NI PXI Express Quad-Core Controller Utilizes Intel Core i7 Processor

National Instruments' PXIe-8133 embedded controller, which features the quad-core Intel Core i7-820QM processor, is said to be the first PXI Express quad-core controller in the industry. By combining the latest technology from Intel and advancements in the PCI Express bus, the new controller helps engineers greatly reduce test time with double the processing performance and data throughput compared to previous NI controllers.

The Intel Core i7-820QM processor offers a 1.73GHz base clock frequency and uses Intel Turbo Boost Technology to automatically increase the clock frequency based on the application type. For example, when running applications that generate only a single processing thread, the CPU places the three unused cores into an idle state and increases the active core's clock frequency from 1.73GHz to 3.06GHz. This feature removes the requirement that software applications need to be multithreaded to use the latest CPU developments. As a result, engineers and scientists can use the new NI controller to significantly reduce test times for applications that require intensive data processing such as RF protocol testing and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations.

The NI PXIe-8133 embedded controller uses the advancements of PCI Express technology to offer four x4 Gen 2 PCI Express links for interfacing to the PXI chassis backplane. Using the NI PXIe-8133 embedded controller with a PXI Express chassis, such as the NI PXIe-1082, doubles the total system data throughput from 4GB/s to 8GB/s. With this feature, engineers can simultaneously stream a larger set of I/O channels, giving them the ability to create larger and more complex data record-and-playback applications.

The NI PXIe-8133 embedded controller comes standard with 2GB of DDR3-1,333MHz RAM and the option of Windows XP or Windows 7 32-bit OS. For memory-intensive applications, engineers can upgrade to 8GB of system RAM and the Windows 7 64-bit OS. The NI PXIe-8133 controller also is available with an extended temperature option and solid-state hard drives for harsh environments.

NI PXIe-8133 embedded controller

National Instruments


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