NI PXIe-1090 User manual

USER GUIDE
PXIe-1090
2-Slot PXI Express Chassis
This document describes the features of the PXIe-1090 chassis and contains information about
configuring the chassis, installing the modules, and operating the chassis.
Contents
Getting Started.......................................................................................................................... 2
Unpacking......................................................................................................................... 2
What You Need to Get Started..........................................................................................2
Key Features..................................................................................................................... 2
Chassis Components......................................................................................................... 3
PXIe-1090 Backplane Overview.............................................................................................. 4
Interoperability with CompactPCI.................................................................................... 4
ThunderboltTM 3 Interface................................................................................................ 4
Basic MXI-Express Thunderbolt Systems........................................................................5
Thunderbolt Bus Extension...............................................................................................5
Hybrid Peripheral Slot...................................................................................................... 6
PXI Local Bus...................................................................................................................6
PXI Trigger Bus................................................................................................................ 7
System Reference Clock................................................................................................... 7
Installation and Configuration.................................................................................................. 8
Safety Information............................................................................................................ 8
Chassis Cooling Considerations........................................................................................8
Connecting the Safety Ground........................................................................................ 11
Connecting to a Power Source........................................................................................ 11
Cabling............................................................................................................................ 11
Powering On/Off the MXI-Express Thunderbolt System...............................................12
Installing Peripheral Modules......................................................................................... 13
LED Indicators................................................................................................................14
DIP Switches...................................................................................................................15
Inhibit Mode....................................................................................................................16
Default Host Power Up Mode.........................................................................................17
Fan Mode........................................................................................................................ 17
PXI Express System Configuration with MAX..............................................................18
Using System Configuration and Initialization Files......................................................20

Maintenance............................................................................................................................ 21
Service Interval............................................................................................................... 21
Preparation...................................................................................................................... 21
Cleaning.......................................................................................................................... 21
NI Services..............................................................................................................................22
Getting Started
Unpacking
Carefully inspect the shipping container and the chassis for damage. Check for visible damage
to the metal work. Check to make sure all handles, hardware, and switches are undamaged.
Inspect the inner chassis for any possible damage, debris, or detached components. If the
chassis was damaged during shipment, file a claim with the carrier. Retain the packing
material for possible inspection and/or reshipment.
What You Need to Get Started
The PXIe-1090 chassis kit contains the following items:
• PXIe-1090 chassis
• Filler panel
• Software media with PXI Platform Services 20.5 or newer
• Chassis number labels
Note You also will need an AC power cable, sold separately. Refer to the following
table for more information about AC power cables.
Table 1. AC Power Cables
Power Cable Reference Standards
Standard 120 V (USA) ANSI C73.11/NEMA 5-15-P
Switzerland 220 V SEV 6534-2
Australia 240 V AS C112
Universal Euro 230 V CEE (7), II, IV, VII
United Kingdom 230 V BS 1363
Japan 100 V JIS 8303
If you are missing any of the items or have the incorrect AC power cable, contact NI.
Key Features
The PXIe-1090 chassis combines a high-performance 2-slot PXI Express backplane with a
power supply and a structural design that has been optimized for maximum usability in a wide
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range of applications. The PXIe-1090 chassis fully complies with the PXI-5 PXI Express
Hardware Specification.
The PXIe-1090 chassis includes the following key features:
High Performance for Instrumentation Requirements
• Up to 985 MB/s (single direction) per PXI Express slot dedicated bandwidth (x1 Gen-3
PCI Express)
• 58 W per slot cooling to meet increased PXI Express cooling requirements; refer to the
PXIe-1090 Specifications for more details
• Low-jitter internal 10 MHz reference clock for PXI/PXI Express slots with ± 25 ppm
stability
• Low-jitter internal 100 MHz reference clock for PXI Express slots with ± 25 ppm
stability
• Quiet operation for 0 °C to 30 °C at 33.7 dBA
• Variable speed fan controller to optimize cooling and acoustic emissions
High Reliability
• 0 °C to 50 °C temperature range
• Power supply, temperature, and fan monitoring
Chassis Components
The following figures show key features of the PXIe-1090 chassis front and back panels.
