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Warranty The NI PXI-8108 is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment that proves to be defective during the warranty period.
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Operation of this hardware in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference. Users are required to correct the interference at their own expense or cease operation of the hardware. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by National Instruments could void the user’s right to operate the hardware under the local regulatory rules.
Introduction Benefits of PXI ......................1-1 NI PXI-8108 ........................1-2 Description ......................1-2 Functional Overview ..................1-2 NI PXI-8108 Functional Description ..........1-2 National Instruments Software ..................1-4 Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration Installing the NI PXI-8108 ....................2-1 How to Remove the Controller from the PXI Chassis ........2-4 BIOS Setup ........................2-5...
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Front Panel........................3-2 DVI-I ....................... 3-3 COM1......................3-5 Ethernet ......................3-6 Parallel Port..................... 3-7 Universal Serial Bus..................3-9 Trigger......................3-10 GPIB (IEEE 488.2) ..................3-11 ExpressCard/34 Slot..................3-13 Front Panel Features ...................... 3-15 Data Storage ........................3-15 NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
National Instruments PXI-8108 embedded controller kit. How to Use the Documentation Set Begin by reading the NI PXI-8108 Installation Guide, a brief quick-start guide that describes how to install and get started with your controller. This manual, the NI PXI-8108 User Manual, contains more details about changing the installation or configuration from the defaults and using the hardware.
ExpressCard Standard, Release 1.0, PCMCIA • Universal Serial Bus (USB) Specification, Revision 2.0 • Digital Visual Interface (DVI) Specification, Revision 1.0 • IEEE Std 488.1-2003, IEEE Standard for Higher Performance Protocol for the Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
NI PXI-8108 embedded computer. NI PXI-8108 Functional Description The NI PXI-8108 is a modular PC in a PXI 3U-size form factor. Figure 1-1 is a functional block diagram of the NI PXI-8108. Following the diagram is a description of each logic block shown.
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Super I/O Watchdog COM 1 Timer Figure 1-1. NI PXI-8108 Block Diagram The NI PXI-8108 consists of the following logic blocks on the CPU module and the I/O module. The CPU module has the following logic blocks: ® ™ •...
The PXI Connector connects the NI PXI-8108 to the PXI/CompactPCI backplane. • The Super I/O block represents the other peripherals supplied by the NI PXI-8108. The NI PXI-8108 has one serial port, and an ECP/EPP parallel port. • The Gigabit Ethernet connects to either 10 Mbit, 100 Mbit, or 1,000 Mbit Ethernet interfaces.
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RTSI or PXI synchronization, self-calibration, messaging, and acquiring data to extended memory. For more information visit ni.com/daq National Instruments’ Modular Instruments use specialized drivers suited to each product’s specialization. Express VIs provide customized, interactive programming of instruments in a single interface and soft front panels provide an interface for testing the functionality of each instrument with no programming required.
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Chapter 1 Introduction NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation of the VISA specification. VISA is a uniform API for communicating and controlling USB, Serial, GPIB, PXI, VXI, and various other types of instruments. This API aids in the creation of portable applications and instrument drivers.
Consult your PXI chassis user manual for specific instructions and warnings. Plug in your chassis before installing the NI PXI-8108. The power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage while you install the module. (Make sure the power switch is turned off.)
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1 Protective Screw Cap (4X) Figure 2-1. Removing Protective Screw Caps Make sure the injector/ejector handle is in its downward position. Align the NI PXI-8108 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 NI PXI-8108.
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Raise the injector/ejector handle until the module firmly seats into the backplane receptacle connectors. The front panel of the NI PXI-8108 should be even with the front panel of the chassis. Tighten the four bracket-retaining screws on the top and bottom of the front panel to secure the NI PXI-8108 to the chassis.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration Figure 2-2 shows an NI PXI-8108 installed in the system controller slot of a National Instruments PXI-1042 chassis. You can place PXI devices in any other slots. 1 PXI-1042 Chassis 2 NI PXI-8108 Controller 3 Injector/Ejector Rail Figure 2-2.
The BIOS setup program includes menus for configuring settings and enabling NI PXI-8108 controller features. Most users do not need to use the BIOS setup program, as the NI PXI-8108 controller ships with default settings that work well for most configurations.
Caution Changing settings in this menu may result in an unstable or unbootable controller. If this happens, follow the procedures outlined in the System CMOS section to restore BIOS settings to their factory defaults. NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
Enabled. • Processor Type, Speed, and Number of Cores—These values indicate the type of processor used in the NI PXI-8108 controller, the speed of the processor, and the number of processor cores. Video Configuration Submenu Use this submenu to apply alternate settings to the video configuration.
(IRQ) information for the onboard parallel port. • Device Mode—This settings enables alternate modes of operation for the parallel port. Usually the default setting works for all applications. The default is STD Printer Mode. NI PXI-8108 User Manual 2-10 ni.com...
