PXIe-6571 User Manual Welcome to the PXIe-6571 User Manual The PXIe-6571 User Manual provides detailed descriptions of product functionality and step-by-step processes for use. Looking for something else? For information not found in the User Manual for your product, like specifications or API reference, browse Related Information.
■ Resources for 8 source and 8 capture sites ■ Driver Support NI recommends that you use the newest version of the driver for your module. Table 1. Earliest Driver Version Support Driver Name Earliest Version Support NI-Digital Pattern Driver 18.0...
PXIe-6571 User Manual Components of a PXIe-6571 System The PXIe-6571 is designed for use in a system that includes other hardware components, drivers, and software. Notice A system and the surrounding environment must meet the requirements defined in PXIe-6571 Specifications.
Page 7
Cables and Accessories for recommended cables and accessories and guidance. NI-Digital Pattern Driver Instrument driver software that provides functions to interact with the PXIe-6571 and execute measurements using the PXIe-6571. Note NI recommends that you always use the most current version of NI-Digital Pattern Driver with the PXIe-6571.
Page 8
■ C/C++ ■ .NET ■ Python ■ PXIe-6571 Cables and Accessories NI recommends using the following cables and accessories with your module. Accessory Description Notes NI Part Number NI CB-2162 Connector Block — 778592-01 and Prototyping Board NI SCB-68 HSDIO Shielded —...
Page 9
STS, contact your NI Sales Engineer. Additional Cabling and Accessory Guidance NI recommends the following: You can install PXI slot blockers (NI part number 199198-01) to fill empty ■ instrument slots in a PXI chassis. For more information about installing slot blockers and filler panels, refer to PXI slot blocker documentation.
Page 10
Pattern Driver. You can access the Digital Pattern Editor by selecting National Instruments » NI Digital Pattern Editor from the Windows start menu. • NI-Digital Pattern Driver—Use the NI-Digital Pattern Driver APIs to call pin and channel map, specifications, levels, timing, pattern, and waveform files you create in the Digital Pattern Editor and to configure and control digital pattern devices.
Page 11
Digital pattern instruments are designed to operate in a PXI Express chassis with a well-designed cooling system at specified environmental conditions. Note The PXIe-6571 is only compatible with an 82 W power and cooling capable chassis. Instrument performance and reliability might be limited at temperatures outside...
Page 12
PXIe-6571 User Manual For more information about cooling considerations, refer to your chassis documentation. Digital Pattern Instrument Placement in Chassis Digital pattern instruments are high-precision modules and might be sensitive to interference from other electronic devices. To optimize the accuracy and...
DUTs simultaneously without manually duplicating pin values using multiple sites, one site per DUT. If the DUT pins exceed the maximum pin number of one instrument, the PXIe-6571 connects to a PXIe-6674T via the backplane trigger bus to combine the pass or fail results across multiple instruments.
Page 14
PXIe-6571 User Manual Figure 1. PXIe-6571 High-Level Block Diagram PXIe_CLK100 Clocking PXIe Trigger PXI Triggers MasterCLK Gen 2 x 4 PXIe Drive Compare Pattern Large High Control Vector VHDCI Electronics Logic Memory Compare Figure 2. PXIe-6571 Pattern Control Logic Block Diagram ni.com...
PXIe-6571 User Manual PXIe-6571 Pinout The following figure shows the terminals on the PXIe-6571 connector. ni.com...
Page 17
PXIe-6571 User Manual Figure 4. PXIe-6571 Connector Pinout GND 68 Cal Force 67 Cal Sense GND 66 DIO 0 65 DIO 1 Cal Gnd, DGS 64 Reserved DIO 2 63 DIO 3 Bank 1 GND 62 Bank 1 DIO 4...
Page 18
PXIe-6571 User Manual Table 3. PXIe-6571 Digital Data and Control Connector Pins/ Signal Descriptions Signal Type Signal Name Signal Description Data DIO <0..31> Bidirectional PPMU-capable digital I/O data channels 0 through 31. Ground Instrument ground. Acts as the default ground reference when DUT Ground Sense (DGS) is not connected.
If the Access LED fails to light after you power on the chassis, a problem may exist with the chassis power rails, a hardware module, or the LED. Notice Apply external signals only while the PXIe-6571 is powered on. Applying external signals while the module is powered off may cause damage.
