Chapter 1 Introduction
VXI-1394 User Manual for Windows 1-2 ni.com
❑National Instruments software CD
❑This manual
VXI-1394 Interface Kit Overview
The interface kit described in this manual links a 1394-equipped computer
directly to the VXIbus using the IEEE1394 bus. The VXI-1394 kit uses
this high-speed (upto 400 Mbits/s) serial bus to link your computer
running Windows to a VXI chassis.
Note You can connect multiple 1394 devices together in a tree topology. However,
increasing the complexity of the 1394 bus topology can lower overall system performance.
Caution You cannot connect multiple 1394 devices in a circular bus topology (one which
provides more than one data path between any two nodes). Doing so will render your
VXI-1394 inoperable and may crash your system.
The VXI-1394 kit includes the NI-VXI/NI-VISA software for Windows,
aC-size VXI-1394 module, a 1394 cable, and an industry-standard OHCI
host adapter.
A 1394-equipped computer connected to a VXI-1394 interface can
function as a VXI Commander and Resource Manager. The VXI-1394
interface kit gives your computer the capability to perform as if it is
plugged directly into the VXI backplane as an embedded CPU module.
TheVXI-1394 transparently translates between the IEEE 1394 and
VXI protocols.
The software included with the kit is for Pentium-based computers.
Hardware Description
The VXI-1394 module is a VXIbus device with op tional VXIbus Slot 0
capability so that it can reside in any slot in a C-size or D-size chassis.
Ify ou enable this capability, the VXI-1394 can automatically determine
whether it is located in VXI Slot0.
Note D-size VXI mainframes have connections for a P3 connector. The VXI-1394,
however, does not have this connector and, if configured as a Slot 0 controller, cannot
provide the necessary control for VXI devices that need P3 support.