Figure 1. PXIe-1090 Front Panel Features
12
5
6
4
3
1. System LED
2. MXI LED
3. PXI Express Peripheral Slot
4. PXI Express Hybrid Peripheral Slot
5. Rubber Foot
6. Backplane Connectors
PXIe-1090 User Guide | © National Instruments Corporation | 3

Figure 2. PXIe-1090 Back Panel Features
1
6
544 4
342
1. Thunderbolt 3 MXI-Express Ports
2. 10 MHz REF IN SMA Connector
3. Kensington Slot
4. Chassis Grounding Terminal
5. Universal AC Input
6. Power Inhibit Switch
PXIe-1090 Backplane Overview
Interoperability with CompactPCI
The PXIe-1090 design provides the flexibility to use the following devices in a single PXI
Express chassis:
• PXI Express compatible products
• CompactPCI Express compatible Type-2 peripheral products
• PXI peripheral products modified to fit in a hybrid slot
• Standard CompactPCI peripheral products modified to fit in a hybrid slot
ThunderboltTM 3 Interface
The PXIe-1090 chassis has a built-in Intel Thunderbolt 3 interface accessible through two
Thunderbolt 3 ports on the back of the chassis. This enables control of the PXIe-1090 from a
host PC that includes a Thunderbolt 3 port and is running a native (nonvirtualized) operating
system that supports Thunderbolt connectivity.
Note The PXIe-1090 chassis does not include a slot 1; the Thunderbolt 3 ports
replace this slot.
Thunderbolt technology is transparent to device drivers, so no additional software is needed
for CompactPCI Express-level support for PXI Express devices in connected chassis.
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Note For full PXI/PXI Express functionality such as chassis and controller
identification, trigger routing, and slot detection, install the latest version of PXI
Platform Services. This software is included with your kit; you also can find it at
ni.com/downloads by searching for PXI Platform Services.
The link between the PC and the chassis is a Thunderbolt 3 link. The link can transmit at a rate
of up to 40 Gbps in each direction simultaneously.
Basic MXI-Express Thunderbolt Systems
The simplest MXI-Express Thunderbolt system consists of a PC connected to a PXIe-1090 via
a Thunderbolt port on the chassis, as shown in the following figure.
Figure 3. Example of a Basic MXI-Express Thunderbolt Link Topology
Thunderbolt Bus Extension
You can daisy-chain from a PXIe-1090 controlled by a PC to an additional Thunderbolt 3
compatible device. The following figure shows how you can use a PXIe-1090 to connect
multiple Thunderbolt 3 compatible devices to a PC in a daisy-chain topology.
PXIe-1090 User Guide | © National Instruments Corporation | 5

Figure 4. Example of a Daisy-Chain Thunderbolt Link Topology
Hybrid Peripheral Slot
The hybrid peripheral slot can accept the following peripheral modules:
• A PXI Express peripheral with x8, x4, or x1 PCI Express link.
• A CompactPCI Express Type-2 Peripheral with x8, x4, or x1 PCI Express link.
• A hybrid-compatible PXI Peripheral module modified by replacing the J2 connector with
an XJ4 connector installed in the upper eight rows of J2. Refer to the PXI Express
Specification for details. The PXI peripheral communicates through the backplane’s
32-bit PCI bus.
• A CompactPCI 32-bit peripheral on the backplane’s 32-bit PCI bus.
The hybrid peripheral slot provides full PXI Express functionality and 32-bit PXI functionality
except for PXI Local Bus. The hybrid peripheral slot connects to only PXI Local Bus 6 right.
PXI Local Bus
The PXI backplane local bus is a daisy-chained bus that connects each peripheral slot with
adjacent peripheral slots.
