National Instruments 780531-04 Dual-Core Controller

The National Instruments 780531-04 is an embedded controller designed specifically for VXI systems. It is also known as the VXIPC-882. It features an Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 processor running at 2.16 GHz. This dual-core processor allows the controller to handle multitasking environments efficiently which is crucial for simultaneous execution of multiple computing tasks. The controller provides improved data transfer speeds between the CPU and memory components, with a front side bus frequency of 667 MHz. The controller supports up to 4 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, which is suitable for memory intensive applications and ensures smooth performance for computational tasks.

This VXI controller includes various peripheral interfaces including four high-speed USB ports, GPIB and two Gigabit Ethernet ports (10/100/1000BASE-TX). These interfaces enable easy connection to external devices such as printers, storage devices, and network equipment. The RS232 serial port and parallel port provide backward compatibility with older equipment. This makes it versatile in environments where legacy hardware is still in use. The integrated GPIB (IEEE 488) controller offers control over external instrumentation reducing the need for additional external controllers.

Additionally, the 780531-04 device has an ExpressCard/34 slot that allows it to be expanded for additional I/O like an extra Ethernet port, wireless LAN, or external storage. High-speed data transfers of up to 2.5 Gbit/s are made possible by this. The controller integrates the Intel GMA 950 graphics accelerator, capable of handling high-quality 3D graphics without an additional graphics card.

A significant advantage of this 780531-04 controller is its access to PXI_CLK10 through front panel connectors which allows it to synchronize with other systems requiring precise timing coordination. Direct control over memory, interrupts, triggers, and VXI registers is provided by the controller. This improves compatibility with testing and measuring apps that rely on VXI.

The NI 780531-04 controller is equipped with an 80 GB SATA hard drive with the capability to add additional drives via external ports. With its VXI CLK10 synchronization this controller can also accommodate sophisticated timing capabilities for systems that need exact timing. The device can function in challenging conditions, with ambient temperatures ranging from 5 to 50 degrees Celsius.