The reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.
Page 4
These classes are known as Class A (for use in industrial-commercial locations only) or Class B (for use in residential or commercial locations). All National Instruments (NI) products are FCC Class A products. Depending on where it is operated, this Class A product could be subject to restrictions in the FCC rules. (In Canada, the Department of Communications (DOC), of Industry Canada, regulates wireless interference in much the same way.) Digital...
Introduction Benefits of PXI ...1-1 NI PXI-8105 ...1-2 Description ...1-2 Functional Overview ...1-2 National Instruments Software ...1-4 Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration Installing the NI PXI-8105 ...2-1 How to Remove the Controller from the PXI Chassis ...2-4 BIOS Setup ...2-5 Entering BIOS Setup ...2-5...
Page 6
Contents Chapter 3 I/O Information Front Panel Connectors ... 3-1 Front Panel... 3-2 DVI-I ... 3-3 COM1... 3-5 Ethernet ... 3-6 Parallel Port... 3-7 Universal Serial Bus... 3-9 Trigger... 3-10 GPIB (IEEE 488.2) ... 3-11 ExpressCard/34 Slot... 3-12 Front Panel Features ... 3-14 Data Storage ...
About This Manual This manual contains detailed instructions for installing and configuring your National Instruments NI PXI-8105 embedded controller kit. How to Use the Documentation Set Begin by reading the NI PXI-8105 Installation Guide, a brief quick-start guide that describes how to install and get started with your controller.
About This Manual Bold text in this font denotes the messages and responses that the computer monospace bold automatically prints to the screen. This font also emphasizes lines of code that are different from the other examples. Related Documentation The following documents contain information you may find helpful as you read this manual: •...
Chapter 1 Introduction NI PXI-8105 Description The NI PXI-8105 PXI/CompactPCI embedded computer is a high-performance PXI/CompactPCI system controller. The NI PXI-8105 controller integrates standard I/O features in a single unit by using state-of-the-art packaging. Combining an NI PXI-8105 embedded controller with a PXI-compatible chassis, such as the NI PXI-1042, results in a fully PC-compatible computer in a compact, rugged package.
• • National Instruments Software National Instruments has developed several software tools you can use with the NI PXI-8105. National Instruments’ hardware and software work together to help you make the most of your PXI system. The LabVIEW, Measurement Studio,...
Page 13
RTSI or PXI synchronization, self-calibration, messaging, and acquiring data to extended memory. For more information visit ni.com/daq National Instruments’ Modular Instruments use specialized drivers suited to each product’s specialization. Express VIs provide customized, interactive programming of instruments in a single interface and soft front panels provide an interface for testing the functionality of each instrument with no programming required.
Page 14
NI-Sync. For more information visit NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation of the VISA specification. VISA is a uniform API for communicating and controlling USB, Serial, GPIB, PXI, VXI, and various other types of instruments. This API aids in the creation of portable applications and instrument drivers.
Plug in your chassis before installing the NI PXI-8105. The power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage while you install the module. (Make sure the power switch is turned off.) Remove any filler panels blocking access to the system controller slot (Slot 1) in the chassis.
Page 16
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration 1 Protective Screw Cap (4X) Caution Do not raise the injector/ejector handle as you insert the NI PXI-8105. The module will not insert properly unless the handle is in its downward position so that it does not interfere with the injector rail on the chassis. NI PXI-8105 User Manual Remove the protective plastic covers from the four bracket-retaining screws as shown in Figure 2-1.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration Figure 2-2 shows an NI PXI-8105 installed in the system controller slot of a National Instruments PXI-1042 chassis. You can place PXI devices in any other slots. 1 PXI-1042 Chassis How to Remove the Controller from the PXI Chassis The NI PXI-8105 controller is designed for easy handling.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration • • Main Setup Menu The most commonly accessed and modified BIOS settings are in the Main setup menu. The Main setup menu includes the following settings: • • Note Attaching a USB-to-PS/2 keyboard adapter may allow the system to boot even if no PS/2 keyboard is attached.