The backplane routes PXI Local Bus 6 between PXI slots. The left local bus 6 from slot 2 and
right local bus 6 from slot 3 are not routed anywhere.
Local bus signals may range from high-speed TTL signals to analog signals as high as 42 V.
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Initialization software uses the configuration information specific to each adjacent peripheral
module to evaluate local bus compatibility.
PXI Trigger Bus
All slots share eight PXI trigger lines. You can use these trigger lines in a variety of ways. For
example, you can use triggers to synchronize the operation of several different PXI peripheral
modules. Modules can pass triggers to one another on the lines, allowing precisely timed
responses to asynchronous external events the system is monitoring or controlling.
Dynamic routing of triggers (automatic line assignments) is supported through certain NI
drivers like NI-DAQmx.
Note Although any trigger line may be routed in either direction, it cannot be
routed in more than one direction at a time.
System Reference Clock
The PXIe-1090 chassis supplies PXI_CLK10, PXIe_CLK100, and PXIe_SYNC100 to every
peripheral slot with an independent driver for each signal.
An independent buffer (having a source impedance matched to the backplane and a skew of
less than 250 ps between slots) drives PXI_CLK10 to each peripheral slot. You can use this
common reference clock signal to synchronize multiple modules in a measurement or control
system.
An independent buffer drives PXIe_CLK100 to each peripheral slot. These clocks are matched
in skew to less than 100 ps. The differential pair must be terminated on the peripheral with
LVPECL termination for the buffer to drive PXIe_CLK100 so that when there is no peripheral
or a peripheral that does not connect to PXIe_CLK100, there is no clock being driven on the
pair to that slot.
An independent buffer drives PXIe_SYNC100 to each peripheral slot. The differential pair
must be terminated on the peripheral with LVPECL termination for the buffer to drive
PXIe_SYNC100 so that when there is no peripheral or a peripheral that does not connect to
PXIe_SYNC100, there is no SYNC100 signal being driven on the pair to that slot.
PXI_CLK10, PXIe_CLK100, and PXIe_SYNC100 have the default timing relationship
described in the following figure.
Figure 5. System Reference Clock Default Behavior
PXIe_CLK100
PXI_CLK10
PXIe_SYNC100
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
PXIe-1090 User Guide | © National Instruments Corporation | 7

Installation and Configuration
The following section describes how to prepare and operate the PXIe-1090 chassis.
Before connecting the chassis to a power source, read this section and the Read Me First:
Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility document included with your kit.
Safety Information
Caution Before undertaking any troubleshooting, maintenance, or exploratory
procedure, carefully read the following caution notices.
Caution Protection may be impaired if equipment is not used in the manner
specified.
This equipment contains voltage hazardous to human life and safety, and is capable of
inflicting personal injury.
• Protective Earth—The facility installation must provide a means for connection to
protective earth.
• Chassis Grounding—The chassis requires a connection from the premise wire safety
ground to the chassis ground. The earth safety ground must be connected during use of
this equipment to minimize shock hazards. Refer to the Connecting the Safety Ground
section for instructions on connecting safety ground.
• Live Circuits—Operating personnel and service personnel must not remove protective
covers when operating or servicing the chassis. Adjustments and service to internal
components must be undertaken by qualified service technicians. During service of this
product, the mains connector to the premise wiring must be disconnected. Dangerous
voltages may be present under certain conditions; use extreme caution.
• Explosive Atmosphere—Do not operate the chassis in conditions where flammable gases
are present. Under such conditions, this equipment is unsafe and may ignite the gases or
gas fumes.
• Part Replacement—Only service this equipment with parts that are exact replacements,
both electrically and mechanically. Contact NI for replacement part information.
Installation of parts with those that are not direct replacements may cause harm to
personnel operating the chassis. Furthermore, damage or fire may occur if replacement
parts are unsuitable.
• Modification—Do not modify any part of the chassis from its original condition.
Unsuitable modifications may result in safety hazards.
