Chapter 1
Introduction
Fiber-Optic MXI-Express x4 for PXI Express User Manual
1-2
ni.com
Basic Fiber-Optic MXI-Express x4 System
The simplest Fiber-Optic MXI-Express x4 system consists of an
NI PCIe-8375 in a PC connected to an NI PXIe-8375 in the controller slot
of a PXI Express or CompactPCI Express chassis, as shown in Figure 1-1.
Figure 1-1.
Basic MXI-Express x4 Configuration
Larger Fiber-Optic MXI-Express x4 Systems
It is possible to control more than one PXI Express chassis with a single PC.
There are two possible topologies: star topology or daisy-chain topology.
The star topology requires the host PC to have a PCI Express x4 slot
available for each PXI Express chassis you want to control. Each PXI
Express chassis is connected directly to an NI PCIe-8375 installed in the
host computer. This topology has the highest throughput; however, it
requires one PCI Express x4 slot and one NI PCIe-8375 for each
PXI Express chassis. Figure 1-2 shows an example of a star topology.
The NI PXIe-8375 has two Fiber-Optic ports on its front panel: an upstream
port (for connecting towards the host) and a downstream port (which allows
for daisy chaining). In the daisy-chain configuration, only a single
PCI Express x4 slot is required in the host, but the data throughput might
be lower, especially for devices further down the chain. Figure 1-2 also
shows an example of a daisy chain configuration.
PC to PXI Express/CompactPCI Express
