PXI systems in single and double Eurocard

A complete range of PXI systems from MEN Mikro Elektronik includessystem controller, I/O boards and mezzanines. Both 4U and 7U systems, which include boards, software and enclosure, are available in a modular format.

The majority of MEN CPU boards support operation in PXI systems, but to maximise performance on these PXI system controllers, MEN has chosen to use Pentium III processors with P4 versions due later this year.

Both CPU boards are equipped with a Pentium III / 850MHz and also have 256Mbyte DRAM, a CompactFlash slot, graphics, watchdog, real-time clock, FastEthernet and additional serial interfaces. As system controllers they already have a 40Gbyte hard disk on the board but only require one PXI slot in the double Eurocard version and two slots in the single Eurocard version.

I/O is provided via modular and flexible mezzanine modules which use two ANSI mezzanine standards: M-Modules and PC•MIPs. These are integrated into PXI systems using both 6U and 3U PXI carrier boards.

M-Modules functions are typically used for instrumentation tasks such as digital multimeters and oscilloscopes, function generators, measuring data acquisition cards, switches, counter modules, analog 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.).

A stable and robust universal driver interface allows the 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).

The two basic systems from MEN are designed so that they can be adapted to different requirements. The system for double Eurocards is optimized for maximum volume for complex applications. The 7U 19in rack comes with a 14-slot PXI backplane (max. 21 slots), 650W open-frame power supply unit and temperature-controlled fans. It has 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 42HP wide and 315mm deep. It has a 7-slot PXI backplane, temperature-controlled fans and a 250-W power supply unit that can be connected at the front.

The base systems in both formats include a Pentium III system controller and Windows.

Published in Emebdded Systems (Europe) June 2002