National Instruments 777944-01 MXI-3 Interface Board

Part Number 777944-01 is the identifying part number for the National Instruments PCI-8330 MXI-3 Interface Board. The 777944-01 is a PCI master/slave system that implements a PCI-PCI connection framework, which enables the linking of two physically separate PCI buses using either copper or fiber-optic cables with data rates of up to 1.5 Gbit/s. This is typically used in the following cases: when you need to increase the available number of CompactPCI or PXI slots for your application, when you need to physically separate measurement and automation from the host computer, or when you want to combine PCI, CompactPCI, and PXI devices in the same system. 

The 777944-01 allows for the management of PCI devices across up to 255 buses from any PCI-based system, provided the BIOS supports such a configuration. Users have the option to configure the system using either a daisy chain or star topology, with a maximum distance of 10 meters between buses for copper connections and 200 meters for fiber-optic connections. 

The 777944-01 manages and retimes signals between buses, maintaining precise timing and high PCI performance standards. The module includes a setup utility compatible with Microsoft Windows operating systems, functioning similarly across Windows 2000/NT4/9x.  For configurations using fiber-optic MXI-3, the module receives data and employs high-speed photodetectors to convert optical signals back into digital data. This digital serial data is then transformed into the original 20-bit wide data format for the MXI-3 ASIC by a serial-to-parallel converter. The device supports up to 254 links, with a peak data transfer rate of 132 Mbytes/s and a sustained rate of 84 Mbytes/s.

The 777944-01 measures 4.2 x 6.9 inches in physical dimensions and weighs 0.33 lbs. It draws 1.5 A of current when connected to a +5 VDC supply and has a MTBF (mean time between failure) of 1130000 hours. The recommended operating temperature range for the module is 0 to 50 °C at a relative humidity of 10% to 90%. On the other hand, it can be stored between temperatures of -20 to 70 °C at relative humidities between 5% to 95%.