serial number of the VXI-MXI-Express  
Series controller?  
This information is displayed in the title bar of the Hardware Configuration  
window in MAX.  
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Appendix F  
Common Questions  
What is Resman?  
Resman is the utility that performs the duties of a VXI Resource Manager  
as discussed in the VXIbus specification. When you set a National  
Instruments controller to Logical Address 0, you will at some point need to  
run Resman to configure your VXI instruments. If your controller uses a  
different (nonzero) logical address and is a message-based device, you need  
to start Resman before running it on the Logical Address 0 computer.  
When do I need to run Resman?  
Run Resman whenever you need to configure your VXI instruments (for  
example, when you power cycle either the host computer or the chassis).  
Which NI-VXI utility program must I use to configure the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller?  
Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to configure the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller. MAX is in the National  
Instrumentsprogram group folder, and a shortcut is on your desktop.  
How do I handle VME devices?  
Although there is no way to automatically detect VME devices in a system,  
you can add them easily through the Add Device Wizard in MAX. Through  
this procedure, you can reserve resources for each of your VME devices  
and configure MAX to show VME devices on the screen with all your other  
devices.  
Which NI-VXI utility program must I use to perform startup Resource  
Manager operations?  
Use the Resman program to perform startup Resource Manager operations  
in Start»Programs»National Instruments»VXI. Resman uses the  
settings configured in MAX. It initializes your VXI/VMEbus system and  
makes the information it collects accessible through MAX. You can also  
run Resource Manager operations from MAX. Through MAX, you can also  
configure Resman to run automatically at Windows startup.  
What can I do to make sure that my system is up and running?  
The fastest method for testing the system is to run Resman. This program  
attempts to access memory in the upper A16 address space of each  
device in the system. If Resman does not report any problems, the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller communication system is operational.  
To test individual devices, you can use the VIC or VISAIC program to  
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Appendix F  
Common Questions  
interactively issue NI-VXI functions or NI-VISA operations, respectively.  
You can use viIn()and viOut()with the NI-VISA API (or VXIin()or  
VXIinReg()and VXIout()or VXIoutReg()with the NI-VXI API) to  
test register-based devices by programming their registers. If you have  
any message-based devices, you can send and receive messages with the  
viRead()and viWrite()operations in the NI-VISA API (or WSrd()  
and WSwrt()functions in the NI-VXI API). Notice that VXIinReg()and  
VXIoutReg()are for VXI devices only, but you can use VXIin()and  
VXIout()for both VXI and VME. Finally, if you are using LabVIEW or  
LabWindows/CVI and you have instrument drivers for the devices in your  
chassis, you can use the interactive features of these programs to quickly  
test the functionality of the devices.  
What do the LEDs on the front of the VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller mean?  
The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller has the following front panel  
LEDs:  
FAILED—Indicates the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller failed  
power on diagnostics.  
SYSFAIL—Indicates the VMEbus SYSFAIL line has been asserted  
on the backplane.  
ONLINE —Indicates the board is detected and ready for use.  
ACCESS—Indicates a VXI bus master is accessing the  
VXI MXI-Express Series controller.  
CB—Indicates the circuit breaker has tripped from an over current  
condition on the +5.0 VDC rail of the VXI-MXI-Express Series  
controller.  
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 VXI-MXI-Express Series controller has been established.  
What kind of signal is CLK10 and what kind of signal do I need for an  
external CLK10?  
CLK10 is a differential ECL signal on the VXIbus backplane. However, the  
oscillator for the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller and the EXT CLK  
SMB input from the front panel are TTL. Therefore, supply a TTL-level  
signal at the EXT CLK SMB and onboard circuits convert the signal to  
differential ECL.  
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Appendix F  
Common Questions  
What is the accuracy of the CLK10 signal?  
The CLK10 generated by the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller is  
100 ppm per the VXI specification. To use a more accurate reference for  
CLK10, connect the signal to the controller through the EXT CLK SMB  
input on the front panel.  
