National Instruments NI FlexRIO PXIe-7971R User manual

GETTING STARTED GUIDE
NI PXIe-7971R
NI FlexRIO™FPGA Module for PXI Express
This document explains how to install your NI FlexRIO system, comprised of the
NI PXIe-7971R (NI 7971R) FlexRIO FPGA module and an NI FlexRIO adapter module.
For information about the device specifications, refer to the NI PXIe-7971R Specifications,
available at Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI FlexRIO, and at ni.com/
manuals.
For detailed information about the features and configuration options specific to the
NI FlexRIO FPGA module, refer to the NI FlexRIO Help, available at Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI FlexRIO, and at ni.com/manuals.
Contents
How to Use Your NI FlexRIO Documentation Set...................................................................2
Required Components...............................................................................................................3
Installing the Application Software and Driver........................................................................ 5
Installing the NI FlexRIO Devices............................................................................................6
Unpacking......................................................................................................................... 6
Preparing the Environment............................................................................................... 6
Installing the NI FlexRIO FPGA Module.........................................................................7
Confirming that Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) Recognizes the
Device......................................................................................................................... 8
Installing the NI FlexRIO Adapter Module...................................................................... 9
Installing PXI EMC Filler Panels........................................................................................... 10
NI FlexRIO FPGA Module Signals........................................................................................ 10
Compliance and Certifications................................................................................................12
Safety.............................................................................................................................. 12
Electromagnetic Compatibility....................................................................................... 12
CE Compliance .............................................................................................................. 12
Online Product Certification........................................................................................... 13
Environmental Management........................................................................................... 13
Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines.............................................................................13
Worldwide Support and Services............................................................................................ 14

How to Use Your NI FlexRIO Documentation Set
Figure 1. How to Use Your NI FlexRIO Documentation Set
LabVIEW FPGA
Module Help
NI FlexRIO
Help
LabVIEW
Examples
INSTALL Hardware
and Software
CONNECT Signals
and LearnAbout
Your AdapterModule
LEARN About
LabVIEW FPGA
Module
PROGRAM Your
NI FlexRIO System
in LabVIEW FPGA
Module
Specifications document
for your FPGA module
Specifications document
for your adapter module
Are
You New to
LabVIEW FPGA
Module?
Yes No
No
Getting Started Guide
for your adapter module
Getting Started Guide
for your FPGA module
Table 1. NI FlexRIO Documentation Locations and Descriptions
Document Location Description
Getting started guide for
your FPGA module
Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains installation instructions
for your NI FlexRIO system.
Specifications document
for your FPGA module
Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains specifications for your
NI 7971R module.
Getting started guide for
your adapter module
Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains signal information,
examples, and CLIP details for
your adapter module.
Specifications document
for your adapter module
Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains specifications for your
adapter module.
LabVIEW FPGA Module
Help
Embedded in LabVIEW Help
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains information about the
basic functionality of the
LabVIEW FPGA Module.
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Table 1. NI FlexRIO Documentation Locations and Descriptions (Continued)
Document Location Description
NI FlexRIO Help Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains information about the
FPGA module, adapter module,
and CLIP configuration
information.
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
device.
IPNet ni.com/ipnet Contains LabVIEW FPGA
functions and intellectual property
to share.
NI FlexRIO product
page
ni.com/flexrio Contains product information and
data sheets for NI FlexRIO
devices.
Required Components
The following items are necessary to set up and use your NI FlexRIO system:
• The NI FlexRIO hardware device, comprised of the following items:
– NI 7971R
– NI FlexRIO adapter module
Note You can use the NI FlexRIO FPGA module without an adapter module for
coprocessing or peer-to-peer streaming. The adapter module installation instructions
in this document do not apply to these circumstances.
The following figure shows the combined module.
NI PXIe-7971R FPGA Module Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 3

