Installing and use of XPRS-cPCIe

1. Introduction

The XPRS-cPCIe connects with one of our XRPS-HOST-.. cards, and allows using of a Compact PCI Express (cPCIe), or a PXI Express (PXIe) peripheral card outside of a computer system.

XPRS-cPCIe product

XPRS-cPCIe product

PXIe card

PXIe card PXIe card

The image shows XPRS-cPCIe product, and one PXI Express peripheral card.


2. Preliminary step

Based on the computer system one preliminary step is installing of a XPRS-HOST-EC xprs-host-ec on a notebook system with an ExpressCard slot

We are offering a low cost ExpressCard based notebook system to help with upgrading.

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3. Assembly of XPRS-cPCIe

Mount the XPRS-cPCIe on the 2 connectors of the cPCIe or PXIe card.

XPRS-cPCIe + PXIe card - mounting

There are 2 ways to connect the 2 cables to the connectors on XPRS-cPCIe.

XPRS-cPCIe + PXIe card - connecting cables

Make sure that the XPRS-HOST-.. card is inserted, and the host computer system is powered on.

If the onboard LED is not lit, the LED is not on, the cables are connected in the wrong way.
In such case remove both cables, switch positions, and plug to the other connectors.

The image above shows the right way - the onboard LED is lit, the LED is on.

XPRS-cPCIe + PXIe card - powering


The cPCIe / PXIe interface requires either 3.3V only, or 3.3V and 12V to be supplied for the cPCIe / PXIe card.

The image above shows both 3.3V and 12V power supplied to XPRS-cPCIe for the cPCIe / PXIe card.

XPRS-cPCIe + PXIe card - use on a notebook system

Normally cPCIe / PXIe cards are used on a special chassis, however together with XPRS-cPCIe can be used on standard desktop and notebook systems.

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4. Insert / remove of peripheral cards

When the host system is a notebook, and the operating system supports ExpressCard slots, you can dynamically insert/remove cPCIe / PXIe card together with XPRS-cPCIe.

XPRS-cPCIe + PXIe card - 'device manager' [
Click to enlarge]

When the host system is a desktop, or the operating system does not support hot insert/ remove of PCI Express based peripherals you need to:
- power off host system
- mount XPRS-HOST-.. in the system
- connect cables to XPRS-cPCIe - in the proper way
- mount on cPCIe / PXIe card
- power on host system



5. Use of a cPCIe / PXIe card

The specific peripheral card used in this article is a PXIe DAQ card from National Instruments.

This card is handled in the 'Measurement & Automation explorer' software - listed under used 'Devices and Interfaces'.

The self test for the card passes successfully.

XPRS-cPCIe + PXIe card - 'Measurement & Automation explorer'
[Click to enlarge]

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