MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 Overview

The PXIe-8384 is part of the MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 series of products. MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 extends PCI Express communication over a cable of up to 5 m. With MXI-Express Gen 2 x8, you can do the following:

  • Control a PXI Express or CompactPCI Express backplane with a PCI Express-based PC.
  • Physically separate the measurement or automation system from a host PC.
  • Control multiple PXI Express or CompactPCI Express chassis with a single PCI Express-based PC or PXI Express embedded controller.

MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 incorporates the latest technology to include:

  • Support for PCI Express slots.
  • Support for PXI Express and CompactPCI Express chassis.
  • Improved error correction and handling for noisy or harsh environments.
  • Improved mechanical connectivity.
  • Improved performance.

MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 Products

The following table lists the products and their features for comparison.

Table 2. Feature Comparison of Available MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 Interfaces
Model Slot Type Number of Ports
PCIe-8381, PCIe-8382, PCIe-8383 PCI Express Gen 2 x8 or wider 1
PXIe-8381 PXI Express Controller 1
PXIe-8384 PXI Express Peripheral 1

You will need one PXIe-8381 for basic systems. To connect additional expansion chassis, you will need one PXIe-8381 and one PXIe-8384.

PXI Express Board and Chassis Compatibility

Refer to the following table for which PXI Express MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 boards are compatible with which chassis slot types.

Table 6. MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 PXI Express Board Slot Type Compatibility
PXI Express Board PXI Express Chassis
Controller 1378 Peripheral 1378 Hybrid 1378
PXIe-8381 Yes No No
PXIe-8384 No Yes Yes

Basic MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 Systems

The simplest MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 system consists of a PCIe-8381, PCIe-8382, or PCIe-8383 in a PC connected to a PXIe-8381 in the controller slot of a PXI Express chassis, as shown in the following figure.

Note A CompactPCI Express chassis could be used instead of a PXI Express chassis.
Figure 1. Example of a Basic MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 Link Topology

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  1. Host PC
  2. PCIe-8381/8382/8383
  3. PXIe-8381
  4. PXI Express Chassis

Larger MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 Systems

If multiple PCI Express slots are available in the host PC, additional PXI Express chassis can be connected by installing an additional PCIe-8381, PCIe-8382, or PCIe-8383 in any available Gen 2 x8 or wider PCI Express slot.

You can also daisy-chain from a PXI Express chassis that is already controlled by an embedded controller, host PC, or laptop to additional PXI Express chassis using MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 products. The figures below show how you can use MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 cards to connect multiple PXI Express expansion chassis to a PC in a star or daisy-chain topology.

The PCI specification allows up to 256 bus segments. MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 does not limit this number, but the maximum number of bus segments allowed can be BIOS or operating system dependent. Also, a computer may already have several PCI bus segments internally, and the MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 link also has multiple PCI buses internally. Every PCI Express device has at least one bus segment, though it will have more if it includes a bridge or switch.

Figure 2. Example of MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 System Expansion Star Topology

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  1. Host PC
  2. PCIe-8381/8382/8383
  3. PXIe-8381
  4. PXI Express Expansion Chassis
Figure 3. Example of MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 System Expansion Daisy-Chain Topology

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  1. Host PC
  2. PCIe-8381/8382/8383
  3. PXIe-8381
  4. PXIe-8384
  5. PXI Express Expansion Chassis