Figure 2. Combining Your Adapter Module and FPGA Module
NI FlexRIO
Adapter Module + = NI FlexRIO Device
NI FlexRIO
FPGA Module
• The following software packages:
– LabVIEW
– LabVIEW FPGA Module
– NI FlexRIO Support
Note The most recent version of NI FlexRIO Support is available at
ni.com/downloads. Search for flexrio to download the latest version of
NI FlexRIO Support.
– NI FlexRIO Adapter Module Support1
Note The most recent version of NI FlexRIO Adapter Module Support is
available at ni.com/downloads. Search for flexrio adapter module
support to download the latest version of NI FlexRIO Adapter Module
Support. You do not need this software if you are not using an adapter
module.
– (Optional) LabVIEW Real-Time Module.
• A PXI Express/CompactPCI Express chassis
• One of the following controllers:
– PXI Express/CompactPCI Express embedded controller
– MXI kit and a PC
• One of the following operating systems:
– Windows 8
– Windows 7
1The NI 1483 adapter module requires the NI-IMAQ instrument driver instead of NI FlexRIO
Adapter Module Support.
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– Windows Vista
– Windows XP Pro x32 Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3
• At least one cable for connecting signals to the NI FlexRIO device. Refer to your adapter
module documentation for a list of applicable cables and accessories for your NI FlexRIO
system.
Related Information
Installing the Application Software and Driver on page 5
Installing the Application Software and Driver
Before installing your hardware, you must install the application software and instrument
driver. Visit ni.com/info and enter rdsoftwareversion as the Info Code to determine
which minimum software versions you need for your device. Install the software in the
following order:
1. Install LabVIEW.
Refer to the LabVIEW Installation Guide for installation instructions for LabVIEW and
system requirements for the LabVIEW software. 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.
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. (Optional) Install the LabVIEW Real-Time Module.
Refer to the LabVIEW Real-Time Module Release and Upgrade Notes for system
requirements, installation instructions, and additional information about using the
LabVIEW Real-Time Module.
4. Install NI FlexRIO.
Refer to the NI FlexRIO Readme on the NI FlexRIO installation media for system
requirements and installation instructions for NI FlexRIO Support. Documentation for
NI FlexRIO Support is available at ni.com/manuals and by selecting Start»All
Programs»National Instruments»NI FlexRIO.
Note If you are not using an adapter module, skip step 5.
5. Install NI FlexRIO Adapter Module Support.
Refer to the NI FlexRIO Adapter Module Support Readme on the NI FlexRIO Adapter
Module Support installation media for system requirements and installation instructions.
Documentation for NI FlexRIO Adapter Module Support is available at ni.com/manuals
NI PXIe-7971R FPGA Module Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 5

and by selecting Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI FlexRIO»NI FlexRIO
Adapter Module Documentation.
Related Information
Required Components on page 3
NI FlexRIO FPGA Module Signals on page 10
Installing the NI FlexRIO FPGA Module on page 7
Installing the NI FlexRIO Devices
Note You must install the software before installing the hardware.
Unpacking
The NI 7971R modules ship in antistatic packages to prevent electrostatic discharge from
damaging module components. To prevent such damage when handling the modules, ground
yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object, such as your computer
chassis, and complete the following steps:
1. Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis before removing the
module from the package.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
2. Remove each module from the package and inspect it for loose components or any other
sign of damage.
Notify NI if the modules appear damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged module into
the chassis.
Preparing the Environment
Ensure that the environment you are using the NI 7971R in meets the following specifications.
............................................................................Operating temperature (IEC
60068-2-1, IEC60068-2-2)
0 °C to 55 °C
............................................................................Operating humidity
(IEC 60068-2-56)
10% to 90% RH, noncondensing
............................................................................Pollution Degree 2
............................................................................Maximum altitude 2,000 m at 25 °C ambient temperature
Indoor use only.
Note Refer to the NI PXIe-7971R Specifications at ni.com/manuals for complete
specifications.
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Installing the NI FlexRIO FPGA Module
Note You must install the software before you install the hardware.
1. Power off and unplug the PXI Express chassis. Refer to your chassis manual to install or
configure the chassis.
2. Identify a supported PXI Express slot in the chassis. The figure below shows the symbols
that indicate the slot types in a PXI Express chassis.
Figure 3. Symbols for PXI Express/PXI Express HybridSlots
NI PXIe-1062Q
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
Refer to the chassis documentation for specifications.
3. Remove the filler panel of an unused PXI Express slot.
4. Touch any metal part of the chassis to discharge any static electricity. Place the PXI
Express module edges into the module guides at the top and bottom of the chassis, and
slide the module into the chassis until the module is fully inserted, as shown in the figure
below.
NI PXIe-7971R FPGA Module Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 7