Chassis Cooling Considerations
The PXIe-1090 chassis is designed to operate on a bench or in an instrument rack. You must
adhere to the cooling clearances as outlined in the following section.
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Providing Adequate Clearance
As shown below, the PXIe-1090 module and power supply intake vents are on the right side of
the chassis. The module and power supply exhaust vents are on the left side of the chassis.
Figure 6. PXIe-1090 Cooling Air Flow
1
2
4
3
1. Module Exhaust
2. Power Supply Exhaust
3. Power Supply Intake
4. Module Intake
You must maintain adequate clearance between the chassis and surrounding equipment, heat
generating devices, and air flow blockages to ensure proper cooling. Minimum cooling
clearances are shown in the following figure. For rack mount applications, adequate forced air
ventilation is required. For benchtop or rack mount applications, additional cooling clearances
may be required for optimal air flow and reduced hot air recirculation to the air inlet fans.
PXIe-1090 User Guide | © National Instruments Corporation | 9

Figure 7. PXIe-1090 Cooling Clearances
44.5 mm
(1.75 in.)
44.5 mm
(1.75 in.)
Note Failure to provide these clearances may result in undesired thermal-related
issues with the chassis or modules.
To aid in thermal health monitoring for either rack or benchtop use, you can monitor the
chassis intake temperatures in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to ensure the
temperatures do not exceed the ratings in the Operating Environment section of the PXIe-1090
Specifications.
Additionally, many PXI modules provide temperature values you can monitor to ensure
critical temperatures are not exceeded. Increasing chassis clearances, ventilation, reducing
external ambient temperatures, and removing nearby heat sources are all options for improving
overall chassis thermal performance.
Chassis Ambient Temperature Definition
The chassis fan control system uses ambient intake air temperatures for controlling fan speeds
when in Auto mode. These temperatures may be higher than ambient room temperature
depending on surrounding equipment and/or airflow blockages. Ensure ambient intake
temperatures do not exceed the ratings in the Operating Environment section of the PXIe-1090
Specifications. You can monitor the module ambient intake temperatures in NI Measurement
& Automation Explorer (MAX).
Setting Fan Speed
The PXIe-1090 chassis supports multiple fan operating modes. Refer to the Fan Mode section
for more information.
Installing Filler Panels
To maintain proper module cooling performance, install filler panels (one is provided with the
chassis) in unused or empty slots. Secure with the captive mounting screws provided.
Installing Slot Blockers
You can improve the cooling performance of the chassis by installing optional slot blockers.
Refer to the NI website at ni.com/info and enter the Info Code slotblocker for more
information about slot blockers.
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Connecting the Safety Ground
Caution The PXIe-1090 chassis is designed with a three-position IEC 60320 C14
inlet for the U.S. that connects the ground line to the chassis ground. For proper
grounding, you must use a suitable cordset to connect this inlet to an appropriate
earth safety ground.
If your power outlet does not have an appropriate ground connection, you must connect the
premise safety ground to the chassis grounding screw located on the rear panel. To connect the
safety ground, complete the following steps:
1. Connect a 16 AWG (1.3 mm) wire to the chassis grounding screw (M4 SEMS) using a
grounding lug. The wire must have green insulation with a yellow stripe or must be
noninsulated (bare).
2. Attach the opposite end of the wire to permanent earth ground using toothed washers or a
toothed lug.
Connecting to a Power Source
Caution Do not install modules prior to performing the following power-on test.
To completely remove power, you must disconnect the AC power cable.
Attach input power through the rear AC inlet using the appropriate AC power cable supplied.
The Power Inhibit switch allows you to power on the chassis or place it in standby mode. With
an empty chassis in Default Mode, press down the Power Inhibit switch and hold it down for
one second. Observe that all fans become operational, the System LED is green, and the MXI
LED is solid amber (without a host PC). Pressing and holding the Power Inhibit switch again
for one second will return the chassis to standby.