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G
Technical Support and  
Professional Services  
Visit the following sections of the award-winning National Instruments  
Web site at ni.comfor technical support and professional services:  
Support—Technical support resources at ni.com/supportinclude  
the following:  
Self-Help Technical Resources—For answers and solutions,  
visit ni.com/supportfor software drivers and updates, a  
searchable KnowledgeBase, product manuals, step-by-step  
troubleshooting wizards, thousands of example programs,  
tutorials, application notes, instrument drivers, and so on.  
Registered users also receive access to the NI Discussion Forums  
at ni.com/forums. NI Applications Engineers make sure every  
question submitted online receives an answer.  
Standard Service Program Membership—This program  
entitles members to direct access to NI Applications Engineers  
via phone and email for one-to-one technical support as well as  
exclusive access to on demand training modules via the Services  
Resource Center. NI offers complementary membership for a full  
year after purchase, after which you may renew to continue your  
benefits.  
For information about other technical support options in your  
area, visit ni.com/services, or contact your local office at  
ni.com/contact.  
Training and Certification—Visit ni.com/trainingfor  
self-paced training, eLearning virtual classrooms, interactive CDs,  
and Certification program information. You also can register for  
instructor-led, hands-on courses at locations around the world.  
System Integration—If you have time constraints, limited in-house  
technical resources, or other project challenges, National Instruments  
Alliance Partner members can help. To learn more, call your local  
NI office or visit ni.com/alliance.  
Declaration of Conformity (DoC)—A DoC is our claim of  
compliance with the Council of the European Communities using  
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Appendix G  
Technical Support and Professional Services  
the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. This system affords  
the user protection for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and  
product safety. You can obtain the DoC for your product by visiting  
ni.com/certification.  
If you searched ni.comand could not find the answers you need, contact  
your local office or NI corporate headquarters. Phone numbers for our  
worldwide offices are listed at the front of this manual. You also can visit  
the Worldwide Offices section of ni.com/niglobalto access the branch  
office Web sites, which provide up-to-date contact information, support  
phone numbers, email addresses, and current events.  
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Glossary  
Symbol  
Prefix  
pico  
Value  
1012  
109  
10– 6  
103  
103  
p
n
nano  
micro  
milli  
kilo  
μ
m
k
M
G
T
mega  
giga  
106  
109  
tera  
1012  
Symbols  
°
Degrees.  
Ohms.  
Ω
A
A
Amperes.  
address  
Character code that identifies a specific location (or series of locations) in  
memory. In VISA, it identifies a resource.  
address modifier  
address space  
One of six signals in the VMEbus specification used by VMEbus masters  
to indicate the address space in which a data transfer is to take place.  
A set of 2n memory locations differentiated from other such sets in  
VXI/VMEbus systems by six addressing lines known as address modifiers.  
n is the number of address lines required to uniquely specify a byte location  
in a given space. Valid numbers for n are 16, 24, 32, and 64. In VME/VXI,  
because there are six address modifiers, there are 64 possible address  
spaces.  
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Glossary  
ANSI  
API  
American National Standards Institute  
Application Programming Interface—the direct interface that an end user  
sees when creating an application.  
arbitration  
A process in which a potential bus master gains control over a particular  
bus.  
B
B
Byte—eight related bits of data, an 8-bit binary number. Also used to  
denote the amount of memory required to store one byte of data.  
backplane  
An assembly, typically a printed circuit board, with 96-pin connectors and  
signal paths that bus the connector pins. A C-size VXIbus system will have  
two sets of bused connectors called J1 and J2. A D-size VXIbus system will  
have three sets of bused connectors called J1, J2, and J3.  
BERR*  
BIOS  
bus error signal  
Basic Input/Output System. BIOS functions are the fundamental level  
of any PC or compatible computer. BIOS functions embody the basic  
operations needed for successful use of the computer’s hardware resources.  
block-mode transfer  
An uninterrupted transfer of data elements in which the master sources only  
the first address at the beginning of the cycle. The slave is then responsible  
for incrementing the address on subsequent transfers so that the next  
element is transferred to or from the proper storage location. A VME  
data transfer may have no more than 256 elements.  
bus  
The group of conductors that interconnect individual circuitry in a  
computer. Typically, a bus is the expansion vehicle to which I/O or other  
devices are connected. Examples of buses include the ISA bus, PCI bus,  
VXI bus, and VME bus.  
bus error  
bus master  
An error that signals failed access to an address. Bus errors occur with  
low-level accesses to memory and usually involve hardware with bus  
mapping capabilities. For example, nonexistent memory, a nonexistent  
register, or an incorrect device access can cause a bus error.  
