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Chapter 3 Hardware Overview
© National Instruments Corporation 3-3 MXI-Express (x1) for PXI Express Series User Manual
Cabled MXI Express Connector
The cabled MXI Express connector provides all necessary signals to
connect an NI PCIe-8361/8362 and an NI PXIe-8360. These signals
include the PCI Express transmit and receive pair, the system clock,
presence detect signals, reset, and a wake-up signal. This connector is not
compatible with the cabled PCI Express specification being defined by the
PCI-SIG.
PCI Express-to-PCI Bridge
The PCI Express Base Specification defines a PCI Express-to-PCI bridge
as a device that connects a PCI Express fabric and a PCI hierarchy. On the
NI PXIe-8360, the PCI Express-to-PCI bridge connects the x1 PCI Express
link and an SMBus Master on the card.
SMBus Master
The SMBus is a low-speed bus for reading and configuring devices outside
the normal PCI Express mechanism. The PXI Express specification
requires controllers to supply an SMBus for reading chassis configuration
information from an EPROM. It may also be used for fan control, power
monitors, or other system devices. In addition, devices on plug-in boards
may connect to the SMBus for purposes specific to those devices.
LED Indicators
The LEDs on MXI-Express give status information about power supplies
and link state. The NI PCIe-8362 has two tri-color LEDs, one for each port
on the panel. The NI PXIe-8360 has two LEDs, one for power supply status
and one for link state.
The LEDs on the NI PCIe-8362 indicate the following:
Table 3-1. NI PCIe-8362 Status LED Messages
Color Meaning
Off Power is off
Red Power is out of spec
Amber Power is within spec; no link to chassis
Green Power is within spec; link established