Developed on the PXI platform.

[Northelia]

Hi all,

I've just started working with the PXI platform and would like to inquire whether I can develop my required modules and PCIe interface applications for the PXI platform using an FPGA development board?

[santo_13]

In general, yes, you can develop your own custom PXI cards or use PXI instruments from vendors to customize for your application.

Do you mean PXI RIO card such as PXIe-7822R?

[Northelia]

Yes, I plan to design my own PXIe card.

Originally, I intended to develop the PCIe interface and peripherals using Xilinx FPGA.

However, I haven't found any manuals on how to connect the PCIe interface to a PXI chassis, such as Pin Defined, hardware configuration, data transmission, precautions, etc.

Currently, I am exploring LabVIEW FPGA software to see if it can assist me in designing modules.

[ZYOng]

As a starter, PCI (PXI) and PCIe (PXIe) are incompatible. You cannot use a PCIe (PXIe) module on a PXI chassis. Some PXIe chassis have hybrid slots that support both PXI and PXIe modules.

PXIe is essentially PCIe + timing and synchronization features. If you don't need the additional timing and synchronization features, you will be developing a cPCIe module.

You should refer to the specifications for the mechanical and electrical aspects of hardware design. 

PXI Specification Standards Explained

PXIeHWSpec.book

PICMG | CompactPCI® Express Specification

For PCIe communication, Xilinx has a PCIe IP. LVFPGA does not have any existing toolkit or IP for PCIe. You would need to use Xilinx Vivado anyway.

After the hardware development, you can develop your own kernel driver, or Using NI-VISA to Communicate with a PXI/PCI Device

[Northelia]

Got it.

In Introduction to the PXI Architecture Mechanical Architecture Figure 5 specifies the connector used for communication with the PXI chassis, indicating a PXI Hybrid Slot with x8 PCI Express used in the PXI Chassis. Therefore, there was a misunderstanding that the PXI chassis could use the PCIe interface.

I will further study the specifications in the PXIeHWSpec.book.

I am not sure about the typical development process for developers on the PXI platform. Let me confirm the following development steps:

1. I can still use Xilinx FPGA development board's PCIe IP for development(like this:AX7A035)

2. Then connect it to the PXIe slot (currently unsure how the PCIe interface connects to the PXIe slot or if there is a usable connector)

3. Write drivers for PXI

Thank you.

[santo_13]

Pickering has a bunch of prototyping solutions - https://www.pickeringtest.com/en-us/products/pxi/instrumentation/digital-i-o-prototype/prototyping-m...

https://www.pxisa.org/ has more info on the standard and developing your instrument.

You may save time by working with a company that has this expertise.