A device that is capable of requesting the Data Transfer Bus (DTB) for the  
purpose of accessing a slave device.  
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Glossary  
byte order  
How bytes are arranged within a word or how words are arranged within  
a longword. Motorola ordering stores the most significant byte (MSB)  
or word first, followed by the least significant byte (LSB) or word. Intel  
ordering stores the LSB or word first, followed by the MSB or word.  
C
C
Celsius  
CLK10  
A 10 MHz, 100 ppm, individually buffered (to each module slot),  
differential ECL system clock that is sourced from Slot 0 of a VXIbus  
mainframe and distributed to Slots 1 through 12 on P2. It is distributed to  
each slot as a single-source, single-destination signal with a matched delay  
of under 8 ns.  
Commander  
A message-based device that is also a bus master and can control one or  
more Servants.  
configuration registers  
A set of registers through which the system can identify a module  
device type, model, manufacturer, address space, and memory  
requirements. To support automatic system and memory configuration,  
the VXI specification requires that all VXIbus devices have a set of such  
registers.  
D
Data Transfer Bus  
DTB; one of four buses on the VMEbus backplane. The DTB is used by a  
bus master to transfer binary data between itself and a slave device.  
DMA  
Direct Memory Access—a method by which data is transferred between  
devices and internal memory without intervention of the central processing  
unit. DMA is the fastest method of transferring data to/from computer  
memory.  
DRAM  
Dynamic RAM (Random Access Memory)—storage that the computer  
must refresh at frequent intervals.  
dynamic  
configuration  
A method of automatically assigning logical addresses to VXIbus devices  
at system startup or other configuration times.  
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Glossary  
dynamically  
configured device  
A device that has its logical address assigned by the Resource Manager.  
AVXI device initially responds at Logical Address 255 when its MODID  
line is asserted. The Resource Manager subsequently assigns it a new  
logical address, to which the device responds until powered down.  
E
ECL  
Emitter-Coupled Logic  
EEPROM  
Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory—ROM that  
can be erased with an electrical signal and reprogrammed.  
embedded controller  
An intelligent CPU (controller) interface plugged directly into the VXI  
backplane, giving it direct access to the VXIbus. It must have all of its  
required VXI interface capabilities built in.  
EMC  
electromagnetic compliance  
EMI  
electromagnetic interference  
external trigger  
A voltage pulse from an external source that triggers an event.  
F
fair requester  
A VXIbus device that will not arbitrate for the VXIbus after releasing  
it until it detects the bus request signal inactive. This ensures that all  
requesting devices will be granted use of the bus.  
firmware  
Software embedded in the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller, contained  
on EEPROM and flash memory that can be updated with a special utility  
(part of MAX). In combination with the hardware, the firmware enables the  
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller to act as a translator between USB and  
VXI protocols.  
G
g
(1) grams  
2
(2) a measure of acceleration equal to 9.8 m/s  
GPIB  
General Purpose Interface Bus (IEEE 488)  
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Glossary  
gRMS  
A measure of random vibration. The root mean square of acceleration  
levels in a random vibration test profile.  
H
hex  
Hexadecimal—the numbering system with base 16, using the digits 0 to 9  
and letters A to F.  
Hz  
hertz; cycles per second  
I
I/O  
Input/output—the techniques, media, and devices used to achieve  
communication between machines and users.  
IEC  
International Electrotechnical Commission. The IEC publishes  
internationally recognized standards. IEC 60068 contains information  
on environmental testing procedures and severities.  
