The NI MXI Type M3 180761-02 is a 2-meter bus cable that establishes high-speed serial links between host computers and PXI/CompactPCI chassis using National Instruments’ MXI architecture. This cable bridges PCI and PXI/CompactPCI buses with a transparent hardware and software interface, enabling direct control and data exchange across multiple mainframes through daisy-chain topology. The right-angle point-to-daisy-chain connector configuration supports both MXI-2 and MXI-3 technologies, each with distinct performance and signal-extension characteristics.
Technical Specifications
• Cable Length: 2 meters
• Connector Type: Right-angle point to right-angle daisy-chain
• Cable Composition: Copper
• Supported Technologies: MXI-2 and MXI-3
• Data Transfer Rate (MXI-3): Up to 1.5 Gb/s serial link
• Data Transfer Rate (MXI-2): Up to 33 MB/s synchronous block transfers
• Communication Protocol: MXIbus (32-bit multimaster system bus)
– Key Features
• MXI-3 operates as a transparent PCI-to-PCI bridge, independent of operating system
• MXI-2 extends beyond standard MXI cables to carry VXI triggers, VXI interrupts, CLK10, and utility bus signals (SYSFAIL*, SYSRESET*, ACFAIL*)
• Daisy-chain connector enables multi-mainframe and multi-chassis configurations
• Supports Windows, Mac OS, and Sun Solaris environments
– Typical Applications
• Industrial test and measurement systems requiring remote PXI/CompactPCI control
• Laboratory automation with distributed chassis architectures
• Multi-frame system integration with transparent bus extension
• VXI signal routing in modular instrumentation setups
– Compatibility & Integration
Connects PCI-based host computers equipped with MXI interface boards to PXI and CompactPCI chassis. Fully compatible with MXI-2 and MXI-3 interface kits and boards. Supports multi-system linking through sequential daisy-chaining of multiple cables and chassis.
