The NI MXI-3 Interface Cable Copper (2 Meters) is a high-speed serial link that extends PCI bus architecture between a host computer and remote PXI/CompactPCI chassis. Operating as a transparent PCI-to-PCI bridge, it connects physically separate PCI or PXI/CompactPCI buses via a 1.5 Gb/s serial link, presenting them as a single standard PCI bridge to software and hardware. This enables direct control and communication with modular instrument systems from a stand-alone computer without architectural modification.
Technical Specifications
• Serial Link Speed: 1.5 Gb/s
• Peak Data Transfer Rate: 132 Mbytes/s
• Sustained Data Transfer Rate: 84 Mbytes/s
• Cable Length: 2 meters
• Cable Type: Copper
• Maximum Bus-to-Bus Distance (Copper): 10 meters
• Operating Temperature Range: 0 to 50 °C
• Storage Temperature Range: –20 to 70 °C
• Operating Humidity: 10 to 90% non-condensing
• Storage Humidity: 5 to 95% non-condensing
• Architecture Compliance: PCI-to-PCI Bridge Architecture Specification v1.0, PCI Specification Revision 2.1
• Maximum Cascaded Chassis: Up to 254 (BIOS dependent)
– Key Features
• Implements transparent PCI-to-PCI bridge functionality via serial extension
• Supports word serial (message-based) and register-based communication protocols
• Provides direct trigger and interrupt control
• Hardware and software transparent operation—no driver modification required
• Enables multi-chassis linking for distributed PXI/CompactPCI configurations
– Typical Applications
• Remote DAQ system control from external host computers
• Distributed modular instrument configurations requiring extended cable runs
• PXI/CompactPCI chassis integration with standalone computer platforms
• Multi-chassis measurement and control systems
– Compatibility & Integration
• Compatible with PCI and PXI/CompactPCI bus architectures
• Operates with National Instruments PCI-833x and PXI-833x interface boards/modules
• Supports Windows (2000/NT/Me/98), Apple Mac OS, and Sun Solaris operating systems
• Standard MXI-3 connector interface
