NI PXIe-8301 User manual

PXIe-8301
Features
2022-07-06

Contents
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Description and Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Functional Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Functional Block Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Basic MXI-Express Thunderbolt Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Thunderbolt Bus Extension. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Host and Operating System Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Backwards Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installation and Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Equipment Needed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Unpacking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hardware Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installing a PXIe-8301. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Cabling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Powering On the MXI-Express Thunderbolt System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Powering O the MXI-Express Thunderbolt System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
LED Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Soware Installation and Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Common Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
General Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
General Soware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
PXIe-8301 Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Physical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Power Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Documentation Notice for Third Party Soware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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Introduction
This document provides installation, configuration, and reference information for
the PXIe-8301 remote control module.
Description and Features
Note In this manual, whenever a PXI Express chassis is referenced, you
could use a CompactPCI Express chassis instead.
MXI-Express Thunderbolt extends PCI Express communication over Thunderbolt
cable. With MXI-Express Thunderbolt, you can do the following:
■Control a PXI Express backplane with a Thunderbolt-enabled PC or laptop.
■Physically separate the measurement or automation system from a host PC.
Functional Overview
The PXIe-8301 remote control module is based on Intel Thunderbolt 3 technology.
This enables control of a PXI Express chassis from a host PC with an available
Thunderbolt 3 port. Thunderbolt technology is transparent to device drivers, so no
additional soware is needed for CompactPCI Express-level support for PXI Express
devices in connected chassis.
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 soware is included with your kit; you also
can find it at ni.com/updates by searching for PXI Platform Services.
The link between the PC and the chassis is a Thunderbolt 3 link. This link is a dual-
simplex communication channel comprised of dierentially driven signal pairs. The
link can transmit at a rate of up to 40 Gbps in each direction simultaneously.
© National Instruments 3
PXIe-8301 Features

Functional Block Diagram
Figure 1. PXIe-8301 Block Diagram
SMBus
Master
PCI Express Gen 3 x4
PCI Express Gen 3 x4
PCI Express Gen 3 x4
PCI Express Gen 3 x4
PCI Express
Switch
Thunderbolt 3
PCI
Express
Gen 3 x4
Thunderbolt
Controller
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt
The PXIe-8301 supports 2 and 4-link configuration per the chassis' capabilities.
The PXIe-8301 is compatible with previous generations of PXI Express but requires a
Gen 3 PXI Express chassis for maximum performance. National Instruments oers
Gen 3 chassis that allow the PXIe-8301 to establish Gen 3 backplane links.
Basic MXI-Express Thunderbolt Systems
The simplest MXI-Express Thunderbolt system consists of a PC connected to a
PXIe-8301 in the controller slot of a PXI Express chassis, as shown in the following
figure.
Figure 2. Example of a Basic MXI-Express Thunderbolt Link Topology
Thunderbolt Bus Extension
You can daisy-chain from a PXI Express chassis controlled by a laptop to an
additional Thunderbolt 3 compatible device using MXI-Express Thunderbolt
products. The following figure shows how you can use MXI-Express Thunderbolt
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cards to connect multiple Thunderbolt 3 compatible devices to a PC in a daisy-chain
topology.
Figure 3. Example of a Daisy-Chain MXI-Express Thunderbolt Link Topology
Host and Operating System Compatibility
The PXIe-8301 remote control module is compatible with host PCs that contain a
Thunderbolt 3 port and are running a native (nonvirtualized) operating system that
supports Thunderbolt connectivity. Note that while an operating system may
support a Thunderbolt connection, it may lack support for other National
Instruments hardware and soware.
Backwards Compatibility
National Instruments recommends connecting the PXIe-8301 remote control
module to a Thunderbolt 3 port on the host PC using a Thunderbolt 3 cable.
Because Thunderbolt 3 is backwards-compatible with previous Thunderbolt
generations, it may be possible to use adapters to establish connections with host
PCs or devices with previous-generation Thunderbolt ports. Data throughput
performance may vary between Thunderbolt generations.
Installation and Configuration
This section explains how to unpack, install, and configure the MXI-Express
Thunderbolt hardware and soware.
© National Instruments 5
PXIe-8301 Features

