Product category:
PC-Compatible Boards and Assemblies
News Release from: MEN Mikro Elektronik | Subject: PXI systems
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 21 May 2002
PXI Systems feature flexible I/O
configuration
MEN Mikro Elektronik is launching a complete new range of PXI systems incorporating highly reliable system controllers, I/O boards and mezzanines.
MEN Mikro Elektronik is launching a complete new range of PXI systems incorporating highly reliable system controllers, I/O boards and mezzanines Both 4 and 7U systems, which include boards, software and enclosure, are immediately available in a flexible and modular format which makes for an attractive price/performance system even for small quantities
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 13 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Modules embed industrial I/O
Two new M-Modules are suitable for a wide range of applications requiring digital I/O or analogue switching.
cPCI board can act as PXI controller
The D4 is a double-Eurocard CompactPCI SBC designed with performance and onboard functionality for applications in the upper end of industrial control, instrumentation and communications.
The majority of MEN CPU boards support operation in PXI systems, but for maximum performance on these new PXI system controllers, MEN has chosen to use Pentium III processors, with P4 availability by Q4.
Both CPU boards are equipped with a Pentium III / 850MHz and also have 256Mbyte DRAM, a CompactFlash slot, graphics, watchdog, real-time clock, Fast Ethernet and additional serial interfaces.
As system controllers they already have a 40Gbyte hard disk on the board but still need only one PXI slot in the double Eurocard version and two slots in the single Eurocard version.
Further reading
Mezzanine modules aid embedded systems builders
The ESM is an all-new concept in mezzanine cards.
Board puts full PC functionality into VME systems
The A13 is a complete PC in double-Eurocard format for VMEbus applications that need graphics, and therefore Windows or Linux.
Module puts Profibus in the frame
The M79 M-Module is an intelligent Profibus DP slave interface for CompactPCI, PXI or VME systems as well as for embedded single-board computers.
I/O requirements are met using modular and flexible mezzanine modules incorporating two ANSI mezzanine standards: M-Modules and PC-MIPs.
These are integrated into PXI systems using both 6 and 3U PXI carrier boards.
M-Module functions are typically used for instrumentation tasks such as digital multimeters and oscilloscopes, function generators, measuring data acquisition cards, switches, counter modules, analogue and digital I/O, IEEE488 and also connect to different fieldbus.
PC-MIPs add functionality to the PXI system controller by many of today's common serial interfaces (Ethernet, FireWire etc) and also by fieldbus connections (CAN, Profibus etc).
Key to the ease of use of the MEN PXI systems is the availability of a stable and robust universal driver interface allowing the whole range of I/O functions to run with various software environments including LabWindows/CVI for Measurement Studio.
In addition, IVI drivers are available for the device classes defined by National Instruments (multimeters, function generators and switches).
Because I/O is often required not just on the system controller but throughout the entire system, enclosure solutions available are just as diverse as the applications behind them.
The two basic systems from MEN are designed so that they can easily be adapted to different requirements.
The system for double Eurocards is optimised for maximum volume for very complex applications.
The 7U 19in rack comes with a 14-slot PXI backplane (maximum 21 slots), 650W open-frame power supply unit and temperature-controlled fans.
It offers space for CD-ROM and floppy-disk drives or special additional instruments of the user.
For single Eurocards, the emphasis is on compact packaging, which can also be used in mobile applications or under more severe environmental conditions.
The 4U rack is only 42HP wide and 315mm deep.
It has a seven-slot PXI backplane, temperature-controlled fans and a 250W power supply unit that can be connected at the front.
The base systems in both formats include a Pentium III system controller and Windows.
Pricing for a complete PXI system starts from Eur 6200 plus VAT for single units.
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