Chapter 1
Introduction
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series User Manual
1-4
©
National Instruments Corporation
LabWindows/CVI is an interactive C development environment for
building test and measurement and instrument control systems. It includes
interactive code-generation tools and a graphical editor for building custom
user interfaces.
Hardware Description
VXI Slot 0 Functionality
You can use the VXIpc 600 Series computers to achieve full VXI Slot 0
control of your VXI system. You can also install the module in another slot
and use it in Non-Slot 0 mode. You do not have to change any jumpers
when moving between these two modes, as the VXIpc 600 Series
automatically detects whether it is installed in Slot 0 and automatically
enables or disables the onboard Slot 0 circuitry.
VME Slot 1 Functionality
In the same way, you can install the VMEpc-650 in Slot 1 for full System
Controller functionality, or you can use it in Non-Slot 1 mode. The
VMEpc-650 automatically detects whether it is in the System Controller
slot and it automatically enables or disables the onboard Slot 1 circuitry.
Custom Application-Specific Interface Chips
The VXI/VMEpc 600 Series uses the MITE and MANTIS custom ASICs
to deliver high VXI/VME performance DMA block-mode data transfer
rates across the VXI/VME backplane.
The VXI/VMEpc 600 Series has the TNT4882C custom ASIC to give full
GPIB control of external instruments via a front-panel connector. GPIB
capability is fully compatible with IEEE 488.2 and the industry-standard
NI-488.2 driver for a variety of operating systems.
The MITE custom ASIC is a sophisticated dual-channel DMA controller
with standard interfaces for VXI and PCI. By using MITE DMA to transfer
data and commands to and from devices, the MITE frees the computer’s
microprocessor to perform other tasks such as data analysis and
presentation. In addition to DMA, the MITE incorporates the new VME64
MBLT—8-byte block transfers in which both the address bus and data bus
are used to transfer data—directly into the ASIC to perform the fastest
transfer operation to instruments. With the multiple windowing scheme of
the MITE, you can easily access all of VXI/VME address space.