National Instruments PXIe-7911 User manual

PXIe-7911/7912/7915
Getting Started
2022-07-06

Contents
Getting Started Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
FlexRIO Documentation and Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Verifying the System Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Unpacking the Kit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Kit Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Preparing the Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installing the Application Soware and Driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installing the PXIe-7911/7912/7915. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Front Panels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Configuring the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 in MAX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
FlexRIO Examples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Accessing FlexRIO Examples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Block Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Making a Measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Making a Measurement with LabVIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
What Should I Do if the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Does Not Appear in MAX?. . . . . 14
What Should I Do if the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Fails the Self-Test?. . . . . . . . . . . . 15
NI Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
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PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

Getting Started Guide
Note Before you begin, install and configure your chassis and controller.
This document explains how to install, configure, test, and use the
PXIe-7911/7912/7915. You can program the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 with the following
soware options.
■FlexRIO Support driver soware
■NI LabVIEW Instrument Design Libraries for FlexRIO (instrument design
libraries)
Safety Guidelines
Caution You can impair the protection provided by the
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 if you use it in a manner not described in this
document.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines
This product was tested and complies with the regulatory requirements and limits
for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) stated in the product specifications. These
requirements and limits provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the product is operated in the intended operational electromagnetic
environment.
This product is intended for use in industrial locations. However, harmful
interference may occur in some installations, when the product is connected to a
peripheral device or test object, or if the product is used in residential or
commercial areas. To minimize interference with radio and television reception and
prevent unacceptable performance degradation, install and use this product in strict
accordance with the instructions in the product documentation.
© National Instruments 3
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

Furthermore, any changes or modifications to the product not expressly approved
by NI could void your authority to operate it under your local regulatory rules.
FlexRIO Documentation and Resources
Document/Resource Location Description
PXIe-7911/7912/7915
Getting Started Guide (this
document)
Available at ni.com/
manuals.
Contains installation instructions and
basic programming instructions for your
PXIe-7911/7912/7915.
PXI-7911 Specifications,
PXI-7912 Specifications,
PXI-7915 Specifications
Available at ni.com/
manuals.
Contains specifications for your
PXIe-7911/7912/7915.
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Safety,
Environmental, and
Regulatory Information
Available at ni.com/
manuals.
Contains important safety,
environmental, and regulatory
information for your
PXIe-7911/7912/7915.
LabVIEW FPGA Module Help Embedded in LabVIEW
Help and at ni.com/
manuals.
Contains information about the basic
functionality of the LabVIEW FPGA
Module.
FlexRIO Help Available at ni.com/
manuals.
Contains information about the FPGA
module front panel connectors and I/O,
programming instructions, and I/O
component-level IP (CLIP).
LabVIEW Examples Available in NI Example
Finder. In LabVIEW,
click Help » Find
Examples » Hardware
Input and Output »
FlexRIO.
Contains examples of how to run FPGA
VIs and Host VIs on your FlexRIO devices.
FlexRIO product page Located at ni.com/
flexrio.
Contains product information and data
sheets for FlexRIO hardware.
Table 1. FlexRIO Documentation and Resources
Verifying the System Requirements
To use the PXIe-7911/7912/7915, your system must meet certain requirements. For
more information about minimum system requirements, recommended system,
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PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

and supported application development environments (ADEs), refer to the readme,
which is installed or available at ni.com/manuals.
Unpacking the Kit
Notice To prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) from damaging the
device, ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded
object, such as your computer chassis.
1. Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis.
2. Remove the device from the package and inspect the device for loose
components or any other sign of damage.
Notice Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
Note Do not install a device if it appears damaged in any way.
3. Unpack any other items and documentation from the kit.
Store the device in the antistatic package when the device is not in use.
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Kit Contents
The following items are included in the device kit:
■PXIe-7911/7912/7915
■Documentation:
■PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started Guide (this document)
■PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory
Information
© National Instruments 5
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

Preparing the Environment
Ensure the environment in which you are using the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 meets the
following specifications.
Operating environment
Ambient temperature
range
0 °C to 45 °C (Tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-1 and
IEC-60068-2-2. Meets MIL-PRF-28800FClass 3 low temperature limit
and MIL-PRF-28800FClass 4 high temperature limit.)
Relative humidity range 10% to 90%, noncondensing
Maximum altitude 2,000 m (800 mbar) (at 25 °C ambient temperature)
Pollution Degree 2
Indoor use only.
Note For complete specifications, refer to the specifications document for
your device at ni.com/manuals.
Installing the Application Soware and Driver
Before installing your hardware, you must install the application soware and
instrument driver. Visit NI FlexRIO Driver Supported Versions for FlexRIO Adapters
and Modules to determine which minimum soware versions you need for your
device. Install the soware in the following order:
1. Install LabVIEW.
Refer to the LabVIEW Installation Guide for installation instructions for
LabVIEW and system requirements for the LabVIEW soware. Refer to the
LabVIEW Upgrade Notes for additional information about upgrading to the
most recent version of LabVIEW for Windows. Documentation for LabVIEW is
available at ni.com/manuals and by selecting Start » All Programs » National
Instruments » LabVIEW » LabVIEW Manuals.
2. Install the LabVIEW FPGA Module.
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PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

