Page 4
Any action against National Instruments must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. National Instruments shall not be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control.
Page 5
Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Department of Communications (DOC). Changes or modifications not expressly approved by National Instruments could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the FCC Rules.
Page 6
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Canadian Department of Communications This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
How to Use This Documentation Set ................xiv Related Documentation....................xiv Chapter 1 Introduction Overview........................1-1 Standard Equipment.......................1-4 National Instruments Software ..................1-4 Driver Software ....................1-4 Application Software..................1-5 Chapter 2 Configuration and Installation What You Need to Get Started ..................2-1 Installing the VXIpc 870 Series..................2-1 Installing and Removing Flash Memory in the VXIpc-873 ..........2-3...
Page 8
Contents CPU Bus Factor ....................3-12 Flash Protection....................3-12 Ethernet Serial EEPROM................3-13 Voltage Monitor ....................3-13 NI WatchDOG ....................3-13 Installing Additional Memory................. 3-13 Changing the Main Power Fuse ..............3-14 Chapter 4 Developing Your Application Configuration......................... 4-1 Device Interaction ......................4-2 Programming with VXI....................
About This Manual This manual contains instructions for installing and configuring the National Instruments VXIpc 870 Series embedded computer kit. The VXIpc 870 Series includes all the models of the VXIpc 870 embedded computers. Conventions Used in This Manual The following conventions are used in this manual: This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.
About This Manual How to Use This Documentation Set Begin by reading the Read Me First VXIpc 870 Series for Windows NT/98 manual. This manual, the VXIpc 870 Series User Manual, contains more details about changing the installation or configuration from the defaults, and using the hardware.
National Instruments has developed several software kits you can use with the VXIpc 870 Series. Driver Software NI-VXI is the name of the National Instruments VXI bus control library. You can create applications using NI-VXI to control both VXI and VME devices. NI-VXI gives you complete VXI/VME functionality, including...
Chapter 1 Introduction Application Software You can also use the National Instruments LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI application programs and instrument drivers to ease your programming task. These standardized programs match the modular virtual instrument capability of VXI and can reduce your VXI software development time.
Monitor with VGA or better resolution ❑ National Instruments software media for the VXIpc 870 Series The NI-VXI/VISA software is already installed on your VXIpc 870 Series computer. It is also included on CD-ROM in the event that you need to reinstall your software.
Page 20
Chapter 2 Configuration and Installation Warning To protect both yourself and the mainframe from electrical hazards, the mainframe should remain off until you are finished installing the VXIpc 870 Series module. Remove or open any doors or covers blocking access to the mainframe slots.
Chapter 2 Configuration and Installation Press the ejector button at the bottom of the flash drive carrier slot until the flash storage card pops out of the drive. Slide the card out of the drive. Reinstall the cover plate and screws. 1 Ejector Button 2 Type I or II Flash Storage Card 3 Cover Panel...
Please do not adjust any jumpers or switches not listed in Table 3-1 or that are not documented in this manual unless directed by National Instruments. Other configuration jumpers are shown in the event National Instruments Technical Support needs to make adjustments to your settings.
Chapter 3 Configuration and Default Settings VXIbus System Controller/Non-System Controller The VXIpc 870 Series is configured at the factory to automatically detect if it is installed in Slot 0 of a VXIbus mainframe. With automatic System Controller slot detection, you can install the module into any VXIbus slot. You can manually configure the VXIpc 870 Series for either System Controller or Non-System Controller operation by defeating the automatic-detection circuitry.
Chapter 3 Configuration and Default Settings a. VXI Circuitry Loads Power-on b. Power-on Self Configuration Defaults from EEPROM (Default) Circuit is Disabled Figure 3-3. Power-on Self Configuration Status The EEPROM is divided into two halves—one half is factory configured and one half is user configurable. Use switch S1 to control the operation of the EEPROM.
Chapter 3 Configuration and Default Settings • NI WatchDOG • Installing additional memory This section also explains how to change the main power fuse. SCSI Termination The VXIpc 870 Series uses active termination on the SCSI-3 bus. Because the VXIpc 870 Series is always an end device, you should not need to disable the termination;...
All Pentium II CPUs are supported as of the release date of this document. The jumper settings in Figure 3-8 are provided to allow the user to upgrade as newer CPUs enter the market. Contact National Instruments for jumper settings as new CPUs are released.
16 MB × 64 SO-DIMMs—10 ns, 1.05 in. max. Note National Instruments has tested and verified that the SO-DIMMs we sell work with the VXIpc 870 Series. We recommend you purchase your SO-DIMM modules from National Instruments. Other off-the-shelf SO-DIMM modules are not guaranteed to work properly.
You can access these utilities through the Windows Start menu. Open either the National Instruments VXI or VXIpnp program group and select the utility you want to use. Configuration The configuration utilities in your kit are T&M Explorer and Resman.
