Low level control of PXI-2596

[eirlund]

How do I control a PXI-2506 26.5 GHz Dual 6x1 Mux within PXI-1042 chassis a from 'C' code with a minimum of drivers? We want to use our own code, not LabView, just plain 'C'. We also prefer to use our own embedded (Linix based) controller without a slot for a PXI card (if possible). Like is there a simple serial interface or ethernet interface to control the boards hosted in the PXI-1042 chassis? The switching speed is very low, this is a part of a manufacturing test system, we want to use the PXI-1042 with several 6x1 Mux inside for RF switching of instruments into DUT's.

[JosephP · Accepted solution]

Hi eirlund,

In answer to your questions:

Is there a simple serial interface or ethernet interface to control the boards hosted in the PXI-1042 chassis?

• The PXI chassis itself only contains the connections for the PXI bus as well as a few additional timing and trigger lines and the power supply for the cards. This white paper explains the PXI architecture in much greater detail: https://www.ni.com/en/shop/pxi/introduction-to-the-pxi-architecture.html
• In order to interface with the cards you need to use either an Embedded PXI Controller or a Remote Controller which allows you to use another computer in place of an Embedded Controller. A remote controller might be more applicable for what you are after however there are some limitations with regard to using it on Linux. More info on what Remote Controllers can be found here: https://www.ni.com/en-us/shop/category/pxi-controllers.html?productId=118776

We want to use our own code, not LabView, just plain 'C'

• You will still need to use the relevant drivers for the hardware you are using, in this case NI-Switch and NI PXI Platform Services if you are using a Remote Controller.
• These drivers work with LabWindows/CVI which adds additional tools to aid programming for NI hardware in C, but this means that it should be possible to use these drivers from C but there may be less supporting documentation for this

We also prefer to use our own embedded (Linux based) controller without a slot for a PXI card (if possible)

• Whether this is possible will depend in part on whether the version of Linux you are using is supported. You can look into this further here: https://www.ni.com/en/support/downloads/drivers/download.ni-linux-device-drivers.html
• In addition you will need either a PCI slot or ExpressCard slot to be able to connect a Remote Controller setup with

I hope this information gives you somewhere to start for looking into whether what you want to do is feasible?

Best regards,

Joe