Hard Drive BBS Priorities—Use this setting to access the Hard Drive BBS Priorities submenu to re-order or disable bootable hard drive devices. Refer to the Hard Drive BBS Priorities Submenu section for more information. NI PXI-8108 User Manual 2-12 ni.com...
User’s password is set, then this is a power on password and must be entered to boot or enter the BIOS setup program. In the BIOS setup program, the User will have Administrator rights. By default, no password is specified. NI PXI-8108 User Manual 2-14 ni.com...
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration System CMOS The NI PXI-8108 contains a backed-up memory used to store BIOS configuration information. Complete the following steps to clear the CMOS contents: Power off the chassis. Remove the controller from the chassis. Press and hold down push-button switch SW2 for 2 to 3 seconds.
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Figure 2-4. Configuring RT Target Network Settings Expand the PXI controller view in the Remote Systems branch and select Software. Click the Add/Remove Software button in the toolbar to launch the LabVIEW Real-Time Software Wizard. NI PXI-8108 User Manual 2-18 ni.com...
Note You must reboot the controller for any changes to take place. The NI PXI-8108 controller includes the following LabVIEW RT configuration switches: • Switch 1—Boot LabVIEW RT: Set this switch to ON to boot LabVIEW RT.
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The switches are shown in the OFF position. 1 Switch 1—Boot LabVIEW RT 3 Switch 3—Disable Startup VI 2 Switch 2—Boot Safe Mode 4 Switch 4—Reset IP Address Figure 2-5. LabVIEW RT Configuration Switches NI PXI-8108 User Manual 2-20 ni.com...
PXI Features PXI Trigger Connectivity The SMB connector on the NI PXI-8108 front panel can connect to or from any PXI backplane trigger line. A trigger allocation process is needed to prevent two resources from connecting to the same trigger line, resulting in the trigger being double-driven and possibly damaging the hardware.
PXI system. The configuration steps for single or multiple-chassis systems are the same. An example of a multichassis configuration is shown in Figure 2-6. Figure 2-6. Multichassis Configuration in MAX NI PXI-8108 User Manual 2-22 ni.com...
PXI specification at www.pxisa.org Upgrading RAM You can change the amount of installed RAM on the NI PXI-8108 by upgrading the SO-DIMM. National Instruments offers the following types of SO-DIMMs for use with the NI PXI-8108 controller.
Figure 2-7. Installing a DDR2 SO-DIMM in an NI PXI-8108 Controller Hard Drive Recovery The NI PXI-8108 controller ships with an OS Recovery CD that allows you to reinstall your operating system onto your hard drive through an external CD-ROM such as a USB CD-ROM drive. Boot the PXI controller using the OS re-installation CD to recover the OS.
OS. When doing so, consider the following guidelines. Installing from a CD-ROM The NI PXI-8108 supports the installation of Windows 7, XP, and Vista from a USB CD-ROM. As an alternative to a USB CD-ROM drive, you can use an external SCSI CD-ROM with a PXI-SCSI adapter.
Caution To avoid data loss and other potential issues, stop communication with your ExpressCard device before removing it from the PXI-8108. In Windows, use the Safely Remove Hardware tool to safely stop the ExpressCard. NI PXI-8108 User Manual 2-26 ni.com...
I/O Information Front Panel Connectors Table 3-1 lists various I/O interfaces and their corresponding NI PXI-8108 external connectors, bus interfaces, and functions. Table 3-1. NI PXI-8108 I/O Overview I/O Interface External Connector Description Video DVI-I Intel Extreme Graphics (24-pin DSUB)
NI PXI-8108. Dimensions are in inches [millimeters]. 4.393 [111.58] 3.748 [95.2] 3.551 [90.2] 3.494 [88.76] 3.022 [76.76] 2.063 [52.4] 1.804 [45.82] 1.516 [38.51] 1.069 [27.15] NI PXI-8108 Embedded Controller .000 [0] Figure 3-1. NI PXI-8108 Front Panel Layout and Dimensions NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
Chapter 3 I/O Information DVI-I Figure 3-2 shows the location and pinouts for the DVI-I connector on the NI PXI-8108. Table 3-2 lists and describes the DVI-I connector signals. 1 9 17 NI PXI-8108 Embedded Controller Figure 3-2. DVI-I Connector Location and Pinout Table 3-2.
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Ground (for +5 V) Hot Plug Detect TMDS Data0– TMDSData0+ TMDS Data0/5 Shield Reserved Reserved TMDS Clock Shield TMDS Clock+ TMDS Clock– Analog Red Analog Green Analog Blue Analog Horizontal Sync Analog GND Return: (analog R, G, B) NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
Chapter 3 I/O Information COM1 Figure 3-3 shows the location and pinouts for the COM1 connector on the NI PXI-8108. Table 3-3 lists and describes the COM1 connector signal. COM1 NI PXI-8108 Embedded Controller Figure 3-3. COM1 Connector Location and Pinout Table 3-3.