Figure 4. Installing an NI FlexRIO FPGA Module in the PXI Express Chassis
PXI-1000B
1
3
6
2
5
4
1. PXI Express Chassis
2. PXI Express System Controller
3. NI FlexRIO FPGA Module
4. Front-Panel Mounting Screws
5. Module Guides
6. Power Switch
5. Secure the device front panel to the chassis front panel mounting rail using the front panel
mounting screws.
6. Plug in and power on the PXI Express chassis.
Related Information
Installing the Application Software and Driver on page 5
Confirming that Measurement & Automation Explorer
(MAX) Recognizes the Device
Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to configure your National Instruments
hardware. MAX informs other programs about which devices reside in the system and how
they are configured. MAX is automatically installed with NI FlexRIO Support.
1. Launch MAX by navigating to Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI MAX or
by clicking the NI MAX desktop icon.
2. In the Configuration pane, double-click Devices and Interfaces to see the list of installed
devices. Installed devices appear under the name of their associated chassis.
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3. Expand your Chassis tree item. MAX lists all devices installed in the chassis. Your
default device names may vary.
Note If you do not see your hardware listed, press <F5> to refresh the list of
installed devices. If the device is still not listed, power off the system, ensure
the device is correctly installed, and restart.
Installing the NI FlexRIO Adapter Module
Note Skip this step if you are not using an adapter module.
1. Gently insert the guide pins and the high-density card edge of the NI FlexRIO adapter
module into the corresponding connectors of the NI FlexRIO FPGA module, as shown in
the figure below.
Figure 5. Installing the NI FlexRIO Adapter Module
PXI-1000B
1
4
3
2
5
1. NI FlexRIO Adapter Module
2. Captive Screw
3. Guide Pin
4. PXI/PXI Express Chassis
5. NI FlexRIO FPGA Module
The connection may be tight, but do not force the adapter module into place.
2. Tighten the captive screws on the NI FlexRIO adapter module to secure it to the
NI FlexRIO FPGA module. NI recommends using the laser-tipped screwdriver (part
number 748677-01) included in the NI PXIe-7971R packaging.
3. Launch LabVIEW to begin configuring your NI FlexRIO system.
Note MAX only recognizes FPGA modules that are in the chassis. Your
adapter module will not appear in MAX.
NI PXIe-7971R FPGA Module Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 9

Installing PXI EMC Filler Panels
To ensure specified EMC performance, PXI EMC filler panels must be properly installed in
your NI FlexRIO system. The PXI EMC filler panels (National Instruments part number
778700-01) must be purchased separately.
1. Remove the captive screw covers.
2. Install the PXI EMC filler panels by securing the captive mounting screws to the chassis,
as shown in the figure below. Make sure that the EMC gasket is on the right side of the
PXI EMC filler panel.
Figure 6. PXI EMC Filler Panels and Chassis
1
1
3
2
1. Captive Screw Covers
2. Captive Mounting Screws
3. EMC Gasket
Note You must populate all slots with a module or a PXI EMC filler panel to
ensure proper module cooling. Do not over tighten screws (2.5 lb · in.
maximum). For additional information about the use of PXI EMC filler panels
in your PXI system, visit ni.com/info and enter emcpanels.
NI FlexRIO FPGA Module Signals
The following figure shows the available signals on the NI FlexRIO FPGA module. Refer to
your adapter module specifications for your adapter module pinout.
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