Chapter 4 Developing Your Application using the Add VME Device Wizard to reserve system resources when the Resource Manager runs. Systems consisting of only a VMEpc 870 Series controller, a VME chassis, and VME boards do not need to run Resman when using NI-VXI software even though the devices do not appear in the T&M Explorer connection tree.
National Instruments provides two different programming interfaces for accessing your instruments: NI-VISA and NI-VXI. NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation of the VISA API as defined by the VXIplug&play standard. It is very useful when you have different types of instruments in your system (such as VXI, VME, GPIB, and Serial devices) because the NI-VISA functions have the same interface.
NI Spy, VISAIC, and VIC are useful utilities that can aid in identifying the causes of problems in your application. NI Spy tracks the calls your application makes to National Instruments T&M drivers including NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and NI-488.2. NI-488.2 users may notice that NI Spy is very similar to GPIB Spy.
Chapter 5 Functional Overview Pentium II SGRAM Video 3 SODIMM Ultra 2-USB AGP Graphics Intel 440BX Connector SDRAM Sockets DMA33 IDE Ports PCI Bus Real Time Clock MITE VXI 10/100 Enet miniMite PCI PCMCIA Intel PIIX4 Interface SCSI-3 BIOS ISA Bus NI Watch 1 Type I/II/III GPIB TNT...
IEEE 488.2/HS488 Interface The VXIpc 870 Series uses the miniMITE and TNT4882 ASIC (compatible with the National Instruments PCI-GPIB) to give full GPIB control of external instruments via a front-panel connector. GPIB control capability is fully IEEE 488.2 compatible. The GPIB interface on the VXIpc 870 Series is fully compatible with the National Instruments industry-standard NI-488.2 driver for a variety of operating systems.
• VXI interrupt • For more advanced features, please contact National Instruments The NI-VXI/VISA software makes it easy to use NI WatchDOG. The NI WatchDOG has a 32 kHz reference clock to clock an 8-bit prescaler that then clocks an 8-bit counter to accommodate timeouts up to 2 seconds.
Chapter 5 Functional Overview VXI Bus VXI Addressing The VXIpc 870 Series computers feature the MITE and MANTIS custom ASICs for accessing the VXI backplane resources. To access VXI memory or VXI devices, the VXIpc 870 Series uses the multiple-windowing scheme of the MITE, which makes it possible to access all of VXI address space.
Page 53
Appendix A Specifications Power Requirement +5 V is fused with a user-replaceable glass fuse, type 3AG, 15A, Slowblow. All other voltages use a resettable-type circuit protector that requires no replacement by the user. +5 V Typical..........8 A Maximum ........15 A –5.2 V Typical..........224.5 mA Maximum ........2 A...
Appendix B LED Indicators LEDs and System Startup Cycle Table B-1 shows a system startup cycle and possible points of failure, up to and including the state in which the ONLINE LED is asserted. Table B-1. LEDs and System Startup Status Possible Problem if Step LEDs Lit...
Page 60
Appendix C Front Panel and Connectors Front Panel Figure C-1 shows the front panel layout of the VXIpc-871, Figure C-2 shows the layout of the VXIpc-872, and Figures C-3 and C-4 show the layouts of the VXIpc-873 with nonremovable and removable flash drives, respectively.
Appendix C Front Panel and Connectors Keyboard and Mouse Figure C-5 shows the location and pinouts for the keyboard and mouse connectors on the VXIpc 870 Series. Table C-1 gives the name and description for the keyboard and mouse connector signals. Amp manufactures a mating connector with part numbers 212437-4 (housing), 212435-7 (ferrule), and 66735-4 (pin contact).
Page 66
Appendix C Front Panel and Connectors Table C-2. SVGA Connector Signals (Continued) Signal Name Signal Description Ground Not Connected Ground Not Connected Serial Data HSync Horizontal Sync VSync Vertical Sync Serial Clock Ethernet Figure C-7 shows the location and pinouts for the Ethernet connector on the VXIpc 870 Series Table C-3 gives the name and description for the Ethernet connector signals.
Appendix C Front Panel and Connectors Table C-4. COM1 and COM2 Connector Signals Signal Name Signal Description DCD* Data Carrier Detect RXD* Receive Data TXD* Transmit Data DTR* Data Terminal Ready Ground DSR* Data Set Ready RTS* Ready to Send CTS* Clear to Send Ring Indicator...
Appendix C Front Panel and Connectors Universal Serial Bus Figure C-10 shows the location and pinouts for the two Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors on the VXIpc 870 Series. Table C-6 gives the name and description for the USB connector signals. Amp manufactures a mating connector, part number 787633.