Page 22
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration • • • • • Note After changing DDC routing settings, a power cycle is required to enable the change. • • NI PXI-8105 User Manual Parallel Port Mode—The PC industry has created several different modes of operation for this port over the years.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration Scanning for Option ROMs on devices behind a PCI bridge cannot be disabled. Note PCI Device x Option ROM Scan—This setting selects whether PCI device x will be scanned for an option ROM. Setting this option to Enabled allows the BIOS to scan for a PCI option ROM on this PCI device.
Page 26
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration Complete the following steps to clear the CMOS contents: Do not leave the jumper on pins 2–3. Doing so decreases battery life. In addition, Caution leaving the jumper on the pins prevents the controller from booting. Normal Operation (Default) NI PXI-8105 User Manual Power off the chassis.
The directory structure under the several levels. In the reference manuals, and National Instruments software manuals, all in Adobe Acrobat format. To access any manual, change your directory to c:\images\manuals several files, one corresponding to each device.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration Chassis Configuration Configuration of the PXI system is handled through Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), included with the software pre-installed on your controller. MAX creates the the layout and parameters of your PXI system. The configuration steps for single or multiple-chassis systems are the same. An example of a multichassis configuration is shown in Figure 2-4.
Page 30
NI PXI-8105 controller. • • National Instruments has tested and verified that the DDR2 SO-DIMMs we sell Note work with the NI PXI-8105. We recommend you purchase your DDR2 SO-DIMM modules from National Instruments. Other off-the-shelf DDR2 SO-DIMM modules are not guaranteed to work properly.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration As an alternative to a USB CD-ROM drive, you can use an external SCSI CD-ROM with a PXI-SCSI adapter. Note For additional assistance with installing or changing an operating system, refer to KnowledgeBase 2ZKC02OK at ExpressCard This section provides information on the installation and removal of ExpressCard modules.
Chapter 3 I/O Information Front Panel Figure 3-1 shows the front panel layout and dimensions of the NI PXI-8105. Dimensions are in inches [millimeters]. 3.371 [85.62] 1.546 [39.26] .000 [0] NI PXI-8105 User Manual Figure 3-1. NI PXI-8105 Front Panel Layout and Dimensions 4.393 [111.58] 3.840 [97.53] 3.551 [90.19]...
Chapter 3 I/O Information Ethernet Figure 3-4 shows the location and pinouts for the Ethernet connector on the NI PXI-8105. Table 3-4 lists and describes the Ethernet connector signals. Note The Ethernet controller can perform automatic crossover, thus eliminating the need for crossover cables.
Page 40
Chapter 3 I/O Information 19–35 NI PXI-8105 User Manual Table 3-6. Parallel Port Connector Signals Default Configuration (LPT) Signal Name BUSY SLCT ACK# FAULT#(ERROR#) PAPEREND PD 2 INIT# STROBE# SLCTIN# AUTOFD# Signal Description Device Busy Select Acknowledge Fault Paper End Data Bit 0 Data Bit 1 Data Bit 2...
Chapter 3 I/O Information Trigger The TRG connector is the software-controlled trigger connection for routing PXI triggers to or from the backplane trigger bus. Figure 3-7 shows the TRG connector location on the NI PXI-8105. Table 3-8 lists and describes the trigger connector signals. 2 (Shield) NI PXI-8105 User Manual Figure 3-7.
Chapter 3 I/O Information ExpressCard/34 Slot The NI PXI-8105 controller is equipped with an ExpressCard/34 slot on the front panel, which provides I/O expansion and options for removable storage, Ethernet, and a variety of other I/O. Figure 3-9 shows the location and pinouts for the ExpressCard/34 slot on the NI PXI-8105.