Cabling
The following table shows the various MXI-Express Thunderbolt cables available from NI.
Table 2. NI MXI-Express Thunderbolt Cables
Description Cable Length (Meters) Part Number
MXI-Express Thunderbolt active cable 2 m 785607-02
MXI-Express Thunderbolt passive cable 2 m 785608-02
MXI-Express Thunderbolt passive cable 0.8 m 787580-0R8
Connect the MXI-Express Thunderbolt cable to the host PC Thunderbolt port and PXIe-1090.
The cables have no polarity, so you can connect either end to either Thunderbolt port. The
PXIe-1090 User Guide | © National Instruments Corporation | 11

cable plugs are reversible, and there is no defined upstream or downstream port on the
PXIe-1090.
Note Although Thunderbolt is a hotpluggable technology, avoid removing the
cable after the system is powered on. Doing so can hang or cause errors in
applications communicating with devices behind MXI-Express Thunderbolt. If a
cable becomes unplugged, plug it back into the system.
For more information about MXI-Express Thunderbolt cabling, go to ni.com/thunderbolt.
Powering On/Off the MXI-Express Thunderbolt System
This chassis includes a feature to follow host power based on the Thunderbolt connection.
Refer to the table below to determine how to power on or off the chassis based on the
connection to the host.
Table 3. Chassis Inhibit Mode: Default (Refer to Inhibit Mode for More Information)
PXIe-1090 Power Thunderbolt
Connection to Host
Actions Required
To power on the PXIe-1090 Not present Press the power button
Hot plug a Thunderbolt cable with a
powered on host on the other end
Present Power on the host
To power off the PXIe-1090 Not present Press the power button
Present Hot unplug the Thunderbolt cable
Power off the host
Press the power button > 4 s (this
causes a forced shutdown)
Table 4. Chassis Inhibit Mode: Manual (Refer to Inhibit Mode for More Information)
PXIe-1090 Power Actions Required
To power on the PXIe-1090 AC on
To power off the PXIe-1090 AC off
Observe the PXIe-1090 LED status where applicable. A properly connected and powered up
system should report a valid link and power status once the host PC is powered on. Refer to
LED Indicators for more information.
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Installing Peripheral Modules
This section contains general installation instructions for installing a peripheral module in a
PXIe-1090 chassis. Refer to your peripheral module user manual for specific instructions and
warnings. To install a module, complete the following steps:
Note To avoid possible damage to a peripheral module when you install it in the
PXIe-1090 chassis, the chassis must be in a vertical orientation, as shown in the
following figure. Do not install a peripheral module with the chassis in a horizontal
orientation.
Note The PXIe-1090 chassis also must be in a vertical orientation when you
remove a peripheral module from the chassis. Do not remove a peripheral module
with the chassis in a horizontal orientation.
1. Connect the AC power source to the PXI Express chassis before installing the module.
The AC power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage while you
install the module.
2. Ensure that the chassis is powered off.
3. Install a module into a chassis slot by first placing the module card PCB into the front of
the card guides (top and bottom), as shown in the following figure. Slide the module to
the rear of the chassis, making sure that the injector/ejector handle is pushed down, as
shown in the following figure.
4. When you begin to feel resistance, push up on the injector/ejector handle to fully seat the
module into the chassis frame. Secure the module front panel to the chassis using the
module front-panel mounting screws.
PXIe-1090 User Guide | © National Instruments Corporation | 13

Figure 8. Installing PXI, PXI Express, or CompactPCI Peripheral Modules
UP
3
2
1
4
5
1. Injector/Ejector Handle
2. PXI Express Peripheral Module
3. Peripheral Module Front Panel Mounting Screws
(2x)
4. PXIe-1090 Chassis (in a Vertical Orientation)
5. Injector/Ejector Rail
LED Indicators
MXI LED
The tri-color MXI LED on the PXIe-1090 front panel gives status information about the power
supply and link state, as the following table describes.
