Use a PXI1002 without PC

[Pablito]

Hi.
I would like to know if it's possible to use a PXI1002 to aquire data without plugging it to a PC. In the instruction manuals I've read it looks like I have to do it using MXI and then configure it with "Measurment&Studio" and run it under labview.

I wanted to aquire data with a signal generator and nothing else, but when start up the PXI1002 alone, I don't find any application on its hard drive. Either in the disquettes or CD that came with it.

Thank you all.

Pablo Teran

[Jeremy R.]

Pablito,

I'm not sure I fully understand your entire question, but as far as PXI connectivity goes, there are two solutions:

Embedded Controller: Our embedded controllers (PXI-8176, PXI-8186, etc.) are basically very compact PCs that use laptop components. These controllers will run Windows 2000 or Windows XP and you can control your chassis independent of any connection to a desktop PC. All of your software and drivers will be installed on the controller.

MXI: Our remote controllers (MXI-3 or MXI-4) are basically PCI-PCI bridges. By connecting your PXI chassis to a desktop PC, you are essentially expanding the PCI bus of the desktop PC. All of your software and drivers will be installed on the desktop PC.

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,
Jeremy R.
NI - Applications Engineer

[Pablito]

Hi again.

Thanks for your help. I think I'm starting to understand what's this all about. The way I want to use the PXI is the first in your list. But I would like to ask another question. Should I expect then the PXI to start up windows when I swith it on? Because when I do it, all I see is a DOS environment, and there are no executable programs at all.

Thanks again,

Pablo

[Jeremy R.]

Pablito,

Whenever you order a controller from National Instruments, it will come with either Window 2000 or XP. If the controller is not new, then it is possible that somebody whiped the HD and you will need the recovery CD.

The other possibility is that the controller is a Real Time (RT) controller and does not have a Windows OS installed. If that is the case, you will need a host PC with your drivers and LabVIEW RT... from there you can download the drivers into the RT controller.

Best Regards,
Jeremy R.
NI - Applications Engineer

[Pablito]

Hi once more.

Well, I think mi PXI-1002 has a real time NI PXI-8175, even more since there isn't any windows in it. My question is now: How do I connect a PC to it? And, since I'm so lost, does anybody know a very basic manual explaining this kind of things? I don't want to bother you asking this kind of questions all the time.

Thank you very much,

Pablo

[Vineet_A.]

Hello Pablo,

The RT controller itself won't show anything on the monitor connected to it, besides the IP address and other initialization information. The way to run an application in LabVIEW Real-Time is really by targeting it from some other host computer, with the LabVIEW and the LabVIEW Real-Time module installed. The application itself is developed on a Windows or MacOSX system and then downloaded to the real-time controller to run with reliability and determinism.

I would recommend reading Getting Started with the LabVIEW Real-Time Module to help guide you through your first real-time applications. 

Regards,
Vineet A.