What is this connector on my PCI DAQ? (PCI 6259, M-Series)

[AlikWidge]

I am building a new test rig that includes a PCI-6259, and am stumped by this connector:

What the heck is this, and what mates with it? It's in the spot where I'd expect the PCI-E power connector to the system power supply, or the "disk drive connector" that M-series are supposed to have. But this has about four times as many pins as I expect those to have. It is not diagrammed or mentioned in any manual I can find online.

[crossrulz]

That is a ribbon cable connection used for RTSI connections.  RTSI is a way to share triggers and clocks between PCI cards.

[AlikWidge]

OK, that's one thing down.

Should I be surprised that I do not appear to have this "disk drive power connector" mentioned in the manuals?

[crossrulz]

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@AlikWidge wrote:

Should I be surprised that I do not appear to have this "disk drive power connector" mentioned in the manuals?

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1. Harddrive power was never a connector like that.  Perhaps you mean "IDE Connection" instead.

2. Look up RTSI in this manual: M Series User Manual NI 622x, NI 625x, and NI 628x Devices

[AlikWidge]

Well, what I'm referring to is this manual:

http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/373235y.pdf

Specifically, page 3, item 6:

"On NI M and X Series PCI Express devices, such as the NI PCIe-625x/635x, connect the PC and the device disk drive power connectors. Refer to the device user manual for when to use the disk drive power connector. Use a disk drive power connector that is not in the same power chain as the hard drive."

But perhaps I'm mistaking PCI for PCIe, since I believe mine's not the Express model.

[crossrulz · Accepted solution]

Yeah, the PCIe version of the card has the power connector and the back of the card.  The PCI version does not.  I'm thinking that is because PCIe does not have as much current capacity as PCI, therefore additional power is needed.

Both versions do have the RTSI connector though.