Refer to the LabVIEW FPGA Module Release and Upgrade Notes for
installation instructions and information about getting started with the
LabVIEW FPGA Module. Documentation for the LabVIEW FPGA Module is
available at ni.com/manuals and by selecting Start » All Programs » National
Instruments » LabVIEW » LabVIEW Manuals.
3. Install FlexRIO Support.
Refer to the FlexRIO Readme on the FlexRIO installation media for system
requirements and installation instructions for FlexRIO Support.
Documentation for FlexRIO Support is available at ni.com/manuals and by
selecting Start » All Programs » National Instruments » NI FlexRIO.
Installing the PXIe-7911/7912/7915
Notice To prevent damage to the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 caused by ESD or
contamination, handle the module using the edges or the metal bracket.
1. Ensure the AC power source is connected to the chassis before installing the
module.
The AC power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage
while you install the module.
2. Power o the chassis.
3. Inspect the slot pins on the chassis backplane for any bends or damage prior
to installation. Do not install a module if the backplane is damaged.
4. Remove the black plastic covers from all the captive screws on the module
front panel.
5. Identify a supported slot in the chassis. The following figure shows the
symbols that indicate the slot types.
© National Instruments 7
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

Figure 1. Chassis Compatibility Symbols
12 3 45
1. PXI Express System Controller Slot
2. PXI Peripheral Slot
3. PXI Express Hybrid Peripheral Slot
4. PXI Express System Timing Slot
5. PXI Express Peripheral Slot
6. Touch any metal part of the chassis to discharge static electricity.
7. Ensure that the ejector handle is in the downward (unlatched) position.
8. Place the module edges into the module guides at the top and bottom of the
chassis. Slide the module into the slot until it is fully inserted.
9. Latch the module in place by pulling up on the ejector handle.
10. Secure the module front panel to the chassis using the front-panel mounting
screws.
Note Tightening the top and bottom mounting screws increases
mechanical stability and also electrically connects the front panel to
the chassis, which can improve the signal quality and
electromagnetic performance.
11. Cover all empty slots using either filler panels (standard or EMC) or slot
blockers with filler panels, depending on your application.
Note For more information about installing slot blockers and filler
panels, go to ni.com/r/pxiblocker.
12. Power on the chassis.
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PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Front Panels
The following figures show the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 front panels.
Figure 2. PXIe-7911 Front Panel
PXIe-7911
FlexRIO Coprocessor
Kintex UltraScale
KU035 FPGA
© National Instruments 9
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

Figure 3. PXIe-7912 Front Panel
PXIe-7912
FlexRIO Coprocessor
DIO
Kintex UltraScale
KU040 FPGA
4 GB
DRAM
The following table describes the signal connections for the PXIe-7912.
Connector Description Function
DIO Molex™ Nano-Pitch DIO
connector
Multi-signal DIO connector that provides access to FPGA
multi-gigabit transceivers (MGTs) and general-purpose
LVCMOS signals.
The following table lists the available pins on the DIO connector.
Signal Type Description
MGT Tx± <3..0> Xilinx UltraScale GTH Output
MGT Rx± <3..0> Xilinx UltraScale GTH Input
DIO <7..0> Single-ended Bidirectional
5.0 V DC Output
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Signal Type Description
GND Ground —
Figure 4. PXIe-7915 Front Panel
PXIe-7915
FlexRIO Coprocessor
DIO
Kintex UltraScale
KU060 FPGA
4 GB
DRAM
The following table describes the signal connections for the PXIe-7915.
Connector Description Function
DIO Molex™ Nano-Pitch DIO
connector
Multi-signal DIO connector that provides access to FPGA
multi-gigabit transceivers (MGTs) and general-purpose
LVCMOS signals.
The following table lists the available pins on the DIO connector.
Signal Type Description
MGT Tx± <3..0> Xilinx UltraScale GTH Output
MGT Rx± <3..0> Xilinx UltraScale GTH Input
© National Instruments 11
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