Page 72
Appendix C Front Panel and Connectors Table C-7. 16-Bit Wide SCSI-3 “P” (Primary) Connector Pinout (Single Ended) (Continued) High Density High Density 68-Pin 68-Pin SCSI Signal Connector SCSI Signal Connector DB(1)* DB(2)* DB(3)* DB(4)* DB(5)* DB(6)* DB(7)* TERMPWR TERMPWR TERMPWR TERMPWR RSRVD RSRVD...
Appendix C Front Panel and Connectors Table C-8. GPIB Connector Signals Signal Name Signal Description DIO1* Data Bit 1 DIO2* Data Bit 2 DIO3* Data Bit 3 DIO4* Data Bit 4 EOI* End or Identify DAV* Data Valid NRFD* Not Ready for Data NDAC* Not Data Accepted IFC*...
Appendix C Front Panel and Connectors Speaker Figure C-14 shows the location of the speaker connection on the VXIpc 870 Series. Switchcraft manufactures a mating speaker connector, part number 750. Speaker Figure C-14. Speaker Connection Location Signal Characteristics Refer to the relevant standard for the signal characteristics for VGA, SCSI, Ethernet, keyboard, mouse, parallel, serial, and GPIB.
Appendix C Front Panel and Connectors Table C-11. VXIbus P1 Connector Signals (Continued) Row C Row B Row A BR2* WRITE* BR3* DTACK* IACK* Not Connected IACKIN* Not Connected IACKOUT* IRQ7* IRQ6* IRQ5 IRQ4 IRQ3 IRQ2 IRQ1 +12 V Not Connected –12 V +5 V +5 V...
Page 81
• A user-defined panel is required on the expansion boards based on National Instruments blank PCI or ISA panels. The panel should be manufactured from 0.03 in. (0.76 mm) thick 1010 cold rolled steel. The finish should be 0.0003 in. (0.008 mm) nickel plate over 0.0001 in.
Page 85
Appendix E Common Questions What if my keyboard connector does not fit into the keyboard port? You can plug keyboards that have a 6-pin PS/2 type connector directly into the VXIpc 870 Series. Your kit also includes a keyboard adapter cable that you can use to adapt the larger AT keyboard connector to the 6-pin PS/2 connector.
Page 86
Resman is the name of the utility that performs the duties of a VXI Resource Manager as discussed in the VXIbus specification. When you set a National Instruments controller to Logical Address 0, you will at some point need to run Resman to configure your VXI instruments. If your...
Page 87
Appendix E Common Questions so when you power the chassis, Resman runs. If you power-cycle the chassis, the PC reboots, forcing Resman to run again. How do I handle VME devices? Although there is no way to automatically detect VME devices in a system, you can add them easily through the Add Device Wizard in T&M Explorer.
Technical Support Resources This appendix describes the comprehensive resources available to you in the Technical Support section of the National Instruments Web site and provides technical support telephone numbers for you to use if you have trouble connecting to our Web site or if you do not have internet access.
Page 90
If you have trouble connecting to our Web site, please contact your local National Instruments office or the source from which you purchased your National Instruments product(s) to obtain support. For telephone support in the United States, dial 512 795 8248. For...
Page 92
Glossary address space a set of 2 memory locations differentiated from other such sets in VXI/VMEbus systems by six addressing lines known as address modifiers. n is the number of address lines required to uniquely specify a byte location in a given space. Valid numbers for n are 16, 24, and 32. In VME/VXI, because there are six address modifiers, there are 64 possible address spaces.
Page 94
Glossary embedded controller an intelligent CPU (controller) interface plugged directly into the VXI backplane, giving it direct access to the VXIbus. It must have all of its required VXI interface capabilities built in. electromagnetic compliance electromagnetic interference external trigger a voltage pulse from an external source that triggers an event fair requester a VXIbus device that will not arbitrate for the VXIbus after releasing it until it detects the bus request signal inactive.
Page 96
(2) the prefix for 1,048,576, or 2 when used with B (byte) to quantify data or computer memory MANTIS a National Instruments custom ASIC that performs VXIbus arbitration and manages interrupts and triggers master a functional part of a VME/VXIbus device that initiates data transfers on the backplane.
Page 98
Glossary SYSFAIL A VMEbus signal that is used by a device to indicate an internal failure. A failed device asserts this line. In VXI, a device that fails also clears its PASSed bit in its Status register. trigger either TTL or ECL lines used for intermodule communication Transistor-Transistor Logic volts Video Graphics Array;...
Page 104
5-1 GPIB location and pinouts, connector signals, C-15 hardware defaults (table), 3-2 WatchDOG, 3-13, 5-4 IEEE-1284, C-10 Web support from National Instruments initializing, E-5 online problem-solving and diagnostic installation, 2-1 resources, F-1 installing in slot other than Slot 0, E-2...