Page 20
PXIe-6571 User Manual Notice Do not reinstall a damaged module. 4. Install the module in a different, supported slot within the same PXI chassis. 5. Power on the chassis. Note If you are using a PC with a device for PXI remote control system, power on the chassis before powering on the computer.
Page 21
PXIe-6571 User Manual Why Is the Active LED Red? The red Active LED indicates that the device is in error state. The device will not operate until the error is cleared and/or the device is reset. Possible Error Solution The instrument has detected an unlocked...
PXIe-6571 User Manual PXIe-6571 Installation and Configuration Complete the following steps to install the PXIe-6571 into a chassis and prepare it for use. Unpacking the Kit Installing the Software Installing the PXIe-6571 into a Chassis Verifying the Installation in MAX...
PXIe-6571 User Manual Kit Contents Refer to the following figure to identify the contents of the PXIe-6571 kit. Figure 5. PXIe-6571 Kit Contents 1. PXIe-6571 Module 2. Documentation Installing the Software You must be an Administrator to install NI software on your computer.
4. Remove the black plastic covers from all the captive screws on the module front panel. 5. Identify a supported slot in the chassis. The PXIe-6571 module must be installed into two adjacent PXI Express-compatible slots and can be placed in PXI Express hybrid peripheral slots (...
PXIe-6571 User Manual Figure 6. Module Installation 8. Place the module edges into the module guides at the top and bottom of the chassis. Slide the module into the slot until it is fully inserted. 9. Latch the module in place by pulling up on the ejector handle.
Page 26
Verifying the Installation in MAX Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to configure your NI hardware. MAX informs other programs about which NI hardware products are in the system and how they are configured. MAX is automatically installed with NI-Digital Pattern Driver.
PXIe-6571 modules are externally calibrated at the factory, however you should perform a complete self-calibration after you install the module. 1. Install the PXIe-6571 and let it warm up for the recommended warm-up time listed in the PXIe-6571 Specifications. Note Warm up begins when the PXI chassis has been powered on and the operating system has completely loaded.
Refer to the following topics for guidance about PXIe-6571 signal connections. Connecting to a Device Under Test To connect a device under test (DUT) to the PXIe-6571, you can create a custom device interface board to access the signals of the DUT. For more information, refer to the Interfacing to the Digital Pattern Instrument or Digital Waveform Instrument using the VHDCI Connector application note.
Develop and interface to prototype circuits ■ Probe DIO and control channels ■ Complete the following steps to install the NI CB-2162 on a module and prepare signal connections. Caution Before connecting the cable, disconnect power from the module, accessory, and any other connected hardware to prevent damage to the hardware and personal injury.
Page 30
PXIe-6571 and secure the cable with the captive screws on the cable connector. 2. Attach the other end of the cable to the DDC connector of the NI CB-2162 and secure the cable with the captive screws on the cable connector.
Page 31
PXIe-6571 User Manual Figure 8. NI CB-2162 DDC Connector Pinout DIO 31 DIO 30 DIO 29 DIO 28 DIO 27 DIO 26 DIO 25 DIO 24 Reserved DIO 23 DIO 22 DIO 21 DIO 20 DIO 19 DIO 18 DIO 17...
Installing the NI SMB-2163 on the PXIe-6571 The NI SMB-2163 (NI part number 778747-01) is an SMB breakout box for high-speed digital devices. This breakout box connects to other devices for testing and debugging by routing every DIO and control channel on a separate SMB coaxial connector.
Page 33
3. NI SHC68-C68-D4 1. Attach either end of the NI SHC68-C68-D4 shielded cable to the VHDCI DDC connector of on the front panel of the PXIe-6571 and secure the cable with the captive screws on the cable connector. 2. Attach the other end of the cable to the DDC connector of the NI SMB-2163 and secure the cable with the captive screws on the cable connector.
Page 34
PXIe-6571 User Manual Figure 10. NI SMB-2163 DDC Connector Pinout DIO 31 DIO 30 DIO 29 DIO 28 DIO 27 DIO 26 DIO 25 DIO 24 Reserved DIO 23 DIO 22 DIO 21 DIO 20 DIO 19 DIO 18 DIO 17...