Equipment Needed
■Host PC with an available Thunderbolt 3 port
■PXI Express chassis
■Thunderbolt 3 cable
■One PXIe-8301
Unpacking
Your MXI-Express Thunderbolt products are shipped in antistatic packages to
prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) to the devices. ESD can damage several
components on the device.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors. Doing so may
damage the device.
To avoid such damage in handling the device, take the following precautions:
■Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object.
■Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis before
removing the device from the package.
Remove the device from the package and inspect the device for loose components
or any sign of damage. Notify NI if the device appears damaged in any way. Do not
install a damaged device into the computer or into a PXI Express chassis.
Store the device in the antistatic envelope when not in use.
Hardware Installation
Caution The protection provided by the MXI-Express Thunderbolt
products can be impaired if it is used in a manner not described in this
document.
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Installing a PXIe-8301
Complete the following steps to install the PXIe-8301 in your PXI Express chassis.
1. Power o your PXI Express chassis, but leave it plugged in while installing the
PXIe-8301. The power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical
damage while you install the module.
Caution To protect both yourself and the chassis from electrical
hazards, leave the chassis o until you finish installing the
PXIe-8301.
2. Remove or open any doors or covers blocking access to the system slot of the
PXI Express chassis in which you intend to install the PXIe-8301.
3. Touch a metal part of the chassis to discharge any static electricity that might
be on your clothes or body.
4. Make sure the injector/ejector handle is in its downward position. Be sure to
remove all connector packaging and protective caps from retaining screws on
the module. Align the PXIe-8301 with the card guides on the top and bottom
of the system controller slot.
Caution Do not raise the injector/ejector handle as you insert the
PXIe-8301 board. It will not insert properly unless the handle is in its
downward position so that it does not interfere with the injector/
ejector rail on the chassis, as shown in the following figure.
5. Hold the handle as you slowly slide the module into the chassis system slot
until the handle catches on the injector/ejector rail.
6. Raise the injector/ejector handle until the module firmly seats into the
backplane receptacle connectors. The front panel of the PXIe-8301 should be
even with the front panel of the chassis.
7. Tighten the bracket-retaining screws on the top and bottom of the front panel
to secure the NI PXI Express board to the chassis.
8. Replace or close any doors or covers to the chassis.
© National Instruments 7
PXIe-8301 Features

Figure 4. PXIe-8301 Installation In a PXI Express Chassis
2
3
1
4
1. PXI Express Chassis
2. PXIe-8301
3. Ejector Handle in Down Position
4. Injector/Ejector Rail
Cabling
The following table shows the various MXI-Express Thunderbolt cables available
from National Instruments.
Description Cable Length (Meters) Part Number
MXI-Express Thunderbolt active cable 2 m 785607-02
MXI-Express Thunderbolt passive cable 2 m 785608-02
Connect the MXI-Express Thunderbolt cable to the host PC Thunderbolt port and
MXI-Express Thunderbolt card. The cables have no polarity, so you can connect
either end to either card. The cable plugs are reversible, and there is no defined
upstream or downstream port on the PXIe-8301.
Caution Although Thunderbolt is a hotpluggable technology, avoid
removing the cable aer the system is powered on. Doing so can hang or
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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 the MXI-Express Thunderbolt System
Power up both the PXI Express chassis and the host PC. There are no requirements
for how they are powered on. Observe the LED status on the PXIe-8301 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 the LED Indicators
section for more information.
Powering O the MXI-Express Thunderbolt System
Power o both the chassis and host PC individually.
LED Indicator
The tri-color PWR/LINK LED on the PXIe-8301 front panel gives status information
about the power supply and link state, as the following table describes.
Board LED Color Meaning
PXIe-8301 (140652x-01L) PWR/LINK O Power is o
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
Soware Installation and Configuration
MXI-Express Thunderbolt is based on PCI Express technology, using PCI Express
switches and/or bridges to enable control of a PXI Express chassis from a host with
an available Thunderbolt 3 port. This technology is recognized as a collection of PCI-
© National Instruments 9
PXIe-8301 Features

to-PCI bridges to the operating system, and should automatically have CompactPCI
Express level support without any additional soware.
Note For full PXI/PXI Express functionality such as chassis and controller
identification, trigger routing, and slot detection, install the PXI Platform
Services soware included with your kit. You also can find this soware at
ni.com/updates by searching for PXI Platform Services.
For operating system support, refer to the KnowledgeBase 53399AQ7, PXI Platform
Services Operating System Support, at ni.com/kb.
Note The following requires the PXI Platform Services soware and
Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), included on your PXI
Platform Services CD or your driver CD.
For information about configuring your system in MAX, open MAX and navigate to
Help»Help Topics»PXI.
Common Questions
This section lists common questions related to the use of the MXI-Express
Thunderbolt controllers.
General Hardware
Can I daisy-chain multiple chassis using a PXIe-8301 device?
NI oicially supports only one chassis configuration. While it may be possible to
connect additional chassis, this capability will vary across your specific hardware
setup.
Will my PC work with MXI-Express Thunderbolt products?
Your PC will work with MXI-Express Thunderbolt products if it has a Thunderbolt
port or a port with a Thunderbolt marking.
Can I use the PXIe-8301 with any USB or USB Type-C port on my PC?
No. The PXIe-8301 requires your host PC to have a Thunderbolt 3 port.
How is Thunderbolt 3 different from USB Type-C?
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