Table 5. MXI LED Colors
LED Color Meaning
MXI
Off Power is off.
Blinking red Power is out of spec.
Solid amber Power is within spec; no link to chassis.
Solid green Power is within spec; link established.
System LED
The following figure shows the rear panel System LED. The following table describes the
System LED states.
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Figure 9. PXIe-1090 System LED
Table 6. Front Panel System LED States
LED State Description
System
Off Chassis is powered off.
Steady green Chassis is powered on and operating normally.
Steady red Indicates temperature is out of range, or an internal chassis fault has
occurred.
DIP Switches
Use the DIP switches to control chassis behavior. Refer to the following figure for the DIP
switches location.
Figure 10. PXIe-1090 Dip Switches Location
PXIe-1090 User Guide | © National Instruments Corporation | 15

DIP switch #1 (on the left) controls the chassis fan mode. Set this switch in the off position
(down in the following figure) to select Auto mode. Set this switch in the on position (up in
the following figure) to select High mode.
DIP switch #2 (in the center) controls the chassis Inhibit Mode. Set this switch in the off
position (down in the following figure) to select Default mode. Set this switch in the on
position (up in the following figure) to select Manual mode.
DIP switch #3 (on the right) controls the host power up mode. Set this switch in the off
position (down in the following figure) to select Default mode. Set this switch in the on
position (up in the following figure) to select Manual mode.
Figure 11. PXIe-1090 DIP Switches
123
ON
1. Switch #1 (Fan)
2. Switch #2 (Inhibit)
3. Switch #3 (Host Power)
Table 7. DIP Switch States
Location Switch State Description
1 Fan Off (Down) Set chassis fan mode to Auto. Refer to the Fan Mode
section for information.
On (Up) Set chassis fan mode to High.
2 Inhibit Off (Down) Set chassis inhibit mode to Default. Refer to the Inhibit
Mode section for information.
On (Up) Set chassis inhibit mode to Manual.
3 Host Power Off (Down) Set host power up mode to Default. Refer to the
Default Host Power Up Mode section for information.
On (Up) Set host power up mode to Manual.
Inhibit Mode
The PXIe-1090 chassis supports operation in two inhibit modes. Use Default mode when you
desire normal Power Inhibit switch functionality. In Default mode, when no host is connected
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to the chassis Thunderbolt port, you can press the Power Inhibit switch to power on the
chassis. When the host is connected to the chassis via a Thunderbolt cable, the chassis follows
the host's power states.
In Manual mode, the chassis powers up when you apply AC power and shuts down when you
remove AC power.
Inhibit Mode Selection
You can select the PXIe-1090 chassis Inhibit Mode using a DIP switch on the top of the card
cage. Refer to the DIP Switches section for the DIP switch location and more information
about DIP switch settings.
Default Host Power Up Mode
The PXIe-1090 supports two host power up modes. Use default mode to have the chassis turn
on when the Thunderbolt cable is plugged into a PC or the Power Inhibit switch is pressed.
Unplug the cable to turn off the chassis. You also can turn off the chassis by pressing the
Power Inhibit switch for 4 seconds. Use manual mode to have the chassis power on or off with
only the Power Inhibit switch.
Fan Mode
The PXIe-1090 chassis operates in two main fan modes.
In Auto mode, the chassis intake air temperature determines the chassis fans' speed. Select
Auto mode for improved acoustic performance.
In High mode, the chassis fans' speed is fixed at high speed regardless of chassis intake air
temperature. Select High mode for maximum cooling performance.
Cooling Profiles
Both fan modes are available within the 38 W and 58 W cooling profiles.
• 38 W cooling profile supports NI modules up to 38 W max power dissipation
• 58 W cooling profile supports NI modules up to 58 W max power dissipation
Note Refer to Operating Environment requirements in the PXIe-1090
Specifications for more information about chassis ambient temperature range and
cooling capacity.
Fan Mode Selection
You can select the chassis fan mode using Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
Refer to the Fan Configuration in MAX section for more information.