NI SMB-2163 to earth/hard ground. This terminal is connected to the shielded enclosure ground. Installing the NI SCB-68 HSDIO on the PXIe-6571 The NI SCB-68 HSDIO is a shielded I/O connector block with 72 screw terminals for connecting signals to a 68-pin very-high-density cable interconnect (VHDCI) connector.
Page 36
2. NI SHC68-C68-D4 Shielded Cable 3. NI SCB-68 HSDIO 1. Set up the NI SCB-68 HSDIO. Refer to the NI SCB-68 HSDIO Connection Guide and Specifications for detailed procedure. 2. Attach either end of the NI SHC68-C68-D4 shielded cable to the VHDCI DDC connector on the front panel of the PXIe-6571 and secure the cable with the captive screws on the cable connector.
PXIe-6571 User Manual 3. Attach the other end of the cable to the DDC connector of the NI SCB-68 HSDIO and secure the cable with the captive screws on the cable connector. 4. Make signal connections between your device channels and the NI SCB-68 HSDIO channels.
Page 38
7. Ground 1. Attach the DDC connector of the NI SHC68-H1X38 cable to the VHDCI DDC connector on the front panel of the PXIe-6571 and secure the cable with the captive screws on the cable connector. 2. Connect both the signal and ground receptacles and twist the pair of leads.
PXIe-6571 User Manual Channel Signal Description Bundle used. Otherwise, this channel serves as PFI 0. Each channel is split into a pair of leads. The lead attached with the black wire is the GND signal, which serves as the ground reference for that particular channel.
Page 40
PXIe-6571 User Manual Supported Triggers and Events Start Trigger The Start Trigger starts execution of a pattern burst. Using a Start Trigger, synchronized digital pattern instruments configured to execute the same pattern can execute each cycle at the same time.
PXI Express chassis slot. You can use the PXI Express trigger bus to send and receive events and triggers. You can characterize signal routing operations by source and destination. The following table summarizes the possible sources and destinations for PXIe-6571 signals. Table 6. Trigger Routing for PXIe-6571 Source...
Page 42
No additional configuration is required to use dynamic signal routes. 1. Launch MAX by navigating to Start » All Programs » NI MAX or by double- clicking the NI MAX desktop icon. 2. Expand Devices and Interfaces and then expand the Chassis tree.
You can operate instruments independently with triggers and events passed ■ between them to coordinate operations. You can use the NI-TClk API to phase align the internal clocks of all the ■ instruments and route triggers deterministically so that all the instruments respond to and receive triggers at the same time.
Page 44
PXIe_CLK100. System Timing Alignment The NI-TClk API included with an installation of the NI-Digital Pattern Driver aligns the timing reference on synchronized instruments. For instruments used inside a Semiconductor Test System (STS), the timing calibration procedure aligns the timing across all digital instrument channels.
Page 45
Deterministic trigger routing ensures that all instruments in the system start at the same time. Refer to multi-device NI-TClk examples for more information about how to use the NI-TClk API and refer to the NI-TClk Synchronization Help for more information on using NI-TClk to synchronize instruments.
Page 46
PXIe-6571 User Manual is satisfied by all sites enabled for bursting across multiple synchronized digital pattern instruments that include pins in the specified match condition. Table 7. Common Use Cases and Behavior Use Case Behavior If you require per-site matched and failed Single PXI Express chassis ■...
Table 8. Frequency Counters and Associated Channels Frequency Counter Channels <0..7> <8..15> <16..23> <24..31> Refer to PXIe-6571 Specifications for the supported frequency measurement ranges. ni.com...
You can send source waveforms and receive capture waveforms through any of the 32 pins on the digital pattern instrument. Refer to the PXIe-6571 Specifications for more information about the number of channels you can connect for each digital pattern instrument.
Page 51
PXIe-6571 User Manual Refer to the Digital Pattern User Manual for more information about NI-Digital Pattern Driver source and capture API, source and capture configuration in Digital Pattern Editor, and source and capture opcodes. Sourcing Waveforms Configuring Source Waveforms Use the source waveform configuration document in the Digital Pattern Editor or the NI-Digital Pattern Driver source API to configure source waveforms.
Page 52
You can load up to 512 source waveforms on the instrument at a time. ■ The total number of pins supported by source functionality is 32. ■ Refer to the PXIe-6571 Specifications for more information about source capacity. Capturing Waveforms Configuring Waveforms You can configure capture functionality for serial or parallel use.