IEEE  
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers  
inches  
in.  
instrument driver  
A set of routines designed to control a specific instrument or family of  
instruments, and any necessary related files for LabWindows/CVI or  
LabVIEW.  
interrupt  
A means for a device to request service from another device; a computer  
signal indicating that the CPU should suspend its current task to service a  
designated activity.  
interrupt handler  
A VMEbus functional module that detects interrupt requests generated by  
interrupters and responds to those requests by requesting status and identify  
information.  
interrupt level  
IRQ*  
The relative priority at which a device can interrupt.  
interrupt signal  
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Glossary  
K
K
kilo—the prefix for 1,024, or 210, used with B (byte) in quantifying data or  
computer memory.  
k
kilo—the standard metric prefix for 1,000, or 103, used with units of  
measure such as volts, hertz, and meters.  
L
logical address  
An 8-bit number that uniquely identifies each VXIbus device in a system.  
It defines the A16 register address of a device, and indicates Commander  
and Servant relationships.  
M
m
meters  
M
mega—(1) the standard metric prefix for 1 million or 106, when used with  
units of measure such as volts and hertz; (2) the prefix for 1,048,576, or 220,  
when used with B (byte) to quantify data or computer memory.  
master  
A functional part of a VME/VXIbus device that initiates data transfers on  
the backplane. A transfer can be either a read or a write.  
message-based  
device  
An intelligent device that implements the defined VXIbus registers and  
communication protocols. These devices are able to use Word Serial  
Protocol to communicate with one another through communication  
registers.  
MODID  
Module ID lines—used in VXI to geographically locate boards and to  
dynamically configure boards.  
MTBF  
MXI-3  
Mean Time Between Failure  
A PCI Master/Slave system implementing the PCI-to-PCI Bridge register  
set. It couples two physically separate PCI buses with either a copper or  
fiber optic data link capable of 1.5 Gbits/s serial data rates.  
MXI-Express  
An extension of MXI based upon PCI Express. MXI-Express provides  
bandwidth of up to 110 MB/s.  
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Glossary  
N
NI-488.2 or  
NI-488.2M  
The National Instruments industry-standard software for controlling  
GPIB instruments.  
NI-DAQ  
The National Instruments industry-standard software for data acquisition  
instruments.  
NI-VISA  
The National Instruments implementation of the VISA standard; an  
interface-independent software that provides a unified programming  
interface for VXI, GPIB, and serial instruments.  
NI-VXI  
The National Instruments bus interface software for VME/VXIbus  
systems.  
Non-Slot 0 device  
A device configured for installation in any slot in a VXIbus mainframe  
other than Slot 0. Installing such a device into Slot 0 can damage the device,  
the VXIbus backplane, or both.  
P
PCI  
Peripheral Component Interconnect. The PCI bus is a high-performance  
32-bit or 64-bit bus with multiplexed address and data lines.  
PCI Express  
A serialized, highly scalable I/O interconnect standard that leverages  
existing PCI technology such as the software model and the load-store  
architecture.  
R
register-based device  
A Servant-only device that supports VXIbus configuration registers.  
Register-based devices are typically controlled by message-based devices  
via device-dependent register reads and writes.  
Resman  
The name of the National Instruments Resource Manager in NI-VXI bus  
interface software. See also Resource Manager.  
Resource Manager  
A message-based Commander located at Logical Address 0, which  
provides configuration management services such as address map  
configuration, Commander and Servant mappings, and self-test and  
diagnostic management.  
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Glossary  
retry  
An acknowledge by a destination that signifies that the cycle did not  
complete and should be repeated.  
RMS  
Root mean squared. See also gRMS.  
S
s
seconds  
slave  
A functional part of a VME/VXIbus device that detects data transfer cycles  
initiated by a VMEbus master and responds to the transfers when the  
address specifies one of the device’s registers.  
Slot 0 device  
A device configured for installation in Slot 0 of a VXIbus mainframe. This  
device is unique in the VXIbus system in that it performs the VXI/VMEbus  
System Controller functions, including clock sourcing and arbitration for  
data transfers across the backplane. Installing such a device into any other  
slot can damage the device, the VXIbus backplane, or both.  
SMB  
Sub Miniature Type B connector that features a snap coupling for fast  
connection.  
statically configured  
device  
A device whose logical address cannot be set through software; that is, it is  
not dynamically configurable.  