PXIe-1090 User Guide | © National Instruments Corporation | 17

You also can select the PXIe-1090 chassis fan mode using a DIP switch. Refer to the DIP
Switches section for more information.
Note The DIP switch must be in the Auto position for software configuration in
MAX to work. If the DIP switch is in the High position, the chassis fan mode will be
High regardless of the software setting.
PXI Express System Configuration with MAX
The PXI Platform Services software included with your chassis automatically identifies your
PXI Express system components to generate a pxiesys.ini file. You can configure your
entire PXI system and identify PXI-1 chassis through Measurement & Automation Explorer
(MAX), included with your system controller. PXI Platform Services creates the
pxiesys.ini and pxisys.ini file, which define your PXI system parameters.
Note The configuration steps for single or multiple-chassis systems are the same.
MAX provides the following chassis information:
• Asset information, such as serial number or part number
• Chassis number
• Voltages, temperatures, and fan speed
• Fan and cooling settings
• Slot details
• Chassis self-test
• Firmware update
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Figure 12. Chassis Settings in MAX
Note Information available through MAX may vary based on your chassis variant
or firmware and platform services version.
Trigger Configuration in MAX
PXI Platform Services provides an interface to route and reserve triggers so dynamic routing,
through drivers such as DAQmx, avoids double-driving and potentially damaging trigger lines.
The PXIe-1090 has a trigger bus with eight lines numbered 0 through 7 that can be reserved
and routed statically or dynamically. Static reservation pre-allocates a trigger line to prevent
its configuration by a user program. Dynamic reservation/routing/deallocation is on the fly
within a user program based on NI APIs such as NI-DAQmx. NI recommends dynamic
PXIe-1090 User Guide | © National Instruments Corporation | 19

reservations and routing are used whenever possible. If static reservations are required, static
reservation of trigger lines can be implemented by the user in MAX through the Triggers tab.
Fan Configuration in MAX
You can configure fan behavior using software settings in MAX.
The PXIe-1090 supports both Auto and High fan modes for both the 38 W and 58 W cooling
profiles. Refer to the Fan Mode section for more information about these modes.
You may also select a Manual fan mode. In this mode, you may manually set the fan speeds to
achieve the desired performance.
Note You may not set the fan speeds or power settings lower than the minimum
level required to maintain required cooling levels.
Complete the following steps to change the fan settings in MAX .
1. In the Configuration tree, click on the PXI chassis you want to configure.
2. In the right-hand pane, click on the Settings tab.
3. In the Fans group, select the desired Mode and Cooling Profile using the drop-down
menus.
4. Click the Save button. Shortly after clicking the Save button, you should see the fan
speeds change.
Using System Configuration and Initialization Files
The PXI Express specification allows many combinations of PXI Express chassis and system
modules. To assist system integrators, the manufacturers of PXI Express chassis and system
modules must document the capabilities of their products. The minimum documentation
requirements are contained in .ini files, which consist of ASCII text. System integrators,
configuration utilities, and device drivers can use these .ini files.
The capability documentation for the PXIe-1090 chassis is contained in the chassis.ini
file on the software media that comes with the chassis. The information in this file is combined
with information about the system controller to create a single system initialization file called
pxisys.ini (PXI System Initialization). The system controller manufacturer either provides
a pxisys.ini file for the particular chassis model that contains the system controller or
provides a utility that can read an arbitrary chassis.ini file and generate the corresponding
pxisys.ini file. System controllers from NI provide the pxisys.ini file for the
PXIe-1090 chassis, so you should not need to use the chassis.ini file. Refer to the
documentation provided with the system controller or to ni.com/support for more information
on pxisys.ini and chassis.ini files.
Device drivers and other utility software read the pxisys.ini file to obtain system
information. The device drivers should have no need to directly read the chassis.ini file.
For detailed information regarding initialization files, refer to the PXI Express specification at
www.pxisa.org.
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