©NationalInstruments Corporation 1-1 NI8171 Series User Manual
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Introduction

Benefits of PXI

The PXIbus specification defines a compact modular PCp latform for
industrialinstrumentation. PXI leverages the PCI bus, which is the de facto
standardfor today’s desktop computer software and hardware designs. As
aresult, PXI users receive all the benefits of PCI within an architecture that
supportsmechanical, electrical, and software features tailored to industrial
instrumentation, data acquisition, and automation applications.
Well-suitedfor industrial applications, PXI leverages from the
CompactPCIspecification, which defines a rugged form factor for PCI that
offerssuperior mechanical integrity and easy install ation and removalof
hardwarecomponent s. PXI products offerhigher and more carefully
definedlevels of environmental performance required by the vibration,
shock, temperature, and humidity extremesof industrial environments.
PXI adds mandatory environmentaltesting an d activecooling to the
CompactPCIm echanicalspecification to ease system integration and
ensuremultivendor interoperability.
Additionally,PXI meets the more specific needs of instrumentation users
byadding an integrated trigger bus and reference clock for multiple-board
synchronization, a star trigger bus for veryprecise timing, an d local buses
forside-band communication between adjacent peripherals.

NI 8171 Series

Description

The NI 8171 series PXI/CompactPCI embedded computer is a
high-performance PXI/CompactPCI-compatible systemcontroller. The
NI8171 series controllersintegrate standard I/O features in a single unit by
usingstate-of-the-art packaging. Combining a NI 8171 series embedded
controllerwith a PXI-compatible chassis, such as the PXI-1000B, results in
af ully PC-compatible computer in a compact, rugged package.