SYSFAIL  
A VMEbus signal that is used by a device to indicate an internal failure.  
A failed device asserts this line. In VXI, a device that fails also clears its  
PASSed bit in its Status register.  
T
trigger  
Either TTL or ECL lines used for intermodule communication.  
Transistor-Transistor Logic  
TTL  
U
USB  
Universal Serial Bus—a serial bus for connecting computers to keyboards,  
printers, and other peripheral devices.  
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V
V
volts  
VIC  
VXI Interactive Control program, a part of the NI-VXI bus interface  
software. Used to program VXI devices and develop and debug VXI  
application programs.  
VISA  
Virtual Instrument Software Architecture. This is the general name given  
to VISA and its associated architecture.  
VISAIC  
VISA Interactive Control program, a part of the NI-VISA software.  
Used to program devices and develop and debug application programs.  
VITA  
VME  
VMEbus International Trade Association  
Versa Module Eurocard or IEEE 1014  
VMEbus System  
Controller  
A device configured for installation in Slot 0 or a VXIbus mainframe or the  
first slot in a VMEbus chassis. This device is unique in the VMEbus system  
in that it performs the VMEbus System Controller functions, including  
clock sourcing and arbitration for data transfers across the backplane.  
Installing such a device into any other slot can damage the device, the  
VMEbus/VXIbus backplane, or both.  
VXIbus  
VMEbus Extensions for Instrumentation  
W
W
watts  
Word Serial Protocol  
The simplest required communication protocol supported by  
message-based devices in a VXIbus system. It utilizes the A16  
communication registers to transfer data using a simple polling handshake  
method.  
write posting  
A mechanism that signifies that a device will immediately give a successful  
acknowledge to a write transfer and place the transfer in a local buffer. The  
device can then independently complete the write cycle to the destination.  
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Index  
common questions, F-1  
compatibility layer options, 3-8  
compiler symbols, 3-8  
completing software installation, 2-2  
configuration, 2-1, 3-2  
A
advanced configuration options, 1-4  
advanced hardware configuration settings, C-1  
application development, 3-1  
configuration, 3-2  
advanced hardware settings, C-1  
advanced options, C-1  
slot 0 detection, C-1  
debugging, 3-9  
device interaction, 3-3  
optimizing large VXIbus transfers, 3-7  
slot 0 detection (figure), C-2  
VXI-8360T trigger ports, D-1  
VXI-MXI-Express shipping configuration  
C
cables, connecting, 2-6  
(figure), D-2  
connecting cables, 2-6  
conventions used in the manual, vii  
CE compliance specifications, A-4  
cleaning specifications, A-5  
CLK10 routing, VXI bus, C-4  
front panel SMB direction, C-5  
W2 jumper, C-5  
debugging, 3-9  
Declaration of Conformity (NI resources), G-1  
optional settings, C-7  
inverting CLK10, C-7  
inverting CLK10 (figure), C-8  
termination, C-8  
configuration, B-1  
hardware, B-1  
software, B-3  
developing applications, 3-1  
device interaction, 3-3  
device tab default settings (table), B-3  
diagnostic tools (NI resources), G-1  
documentation  
conventions used in manual, vii  
NI resources, G-1  
related documentation, viii  
drivers (NI resources), G-1  
selecting external source  
W3 jumper, C-5  
selecting source, C-5  
W4 jumper, C-6  
W4 jumper (figure), C-6  
TRIG/CLK port A/B direction, C-7  
W7 jumper, C-7  
CLK10 signal  
accuracy, F-4  
definition, F-3  
inverting (figure), C-8  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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Index  
E
EEPROM, C-3  
configuration, C-3  
electromagnetic compatibility, A-4  
environmental management  
LabVIEW, 1-5  
LabWindows/CVI, 1-5  
LEDs, F-3  
specifications, A-5  
examples (NI resources), G-1  
EXT CLK specifications, A-1  
M