Chapter 3 I/O Information Front Panel Features The NI PXI-8105 controller has the following front-panel features: • • Data Storage The NI PXI-8105 has the following data storage features: • • NI PXI-8105 User Manual A controller reset pushbutton (press the button to generate a reset to the controller) Two front panel LEDs that show PC status –...
The NI PXI-8105 has no PS/2 connector, and you need to use a USB Y-splitter cable as shown in Figure 4-1, or a similar device, to connect both a PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard. National Instruments Part Number 778713-01 is such a cable and is available through the online catalog at ni.com/products...
• • Note National Instruments has conducted thermal testing as well as mechanical shock and vibration testing, and has verified that the DDR2 SO-DIMMs we sell work with the NI PXI-8105. We recommend you purchase your DDR2 SO-DIMM modules from National Instruments.
Chapter 4 Common Configuration Questions PXI Configuration How do I use the SMB trigger on the front panel? For details, refer to the Configuration. Why doesn’t the NI PXI-8105 work with the PXI-8220 or PXI-8221? A serialized IRQ conflict with the PXI-8220/8221 and the NI PXI-8105 prevents PC cards using ISA interrupts from working with the NI PXI-8105 controller.
Page 54
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting My controller boots fine until I get to Windows, at which point I cannot read the screen. This may include garbled output, white screen, black screen, or an out of synch message from the monitor. This problem usually results from having the video card output set past the limits of the monitor.
Appendix A Specifications Operating Environment NI PXI-8105 NI PXI-8105 Extended Temp. Option Relative humidity range...10% to 90%, noncondensing Clean the NI PXI-8105 with a soft nonmetallic brush. Make sure that the device Caution is completely dry and free from contaminants before powering-on the controller again. Storage Environment NI PXI-8105 NI PXI-8105 Extended Temp.
Page 59
Appendix A Specifications CE Compliance This product meets the essential requirements of applicable European Directives, as amended for CE marking, as follows: Low-Voltage Directive (safety)...73/23/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC) ...89/336/EEC Note Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional regulatory compliance information.
Page 61
Appendix B Technical Support and Professional Services If you searched your local office or NI corporate headquarters. Phone numbers for our worldwide offices are listed at the front of this manual. You also can visit the Worldwide Offices section of office Web sites, which provide up-to-date contact information, support phone numbers, email addresses, and current events.
Page 63
Glossary Bytes. backplane An assembly, typically a printed circuit board, with connectors and signal paths that bus the connector pins. BIOS Basic Input/Output System—BIOS functions are the fundamental level of any PC or compatible computer. BIOS functions embody the basic operations needed for successful use of the computer’s hardware resources.
Page 65
Glossary Input/output—The techniques, media, and devices used to achieve communication between machines and users. Integrated Drive Electronics—Hard disk and built-in controller. IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Inches. instrument driver A set of routines designed to control a specific instrument or family of instruments, and any necessary related files for LabWindows/CVI or LabVIEW.
Page 66
Mean time to repair. NI-488 or NI-488.2 The National Instruments software for GPIB systems. NI-DAQ The National Instruments software for data acquisition instruments. NI-VISA The National Instruments implementation of the VISA standard—An interface-independent software that provides a unified programming interface for VXI, GPIB, and serial instruments.
Page 67
Glossary Random Access Memory—the computer’s primary workspace. RAMDAC Random Access Memory Digital to Analog Converter—the VGA controller chip that maintains the color palette and converts data from memory into analog signals for the monitor. resource Hardware settings used by devices in a computer system, including ISA interrupt level, DMA channel, and I/O address.
Page 70
Index data storage, 3-14 DDR SO-DIMMs installing, 2-15, 4-4 figure, 2-16, 4-5 DDR2 SO-DIMMs from National Instruments (note), 2-16, Declaration of Conformity (NI resources), B-1 diagnostic tools (NI resources), B-1 directories and files installed on hard drive, 2-13 documentation conventions used in manual, vii...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the PXI NI PXI-8105 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers