PXI: The Standard in the Testing Industry

In the late 1990s, test and measurement engineers generally had only two test-specific platforms to choose from—VXI and GPIB. VXI modularized the platform, but was expensive, complicated to use, and could not leverage mainstream computer technology to achieve higher performance. GPIB offered broader functionality and a higher price-performance ratio, but was difficult to integrate into a synchronized, efficient test system. In 1997, NI drafted a new solution: PXI—CompactPCI optimized for test tasks. In 1998, NI partnered with other test equipment manufacturers to form the PXI Systems Alliance to market PXI as an industry standard. The PXI Systems Alliance is led by six manufacturers: Ascor, GeoTest, Teradyne, NI, Pickering, and PXIT, and includes more than 50 manufacturing and partner companies. Today, more than 60 companies are actively developing and supporting more than 800 PXI modules. As PXI continues to innovate and provide new products for more applications, the future development of this platform continues to be optimistic.

The success of the PXI measurement and automation platform is attributed to:

optimizing the testing of CompactPCI through integrated triggering and standardized basic system configuration;

utilizing mainstream technologies such as PCI, Microsoft Windows, eurocard and Ethernet;

having the best measurement performance among similar products;

continuously improving performance;

a more cost-effective choice;

being used in a variety of industries (such as consumer electronics, military/aviation, industrial process control, cutting-edge research, etc.); and

being widely supported by many manufacturers around the world.

According to the annual report of the "PXI and VXIbus Newsletter", at the end of 2002, the number of PXI products had exceeded 880.   

PXI is growing rapidly and all application fields are generally optimistic that

the high growth rate of PXI will continue in the future. This is mainly because: First, from the perspective of the entire test field, the demand for reducing product costs (especially test costs) will increase the number of automated test systems. Secondly, from the perspective of the technical advantages of PXI itself, it integrates timing and triggering, higher bandwidth and better cost-effectiveness, making it the first choice for test platforms. Thirdly, PXI also provides a clear hybrid solution, that is, PXI can easily integrate hardware and software, including previous generation VXI, GPIB and serial devices with new PXI products, USB and Ethernet devices. Finally, the newly launched PXI products continue to expand the performance range of PXI. For example, several performance expansion products launched in 2003 include: LeCroy-new 2GS/s digitizer; Aeroflex-matched 3GHz RF synthesizer and digitizer; NI-100Ms/s mixed signal kit, arbitrary waveform generator, digitizer and digital I/O. Some large and growing markets such as consumer electronics, military and aviation, industrial testing and cutting-edge research are using PXI to meet their various needs. In the field of consumer electronics

: Lexmark International has always relied on large-scale production, fast time to market, and good manufacturing cost management to maintain success. For this reason, the test system used in its product line must also maintain a low total system cost and maintenance cost so that it can be replicated and applied in various manufacturing plants around the world. Lexmark International selected NI's PXI 100 MS/s mixed-signal suite - including NI's PXI-5122 high-precision digitizer and PXI-6552 digital waveform generator/analyzer - and LabVIEW 7 Express software to improve measurement accuracy and digital clock rates for its electrical test.

In the military and aerospace fields: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, a leader in the manufacture of advanced military aircraft - including the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, replaced its VME-based system with a new test system that uses industry-standard PXI measurement hardware and software. Compared with the original equipment, the test speed increased by 80 times, while saving the airline hundreds of thousands of dollars in design and development costs for the new fighter.

In the field of industrial testing: GenRad's 85 years of experience in automotive testing and NI's comprehensive hardware and software environment have jointly promoted the success of the GR Versa test platform. In order to conduct as many ECU (electronic control unit)
parallel tests as possible, GenRad selected the 7 slots of the NI standard PXI chassis and designed a 21-slot 6U PXI chassis to meet the possible growth of test needs and system upgrade space in the future.

In the field of cutting-edge research: In order to quickly establish a high-performance test platform capable of measuring the characteristics and dynamic performance of urban rail vehicle bogie components, Dalian Railway Institute selected NI's PXI-1000, PXI-1001, PXI-1002, PXI-8330, PXI-6070E and PXI-6071E, as well as LabVIEW software, and successfully completed the project. By applying object-oriented programming technology and "multi-layer" architecture to test program development, the maintainability and scalability of the system are improved.

In addition, PXI products have long been widely adopted in the automotive and ATE manufacturing fields.  

Support from many manufacturers promotes all-round benefits for customers

. One of the main advantages of PXI is that more than 60 manufacturers support and promote the development of the standard. A large number of manufacturers will ensure the speed of innovation, as well as provide more functions and higher cost performance. At the same time, it also means that engineers must know the selection criteria when choosing products, that is, the manufacturer must be at the leading level in technology, support and operation.

Technology leadership requires the best performance, innovation and complete software applicability among similar products. Best-in-class performance includes accuracy, dynamic range, sampling rate or source rate available, data throughput, flexibility, calibration, operating range, and other important test instrument parameters. Technology leaders innovate continuously, bringing new hardware and software to market. These new product innovations continue to expand the capabilities of PXI and bring value to customers. Furthermore, it requires technology leaders to provide software solutions for application development, configuration, and setup, as well as efficient instrument drivers.

Support leadership requires that engineers developing test and measurement systems communicate with suppliers' engineers before and after purchase to reduce the pressure of test time. Since the application of systems is distributed globally, technical support leaders should provide sales and technical support engineers in local languages ​​in all time zones around the world.

Operational leadership requires investment of resources, continuous product introduction, and quality assurance. From 1998 to the present, PXI operational leaders have fully demonstrated their investment in products. This can be seen in the number of new products introduced and the breadth and functionality of their PXI product family. Finally, operational leaders reflect product quality through compliance with global specifications, safety regulations, and ISO 900x certifications.

PXI is rapidly becoming the de facto standard for test and measurement, reflected in the rapid growth of market share, the continuous expansion of application market areas, innovation and the large number of PXI companies. By developing PXI, a CompactPCI that can achieve optimized testing, more than 60 companies have ensured interoperability, versatility and clear selection standards. As more than 60 PXI system alliance members continue to use mainstream technologies, improve system automation, and develop multi-platform hybrid solutions, PXI innovation will continue.