Chapter 3 I/O Information Ethernet Figure 3-4 shows the location and pinouts for the Ethernet connector on the NI PXI-8108. Table 3-4 lists and describes the Ethernet connector signals. Ethernet NI PXI-8108 Embedded Controller Figure 3-4. Ethernet Connector Location and Pinout Table 3-4.
1000 Mbit/sec data rate is selected. Parallel Port Figure 3-5 shows the location and pinouts for the IEEE 1284 (parallel) connector on the NI PXI-8108. Table 3-6 lists and describes the IEEE 1284 connector signals. Parallel port adapter cables are available from National Instruments, part number 777169-01.
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Data Bit 2 Data Bit 3 Data Bit 4 Data Bit 5 Data Bit 6 Data Bit 7 INIT# Initialize Printer STROBE# Strobe SLCTIN# Select Input AUTOFD# Auto Line Feed +5 V 19–35 Ground Not Connected NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
Chapter 3 I/O Information Universal Serial Bus Figure 3-6 shows the location and pinouts for the Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors on the NI PXI-8108. Table 3-7 lists and describes the USB connector signals. NI PXI-8108 Embedded Controller Figure 3-6. USB Connector Location and Pinout Table 3-7.
The TRIG connector is the software-controlled trigger connection for routing PXI triggers to or from the backplane trigger bus. Figure 3-8 shows the TRIG connector location on the NI PXI-8108. Table 3-8 lists and describes the trigger connector signals. NI PXI-8108 Embedded Controller Figure 3-8.
2 (Shield) Ground GPIB (IEEE 488.2) Figure 3-9 shows the location and pinouts for the GPIB connector on the NI PXI-8108. Table 3-9 lists and describes the GPIB connector signals. National Instruments provides a GPIB mating connector, part number 183285-0R2. GPIB...
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Not Data Accepted IFC# Interface Clear SRQ# Service Request ATN# Attention SHIELD Chassis ground DIO5# Data Bit 5 DIO6# Data Bit 6 DIO7# Data Bit 7 DIO8# Data Bit 8 REN# Remote Enable 18–25 Logic Ground NI PXI-8108 User Manual 3-12 ni.com...
Chapter 3 I/O Information ExpressCard/34 Slot The NI PXI-8108 controller is equipped with an ExpressCard/34 slot on the front panel, which provides I/O expansion and options for removable storage, Ethernet, and a variety of other I/O. Figure 3-10 shows the location and pinouts for the ExpressCard/34 slot on the NI PXI-8108.
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CPPE# PE Presence REFCLK– Reference Clock – REFCLK+ Reference Clock + Ground PERn PE Data Receive – PERp PE Data Receive + Ground PETn PE Data Transmit – PETp PE Data Transmit + Ground NI PXI-8108 User Manual 3-14 ni.com...
Chapter 3 I/O Information Front Panel Features The NI PXI-8108 controller has the following front-panel features: • A controller reset pushbutton (press the button to generate a reset to the controller) • Two front panel LEDs that show PC status –...
How do I check the configuration of the memory, hard drive, time/date, and so on? You can view these parameters in the BIOS setup. To enter the BIOS setup, reboot the NI PXI-8108 and press <Delete> during the memory tests. Refer to the Accessing BIOS Setup Utility...
There are some limitations when booting from a USB device. Windows XP can be installed from a USB CD-ROM, but earlier versions of Windows cannot. The NI PXI-8108 BIOS configures the USB devices so that they will work in a DOS environment.
How do I connect a standard 25-pin LPT cable to the NI PXI-8108? The NI PXI-8108 uses a type C LPT connector. Most parallel port devices use a type A connector. To use a device with a standard type A LPT connector, you need to use a type C-to-type-A LPT adapter.
Chapter 4 Common Configuration Questions How do I install software from a CD? The compact size of the NI PXI-8108 does not allow for an integrated CD-ROM drive. You have the following options: • USB CD-ROM—You can install from a USB CD-ROM using a bootable installation CD.
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. For peripheral drivers, refer to KnowledgeBase 3H3COSD8 downloads ni.com My NI PXI-8108 does not have an internal floppy drive. Is there a way to use an external drive? Yes. The NI PXI-8108 controller supports and can boot from USB floppy drives.
Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration. Why doesn’t the NI PXI-8108 work with the PXI-8220 or PXI-8221? A serialized IRQ conflict with the PXI-8220/8221 and the NI PXI-8108 prevents PC cards using ISA interrupts from working with the NI PXI-8108 controller. For more information, refer to KnowledgeBase 2G3ED80Z at ni.com/support...
