National Instruments MXI Series - Manual (Page 17)

© National Instruments Corporation 3-1 NI ExpressCard MXI Series User Manual
3
Hardware Overview
This chapter presents an overview of NI ExpressCard MXI hardware
functionality and explains the operation of each functional unit.
Functional Overview
NI ExpressCard MXI is based on PCI Express technology. An
NI ExpressCard MXI kit uses standard PCI Express bridges or switches.
The architecture is transparent to device drivers, so no additional software
is needed to support NI ExpressCard MXI.
No software is required for basic functionality. SMBus and ID device both
require drivers.
Note The PXI Platform Services software on the PXI Platform Services CD or driver CD
included with your PXI Express MXI-Express hardware is required to provide chassis and
controller identification for PXI features such as trigger routing and slot detection. The PXI
Platform Services software is also included with the NI-DAQmx and NI-VISA drivers. For
more information, refer to KnowledgeBase 3TJDONDS at
ni.com .
The link between the PC and the chassis is a x1 PCI Express link. This link
is a dual-simplex communication channel comprised of a low-voltage,
differentially driven signal pair. The link can transmit at a rate of 2.5 Gbps
in each direction simultaneously. This connector is not compatible with the
cabled PCI Express specification to be released by the PCI-SIG in the next
few months.
Figure 3-1 shows the basic architecture of NI ExpressCard MXI with an
NI PXI-8360. Figure 3-2 shows the basic architecture of NI ExpressCard
MXI with an NI PXIe-8360. The NI ExpressCard-8360 consists of an
ExpressCard module connector, a PCI Express cable driver, and
one high-speed cable connector. The NI PXI-8360 consists of
one high-speed cable connector, a PCI Express-to-PCI bridge, and a PXI
connector. The NI PXIe-8360 consists of one high-speed cable connector,
a PCI Express-to-PCI Express switch, and a PXIe connector.