The National Instruments PXI-8430/8 is an 8-port RS-232 serial interface module for PXI systems delivering high-performance serial communication in instrument control, data acquisition, and industrial automation environments. The module supports simultaneous operation across all eight ports with maximum baud rates to 1 Mbps and baud rate accuracy within 1% for non-standard rates and 0.01% for standard rates. DMA transfers and interrupt sharing reduce CPU overhead while maintaining throughput, and the module appears as standard COM ports in the operating system, enabling compatibility with existing serial software without modification.
Technical Specifications
• Serial Standard: RS-232
• Port Count: 8 independent ports
• Maximum Baud Rate: 1 Mbps (1,000,000 baud)
• Baud Rate Accuracy: 0.01% (standard rates); 1% (non-standard rates)
• I/O FIFO Buffer: 128 bytes per port
• Maximum Connections per Port: 1 device
• Handshake Support: RTS/CTS
• Direct Memory Access: Supported
• Interrupt Sharing: Supported across ports
• I/O Connector: 68-pin SCSI
• Included Cable: 8-port breakout cable (SCSI-68 to eight DB9 male connectors)
• Maximum Cable Length: 15.6 m (51.2 feet)
• Power Requirement: 5 VDC, 1.5 A (+5V rail)
• Module Width: 1 slot (PXI Hybrid Compatible)
• Physical Dimensions: 3.94 × 6.37 inches
• Weight: 135 g
– Key Features
• Direct memory access for high-throughput data transfer with minimal CPU utilization
• Multiprocessor and hyperthreading compatible for parallel processing environments
• LabVIEW RT support for real-time control applications
• 128-byte FIFOs on each port to buffer data during high-speed transfers
• Hardware flow control via RTS/CTS handshake lines
– Typical Applications
• Multi-device instrument control and communication
• Data acquisition from distributed serial sensors and equipment
• Industrial automation and process monitoring
• Real-time control systems requiring parallel serial channels
– Compatibility & Integration
Operates on Windows and real-time operating systems. MXI compatible for remote PXI chassis expansion. Integrates into existing serial applications through standard COM port interfaces.