PXIe-6571 User Manual Scan Testing Scan is a technique for testing DUTs designed with internal test circuitry to validate that the digital logic in the DUT was properly manufactured. You can create scan patterns to test DUT circuitry using scan chains. Scan patterns contain scan pins and scan vectors in addition to DUT pins and vectors.
Page 55
PXIe-6571 User Manual You can call the Fetch History RAM Scan Cycle Numbers API to get the scan cycle numbers from the scan vector. Cycles that are not part of a scan vector return a -1 for the scan cycle numbers.
Digital Pattern Driver to configure and control digital pattern instruments. NI Example Finder The NI Example Finder is a utility that organizes examples into categories and allows you to browse and search installed examples. For example, search for "Digital Pattern" to locate all NI Digital Pattern examples. You can see descriptions and compatible hardware models for each example or see all the examples compatible with one particular hardware model.
Page 57
Welcome window, click Examples or click the Learning tab to launch the Learning window, which includes examples of common usages of digital patterns. Use the NI-Digital Pattern Driver examples to learn more about how to use the NI- Digital Pattern Driver software to configure and control digital pattern instruments.
Pin electronics provide the electrical interface to the DUT and allow the engineer to drive or receive digital data and emulate the conditions of other loads and components interacting with the device. Each channel on the PXIe-6571 has a pin driver, comparator, active load, and PPMU. You need to specify levels from the perspective of the DUT, not the digital pattern instrument.
Page 59
PXIe-6571 User Manual Selecting Pin Function The digital pattern instrument provides multiple capabilities in one instrument. Use the niDigital Select Function VI, the SelectedFunction .NET enumeration, or the niDigital_SelectFunction C function to programmatically set the pin function to one of the following options.
Page 60
PXIe-6571 User Manual Selected Function Description Usage parameter of following to TRUE: niDigital Burst Pattern ■ DigitalPatternControl.B ■ urstPattern .NET method niDigital_BurstPattern ■ C function PPMU The pin is connected to the To source a voltage or current, PPMU. The driver, comparator,...
Page 61
PXIe-6571 User Manual Selected Function Description Usage Note You can make PPMU voltage measurements using the niDigital PPMU Measure VI, DigitalPpmu.Measur e .NET method, or niDigital_PPMU_Me asure C function from within any selected function. The pin is electrically — connected, and the PPMU and digital pin driver are off while this function is selected.
Programming Pin Driver Programmable Levels You can program the pin driver with the following pin levels using the NI-Digital Pattern Driver or set pin levels interactively in Digital Pattern Editor. Pin levels are programmable per pin or by pin group.
Page 63
PXIe-6571 User Manual The NI-Digital Pattern Driver does not enforce a minimum separation between V and V . Refer to PXIe-6571 Specifications for information about the minimum separation required for reliable results. The following diagram illustrates pin levels as they relate to the digital pattern instrument and the DUT.
Page 64
You can set the following termination modes interactively in the Digital Pattern Editor or programmatically with the NI-Digital Pattern Driver: • High Z—Specifies that, for non-drive pin states (L, H, X, V, M, E), the pin driver is put in a high-impedance state and the active load is disabled.
Pattern Instruments. Programming Comparator Programmable Levels You can program the comparator with the following pin levels using the NI-Digital Pattern Driver or set pin levels interactively in the Digital Pattern Editor. Pin levels are programmable per pin or by pin group.
The pin state for the current cycle dynamically controls the active load. You can program the active load with the following pin levels using the NI-Digital Pattern Driver or set pin levels interactively in the Digital Pattern Editor. These levels apply only when the termination mode is set to active load, the specified pins are in a non- drive pin state (L, H, X, V, M), and the selected pin function is Digital.
Page 67
PXIe-6571 User Manual Measure voltage, no force ■ Force Voltage You can perform the following operations while forcing voltage to the DUT with the PPMU: Force voltage, measure current ■ Force voltage, measure voltage ■ Force voltage, no measure ■...
Page 68
)—Specifies the nominal voltage at the pin at which the low side voltage clamp activates when the PPMU forces current to the DUT. Note Refer to PXIe-6571 Specifications for more information about when the voltage clamps begin to conduct. Measure Voltage You can perform the following voltage measurement operations with the PPMU: ni.com...
