MXI-Express Gen 2 x8 Overview
- Updated2024-06-14
- 4 minute(s) read
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.
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.
PXI Express Board | PXI Express Chassis | ||
---|---|---|---|
Controller | Peripheral | Hybrid | |
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.
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.