Customizable PXI and PXIe systems let you tailor a modular test platform to the measurements, installation, and operating conditions your application requires. The main choices are the chassis and slot count, controller and peripheral cards, bus architecture, power and cooling, and the engineering support available to verify the design.
What makes a PXI or PXIe system customizable?
A PXI system is built around three core elements: a system controller, a chassis, and cPCI/PXI peripheral cards. The chassis houses the backplane, power sources, cooling, and controller space; peripheral cards provide the system’s test-and-measurement functions. Because these components are modular, a system can be configured around the instruments and capabilities a particular test requires.
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PXI is based on PCI and CompactPCI. PXIe uses PCI Express on PXI platforms while retaining backward compatibility with PXI, as described in the March 5, 2024 Electronic Design feature. Compatibility still needs to be checked for the specific chassis, cards, controller, and software in a proposed configuration.
Which parts can you tailor?
Chassis form factor and capacity
Chassis options can differ in physical form factor and slot count. Start with the measurement cards and controller the system must accommodate, then consider where the chassis will be installed and how much room is available. The chassis is not a stand-alone answer to compatibility: its backplane and topology, power, cooling, controller, peripheral cards, and software environment all matter.
#1 Best Overall
- 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor for high-performance PXI and CompactPCI system control.
- Equipped with 10/100/1000BASE-TX Gigabit Ethernet for fast and reliable network communication.
- Integrated with two Hi-Speed USB ports for quick data transfer and peripheral connectivity.
- Modular design suited for instrumentation and data acquisition (DAQ) applications in various industries.
- Built-in hard drive, serial port, and versatile I/O for expanded control and system flexibility.
Mechanical and thermal components
Customization may include fans and fan trays, as well as other external chassis details. Cooling is part of the system design, not merely a finishing choice: assess the expected thermal conditions and airflow for the intended installation alongside the selected components.
Architecture modules and system electronics
Depending on the application, architecture modules may include PCIe switches, PCIe-to-PCI bridges, clock modules, or chassis-management modules. These choices affect how the system is arranged and how its components connect. Identify whether a specialized module is actually required by the planned topology rather than adding one by default.
Rank #2
- Connect up to 8 PXI or PXIe chassis to a single host PC or controller using high-speed MXI-Express daisy-chaining architecture
- Enables large-scale PXI systems with synchronized communication across multiple chassis for expanded I/O and computing power
- Compatible with PXI controllers and PCs connected via remote control modules, supporting flexible system configurations
- Expand PXI systems with RAID arrays, SDR devices, and reconfigurable radio hardware for advanced test and RF applications
- Ideal for test, simulation, and high-channel-count systems needing scalable, high-throughput, low-latency PXI expansion
Power supplies and peripheral cards
Peripheral cards determine the test-and-measurement functions available, while power-supply choices must suit the system’s component and operating requirements. Define the required functions and expected configuration first; then check that the chassis, supply, controller, and cards are compatible as a complete system.
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How to plan a custom PXI/PXIe configuration
- Define the test. List the measurements, required functions, and peripheral cards the application needs.
- Set installation constraints. Choose a suitable chassis form factor and slot capacity for the cards, controller, and intended location.
- Specify the bus and topology. Identify the PXI/PXIe generation and determine whether switches, bridges, clock modules, or chassis-management modules are needed.
- Check power and cooling. Confirm supply needs and the cooling approach against the planned component set and expected thermal conditions.
- Verify the whole configuration. Ask the supplier to confirm component compatibility and relevant design considerations, including airflow, signal integrity, and voltage drop.
- Review support and validation needs. Establish which engineering services are available for the project and what work, testing, or prototypes are within scope.
What to ask a supplier before committing
The Electronic Design feature recommends matching architecture and components to the intended application and having access to engineering support. It lists circuit design and analysis, EMC testing, thermal analysis, prototyping, airflow measurements, and analysis of voltage drop, signal integrity, and loss effects as possible services. Their current availability and project scope should be confirmed directly with the supplier.
Rank #3
- Enables daisy-chaining of up to eight PXI chassis to a single PC or PXI controller for expanded system capacity and flexibility
- Supports seamless integration with RAID arrays, SDRs, and reconfigurable radio devices for extended system functionality
- Compatible with PXI remote control devices for flexible setups using desktops or laptops as the system controller
- Delivers high-speed PXI Express communication across all connected chassis to ensure synchronized, low-latency performance
- Ideal for scalable test, measurement, and embedded systems that require high channel counts or distributed processing setups
- Can the supplier help map the required test functions to compatible cards, controller, chassis, and backplane?
- Can it advise on chassis form factor, slot capacity, power, and cooling for the planned installation?
- Which architecture modules, if any, does the proposed topology require?
- Are the relevant engineering services available for this project, and what verification or deliverables do they include?
- Which hardware specifications, compatibility details, and service commitments should be confirmed for the current models and project?
The feature is associated with nVent SCHROFF and discusses mechanical components and customization. That association is not a substitute for comparing a particular supplier’s current products, specifications, compatibility guidance, or service scope.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to interpret the bandwidth figure
The 2024 Electronic Design feature says, “Bandwidth jumps from 1 GB/s up to 24 GB/s in the third generation to support today’s most demanding test applications.” It presents this as a general feature claim, not as an independently sourced benchmark: the article does not identify a test setup or named organization behind the figure. Treat it as context from that article, not as a universal throughput guarantee for a particular PXI/PXIe system or configuration.
Rank #4
- Powered by a 1.26 GHz Intel Pentium III processor for fast and efficient PXI system control.
- Two-slot PXI-8101 controller with integrated Ethernet, USB, and peripheral I/O support.
- Equipped with an onboard hard drive for secure and quick access to stored data.
- Compact and rugged design ideal for versatile test, measurement, and automation needs.
- Optimized for seamless integration into complex PXI-based applications with stable performance.
Modularity can make it possible to add or remove instruments and adjust system capabilities, and functional modules may reduce the need for a complete redesign. These are general advantages described by the feature, not quantified outcomes guaranteed for every project. As Christian Ganninger, Global Product Manager Embedded Systems at nVent SCHROFF, wrote in the article: “Overall, system architecture customization can provide companies with a powerful tool to create PXI and PXIe systems that are tailored to the needs of their specific application.”
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Best Value
- Enables seamless control of PXI systems via laptops, ensuring efficient and portable system management.
- Transparent CardBus-to-PXI link supports existing drivers and applications for hassle-free operation.
- Compatible with DC-powered PXI chassis for mobile applications like in-vehicle data logging and testing.
- Lightweight and compact design, ideal for portable and space-constrained setups in diverse environments.
- Optimized for flexibility, supporting multiple portable applications requiring reliable PXI system access.
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