Page 69
Aperture Time The PXIe-6571 supports discrete aperture times that are based on the sample rate of the ADC. You can configure aperture time on the PXIe-6571 to achieve a desired accuracy and/or speed. When you use the NI-Digital Pattern Driver API or the Digital Pattern Editor Pin View pane to measure voltages and currents, the PXIe-6571 begins acquiring measurements immediately.
Page 70
The number of hardware averages is represented by this equation: Number of Averages = (Aperture Time/4 μs) Refer to PXIe-6571 Specifications for more information about the relationship between measurement noise and selected aperture times. To set the aperture time for your measurement, use the following: niDigital PPMU Configure Aperture Time VI ■...
Page 71
PXIe-6571 User Manual PPMU_0 PPMU_7 PPMU_8 PPMU_15 PPMU_16 PPMU_23 PPMU_24 PPMU_31 When taking a measurement on two or more channels within a given bank, the connected ADC must be multiplexed between the selected channels. This results in an increase in measurement execution time that is dependent on the following...
Page 72
PXIe-6571 User Manual Note Measurement execution time is only dependent on the current measurement range if the channel is configured for current measurement. The effect of measurement multiplexing on measurement execution time can be calculated using the following system of equations:...
Page 73
PXIe-6571 User Manual Refer to the following table for the settling time constants of different measurements. Table 10. PPMU Measurement Settling Time Constants Measurement Settling Time Constants Note Voltage Settling Time 40 μs — High Current Settling Time 130 μs Applies to measurements in the 32 μA, 128 μA, and 2 mA ranges.
Page 74
PXIe-6571 User Manual Figure 14. PPMU Current Measurement (2 μA), Long Aperture Time 250m 225m Channels: 0, 1, 2, 3 (Shared ADCs) 200m Channels: 0, 8, 16, 24 (Unique ADCs) 175m 150m 125m 100m PMU Measurement Aperture Time Figure 15. PPMU Current Measurement (2 μA), Short Aperture Time 1.8m...
PXIe-6571 User Manual • Cache Vector Memory (CVM)—Stores additional vectors shortly after a branch are loaded in CVM. • Large Vector Memory (LVM)—Stores vectors that do not require low latency branching. If you run out of FVM and CVM, reduce the number of vector labels and call opcodes in the pattern.
PXIe-6571 User Manual states are limited to the following combinations: 00, 01, 10, 11, LL, LH, HL, HH, XX, MM, VV, DD, EE, and --. Shared Pins System pins and DUT pins are two main types of pins. • System Pins—Use for static control of system-level circuits. These pins have limited functionality and cannot be used during pattern bursts.
When working with shared pins, call the Get Pin Results Pin Information API with pin lists instead of channel lists. NI-Digital Pattern Driver returns an error if the Get Pin Results Pin Information API is called with a channel that is shared on multiple sites.
Page 80
PXIe-6571 User Manual History RAM is onboard memory that stores cycle information during a pattern burst. Use the NI-Digital History RAM API or the History RAM feature of the Digital Pattern Editor to debug pattern execution. History RAM cycle information includes: Pattern Name ■...
You can use the NI-Digital History RAM Streaming examples, located in the <Public Documents>\National Instruments\NI-Digital\Examples directory to learn how to use the History RAM streaming feature.
Before you reset the digital pattern instrument after thermal shutdown, cool the instrument to an acceptable range and resolve the environmental condition that caused the shutdown. Reset the PXIe-6571 by calling the niDigital Reset Device VI, the DigitalDriverUtility.Reset .NET method, or the niDigital_reset C function, performing an instrument reset in MAX, or power cycling the digital pattern instrument.
Page 83
The NI-Digital Pattern Driver provides a self-calibration API for analog calibration of the PXIe-6571. Use the niDigital Self Calibrate VI, the NIDigital.SelfCalibrate .NET method, or the niDigital_SelfCalibrate C function when performing self-calibration. Refer to the API reference section in Digital Pattern User Manual for more information about self-calibration.
Page 84
PXIe-6571 User Manual Supported Self-Calibrated DC Features All DC features of the digital pattern instrument are calibrated relative to an onboard precision reference that is valid only when the instrument is within its external calibration interval. Self-calibration compensates multiple voltage and current circuits for the pin driver, comparator, active load, and PPMU to correct for temperature and environmental effects.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the PXIe-6571 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers