Data streaming systems typically include three system components: a high-speed, low-latency data bus; a CPU; and system memory (RAM). The dataflow path from the I/O devices typically involves sending the data over the data bus through the CPU and into system memory. Engineers should be aware of the latest developments for these components.
PCI Express is the preferred bus for high-bandwidth and low-latency data streaming systems. The PCI Express 2.0 standard doubles the data throughput from PCI Express 1.0 while maintaining full hardware and software compatibility. This development represents a 60 times data throughput increase when comparing a 32-bit, 33 MHz PCI bus and a x16 PCI Express 2.0 link.
CPU advancements have led to multicore processors available off-the-shelf. New power management capabilities, such as those in the Intel Core i7 processor, make these processors ideal for data streaming applications; engineers can optimize the bandwidth based on the number of cores in use.
And with DDR3 memory gaining mainstream adoption, the available memory bandwidth has doubled compared to DDR2 memory.
Fortunately, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based data streaming systems using these technologies are available. In fact, the new NI PXIe-8133 embedded controller combines all three in one system.