Signal Type Description
DIO <7..0> Single-ended Bidirectional
5.0 V DC Output
GND Ground —
Configuring the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 in MAX
Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to configure your NI hardware. MAX
informs other programs about which NI hardware products are in the system and
how they are configured. MAX is automatically installed with FlexRIO Support.
1. Launch MAX.
2. In the configuration tree, expand Devices and Interfaces to see the list of
installed NI hardware.
Installed modules appear under the name of their associated chassis.
3. Expand your Chassis tree item.
MAX lists all modules installed in the chassis. Your default names may vary.
Note If you do not see your module listed, press <F5> to refresh the
list of installed modules. If the module is still not listed, power o the
system, ensure the module is correctly installed, and restart.
4. Record the identifier MAX assigns to the hardware. Use this identifier when
programming the PXIe-7911/7912/7915.
5. Self-test the hardware by selecting the item in the configuration tree and
clicking Self-Test in the MAX toolbar.
The MAX self-test performs a basic verification of hardware resources.
FlexRIO Examples
FlexRIO includes several example applications for LabVIEW. These examples serve
as interactive tools, programming models, and as building blocks in your own
applications.
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Accessing FlexRIO Examples
FlexRIO examples are available in LabVIEW's NI Example Finder. Complete the
following steps to access the examples by task.
1. In LabVIEW, click Help » Find Examples.
2. In the NI Example Finder window that appears, click Hardware Input and
Output » FlexRIO.
Click on an example and refer to the Information window for a description of
the example. Refer the Requirements window for a list of hardware that can
run the example.
You can also click the Search tab to search all installed examples by keyword.
For example, search for FlexRIO to locate all FlexRIO examples.
Online examples are also available to demonstrate FlexRIO basics, such as using
DRAM, acquiring data from adapter modules, and performing high throughput
streaming. To access these examples, search FlexRIO examples in the Search the
community field at ni.com/examples.
Block Diagram
The following figure shows the PXIe-7911 block diagram and signal flow.
Figure 5. PXIe-7911 Block Diagram
Power Supplies
Flash
FPGA
Clocking
PXI/PXIe Connectors
Triggers
Triggers
Clk 100, Clk 10
DStarB, DStarC
PXIe Lanes
12 V, 3.3 V
The following figure shows the block diagram and signal flow for both the PXIe-7912
and PXIe-7915.
© National Instruments 13
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

Figure 6. PXIe-7912 and PXIe-7915 Block Diagram
Nanopitch Connector
(Front Panel)
+3.3 V
+5 V
GPIO
MGTs
Power Supplies
Flash
FPGA
Clocking
PXI/PXIe Connectors
Triggers
Triggers
DRAM Bank 0
(2 GB)
DRAM Bank 1
(2 GB)
Clk 100, Clk 10
DStarB, DStarC
PXIe Lanes
12 V, 3.3 V
Making a Measurement with LabVIEW
1. Launch LabVIEW.
2. Select Help » Find Example.
3. Open the example VI that you want to use by selecting Hardware Input and
Output » FlexRIO.
4. Follow any setup, configuration, and execution instructions in the VI.
Troubleshooting
If an issue persists aer you complete a troubleshooting procedure, search our
KnowledgeBase for additional information our technical support engineers create
as they answer common user questions and resolve unexpected issues.
What Should I Do if the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Does Not Appear in
MAX?
1. In the MAX configuration tree, expand Devices and Interfaces.
2. Expand the Chassis tree to see the list of installed hardware, and press <F5> to
refresh the list.
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PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

3. If the module is still not listed, power o the system, ensure that all hardware
is correctly installed, and restart the system.
4. Navigate to the Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button, and
selecting Device Manager.
5. Verify the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 appears in the Device Manager.
1. Under an NI entry, confirm that a PXIe-7911/7912/7915 entry appears.
Note If you are using a PC with a device for PXI remote control
system, under System Devices, also confirm that no error
conditions appear for the PCI-to-PCI Bridge.
2. If error conditions appear, reinstall the FlexRIO Support driver.
What Should I Do if the PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Fails the Self-Test?
1. Restart the system.
2. Launch MAX, and perform the self-test again.
3. Power o the chassis.
4. Reinstall the failed module in a dierent slot.
5. Power on the chassis.
6. Perform the self-test again.
NI Services
Visit ni.com/support to find support resources including documentation,
downloads, and troubleshooting and application development self-help such as
tutorials and examples.
Visit ni.com/services to learn about NI service oerings such as calibration options,
repair, and replacement.
Visit ni.com/register to register your NI product. Product registration facilitates
technical support and ensures that you receive important information updates from
NI.
© National Instruments 15
PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started

NI corporate headquarters is located at 11500 N Mopac Expwy, Austin, TX,
78759-3504, USA.
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PXIe-7911/7912/7915 Getting Started
© 2022 National Instruments Corporation.