This chapter answers common troubleshooting questions you may have when using the NI PXI-8108 embedded computer. What if the NI PXI-8108 does not boot? Several problems can cause a controller not to boot. Here are some things to look for and possible solutions.
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Enter the BIOS setup program as described in the Accessing BIOS Setup Utility section of Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration. Check the battery utility. Press <F9> to load BIOS defaults. Answer Y (Yes) to the verification prompt. Select Save and Exit Setup. NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
Specifications This appendix lists the electrical, mechanical, and environmental specifications of the NI PXI-8108 embedded computer. Features NI PXI-8108 ® ™ Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9400 (2.53 GHz dual core processor), 800 MHz FSB On-die L2 cache 6 MB...
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Slot requirements ........One system slot plus three controller expansion slots Compatibility ..........Fully compatible with PXI specification Weight ............0.914 kg (2.02 lb) typical Environment Maximum altitude........2,000 m (at 25 °C ambient temperature) Pollution Degree ........2 Indoor use only. NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
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EN 61326 (IEC 61326): Class A emissions; Basic immunity • EN 55011 (CISPR 11): Group 1, Class A emissions • AS/NZS CISPR 11: Group 1, Class A emissions • FCC 47 CFR Part 15B: Class A emissions • ICES-001: Class A emissions NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
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Certification column. Environmental Management National Instruments is committed to designing and manufacturing products in an environmentally responsible manner. NI recognizes that eliminating certain hazardous substances from our products is beneficial not only to the environment but also to NI customers.
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Instruments service representative. For more information about compliance with the EU Battery Directive 2006/66/EC about Batteries and Accumulators and Waste Batteries and Accumulators, visit ni.com/environment/batterydirective National Instruments (RoHS) National Instruments RoHS ni.com/environment/rohs_china (For information about China RoHS compliance, go to ni.com/environment/rohs_china NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
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Technical Support and Professional Services Visit the following sections of the award-winning National Instruments Web site at for technical support and professional services: ni.com • Support—Technical support at includes the ni.com/support following resources: – Self-Help Technical Resources—For answers and solutions,...
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You also can visit the Worldwide Offices section of to access the branch ni.com/niglobal office Web sites, which provide up-to-date contact information, support phone numbers, email addresses, and current events. NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
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Direct Current. DDR2 Double Data Rate, 2 generation. DIMM Dual In-line Memory Module. Direct Memory Access—A method by which data is transferred between devices and internal memory without intervention of the central processing unit. NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
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Light-emitting diode. Meters. master A functional part of a PXI device that initiates data transfers on the PXI backplane. A transfer can be either a read or a write. NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
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Mean time to repair. NI-488 or NI-488.2 The National Instruments software for GPIB systems. NI-DAQ The National Instruments software for data acquisition instruments. NI-VISA The National Instruments implementation of the VISA standard—An interface-independent software that provides a unified programming interface for VXI, GPIB, and serial instruments.
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Static RAM—A memory chip that requires power to hold its content. It does not require refresh circuitry as a dynamic RAM chip, but it does take up more space and uses more power. Universal Serial Bus. NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
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2-9 connector data storage, 3-15 location and pinout (figure), 3-13 DDR2 SO-DIMMs signals (table), 3-13 from National Instruments (note), 2-23, installing a module, 2-25 removing a module, 2-26 installing, 2-23, 4-4 slot, 1-4 figure, 2-24, 4-5 Declaration of Conformity (NI resources), B-2...
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See also configuration connectors, 3-1 injector/ejector handle position (caution), 2-2 dimensions, 3-2 NI PXI-8108 installed in a PXI chassis features, 3-15 (figure), 2-4 functional description of NI PXI-8108, 1-2 procedure, 2-1 functional overview of NI PXI-8108, 1-2 removing NI PXI-8108 from PXI...
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GPIB (IEEE 488.2) connector and installation overview, 2-25 signals, 3-11 os directory, 2-21 parallel port connector and signals, 3-7 trigger connector and signals, 3-10 Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and signals, 3-9 data storage, 3-15 description, 1-2 NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
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National Instruments software, 1-4 connectors, function (logic block), 1-4 NI resources, B-1 features, 2-21 NI-DAQmx, 1-5 trigger connectivity, 2-21 NI-VISA, 1-6 PXI-8220/PXI-8221, using NI PXI-8108 specifications with, 4-6 CE compliance, A-5 pxisys.ini file, 2-22 electrical, A-2 electromagnetic compatibility, A-4 environmental management, A-5...
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4-3 using with PS/2 mouse and keyboard, 2-3 Universal Serial Bus (USB), 3-1, 3-9 connector function, 1-4 location and pinout (figure), 3-9 signals (table), 3-9 overview (table), 3-1 USB configuration menu, 2-9 NI PXI-8108 User Manual ni.com...
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