PCI tab default settings (table), B-4  
shared memory tab default settings  
(table), B-3  
SMB tab default settings (table), B-4  
VXI bus tab default settings (table), B-4  
Measurement Studio, 1-5  
F
front panel features, 1-3  
G
getting started, 1-2  
MITE EEPROM  
H
See also EEPROM  
configuration, C-2  
hardware  
advanced configuration settings, C-1  
configuration, 2-3, 3-2  
user/factory configuration, C-2  
default settings, B-1  
description, 1-2  
determining serial number, F-1  
installation, 2-3  
N
National Instruments  
application software, 1-4  
support and services, G-1  
NI ExpressCard-8360 installation, 2-6  
NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362  
installation, 2-5  
VXI-8360T trigger port settings, D-1  
figure, 2-6  
NI Spy, 3-9  
figure, 3-10  
NI support and services, G-1  
NI-VISA, 1-4, 3-1  
I
installation, 2-1  
hardware, 2-3  
instrument drivers (NI resources), G-1  
introduction, 1-1  
inverting the CLK10 signal (figure), C-8  
examples (table), 3-7  
installation, 2-1  
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual  
Index-2  
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Index  
NI-VXI, 1-4, 3-1  
compatibility layer, 3-1  
safety specifications, A-4  
examples (table), 3-7  
installation, 2-1  
utility programs  
selecting controller in VISAIC (figure), 3-4  
(table), B-3  
using to perform startup Resource  
Manager operations, F-2  
shock and vibration specifications, A-3  
slot 0 detection  
configuration, C-1  
NI-VXI API, 3-1  
J2 jumper (figure), C-2  
SMB tab default settings (table), B-4  
software  
notes, 3-8  
configuration, 2-8  
installation, 2-1  
completing, 2-2  
NI resources, G-1  
verification, 2-8  
O
specifications  
CE compliance, A-4  
P
cleaning, A-5  
electromagnetic compatibility, A-4  
PCI tab default settings (table), B-4  
physical specifications, A-2  
Equipment (WEEE), A-5  
EXT CLK, A-1  
POSC (power-on self-configuration), C-3  
power requirement specifications, A-1  
power-on self-configuration (POSC), C-3  
R
physical, A-2  
power requirement, A-1  
safety, A-4  
related documentation, viii  
Resman, 1-4, F-2  
TRIG IN, A-1  
TRIG OUT, A-2  
running (figure), 3-3  
using to ensure system is up and  
running, F-2  
storage environment specifications, A-3  
support, technical, G-1  
when to run, F-2  
Resource Manager, 1-4  
© National Instruments Corporation  
Index-3  
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Index  
selecting source, C-5  
W4 jumper, C-6  
T
technical support, G-1  
W4 jumper (figure), C-6  
TRIG/CLK port A/B direction, C-7  
W7 jumper, C-7  
termination resistance for CLK10, C-8  
training and certification (NI resources), G-1  
TRIG IN specifications, A-1  
TRIG OUT specifications, A-2  
trigger ports  
cabling, D-1  
troubleshooting (NI resources), G-1  
VXI-MXI-Express series controller  
advanced configuration options, 1-4  
application development, 3-1  
common questions, F-1  
copper cable lengths, F-1  
U
ensuring that system is up and  
running, F-2  
expanding system, F-1  
front panel features, 1-3  
front panel LEDs, F-3  
getting started, 1-2  
V
VISAIC, 3-10  
figure, 3-10  
(figure), 3-5  
hardware  
configuration, 2-3  
description, 1-2  
VME devices, handling, F-2  
VMEbus capability codes  
list (table), E-1  
introduction, 1-1  
shipping configuration settings  
(figure), B-2  
software  
configuration and verification, 2-8  
VXI bus tab default settings (table), B-4  
VXI, programming for, 3-6  
VXI-8360T trigger ports, D-1  
VXIbus transfers, optimizing, 3-7  
VXIbus, CLK10 routing, C-4  
front panel SMB direction, C-5  
W2 jumper, C-5  
optional settings, C-7  
inverting CLK10, C-7  
figure, C-8  
W
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment  
(WEEE) specifications, A-5  
Web resources, G-1  
selecting external source  
W3 jumper, C-5  
VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual  
Index-4  
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