National Instruments  MXI-4 Copper Chassis Remote Control Cable

National Instruments' MXI-4 (Part Number: 190957-05) Copper Cable provides smooth communication between a controlling computer and PXI chassis, enabling remote operation of PXI systems. This cable creates a high-speed link between CompactPCI and multichassis PXI systems, allowing them to be assembled together. The MXI-4, being a PCI-to-PCI bridge, guarantees hardware and software transparency, enabling PXI modules to operate as though they were PCI boards inside the host computer.

Supporting both 3.3 V and 5 V PCI signaling environments, the MXI-4 system—an extension of the MXI-3 system—operates with greater dependability. It is appropriate for usage in electrically loud or industrial situations because it improves data integrity through error checking and resend. With its sturdy, screw-in connectors that ensure strong, dependable connections, this specific copper version has a maximum length of 10 meters.

For demanding industrial applications, the MXI-4 cable offers exceptional performance, operating at a peak transfer rate of 132 MB/s and a sustained rate of 78 MB/s. Without the need for extra programming, it provides a transparent communication channel that allows direct management of PXI modules from PCI slots in desktop or server PCs. In order to ensure that customers can fully benefit from PXI's enhanced slot availability, cooling capacity, and synchronization features, transparency is essential to enable high-performance computing platforms to take advantage of the large variety of PXI modules available.

MXI-4 has more resilience than its predecessor and is compatible with both copper and fiber-optic wiring. While fiber-optic solutions offer electrical isolation and increased connection lengths of up to 200 meters, copper is still a more affordable option for shorter distances.