National Instruments NI PXI-6541, Getting Started Manual, Page: 3 / 40

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Contents
1. Verifying the System Components .......................................................................................4
2. Unpacking.............................................................................................................................4
3. Verifying the Kit Contents....................................................................................................4
Documentation..................................................................................................................5
Ferrites (NI PXIe-6544/6545/6547/6548 Only) ...............................................................5
EMI Gasket (NI PXI-6551/6552 Only) ............................................................................5
4. Installing the Software ..........................................................................................................5
Choose and Install Your ADE ..........................................................................................5
Install NI-HSDIO..............................................................................................................6
NI Script Editor.........................................................................................................6
(Optional) Install the NI Digital Waveform Editor ..........................................................6
5. Installing the Hardware.........................................................................................................6
Installing a PXI Module....................................................................................................7
Installing a PXI Express Module ......................................................................................8
Installing a Two-Slot PXI Express Module......................................................................9
Maintaining PXI/PXI Express Systems............................................................................9
Uninstalling PXI/PXI Express Modules ...........................................................................9
Installing a PCI Device .....................................................................................................10
Maintaining PCI Systems .................................................................................................11
6. Configuring and Testing in MAX.........................................................................................11
Using the Test Panel to Generate and Acquire Digital Data ............................................12
7. Connecting Signals ...............................................................................................................14
Connecting Cables ............................................................................................................14
SMA/SMB Cabling...................................................................................................14
NI 654x/655x Cabling ..............................................................................................14
NI 656x Cabling........................................................................................................15
Using Accessories.............................................................................................................15
Creating a Custom Accessory...................................................................................19
Wiring for Common Measurements .................................................................................20
Dynamic Generation .................................................................................................20
Dynamic Acquisition ................................................................................................20
8. Programming the Digital Waveform Generator/Analyzer....................................................21
NI-HSDIO Instrument Driver...........................................................................................21
Acquiring the Data....................................................................................................21
NI SignalExpress Limited Edition (LE) ...........................................................................21
NI-HSDIO Examples........................................................................................................22
Appendix A: Device Front Panels ............................................................................................22
NI 654 x /6551/6552 Front Panels and Connectors ............................................................22
NI 6555/6556 Front Panels and Connectors .....................................................................27
NI 656
x Front Panels and Connectors ..............................................................................30
Appendix B: Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................35
Device Front Panel ACCESS LED on PXI Module is Off When PXI Chassis is On......35
Device Does Not Appear in MAX....................................................................................35
Device Failed the Self-Test...............................................................................................35
I Received a Thermal or Power Shutdown Error..............................................................36