Installing and use of XPRS-PX-X16
1. Introduction
The XPRS-PX-X16 connects with one of our XRPS-HOST-.. cards, and allows using of the whole range of types of PCI Express peripheral cards - x1/x4/x8/x16 outside of a computer system, through a cable.
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The image shows XPRS-PX-X16 product, cables coming from XRPS-HOST-.. card, and one PCI Express -x16 type peripheral card.
2. Preliminary step
Based on the computer system one preliminary step is installing of a xprs-host-ec on a notebook system with an ExpressCard slot
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3. Assembly of XPRS-PX-X16
There are 2 ways to connect the 2 cables to the connectors on XPRS-PX-X16.
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Make sure that the XPRS-HOST-.. card is inserted, and the host computer system is powered on.
The image above shows the wrong way of connecting the cables to the connectors - the onboard LED is not lit, the LED is not on.
In such case remove both cables, switch positions, and plug to the other connectors.
The image below shows the right way - the onboard LED is lit, the LED is on.
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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 PCI Express -x16 type card on XPRS-PX-X16.
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-PX-X16 - in the proper way
- mount PCI Express -x16 type card
- power on host system
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5. Powering and Enclosing
5.1. Adding power
PCI Express cards require 3.3V for powering, and optionally may use also +12V for powering.
If a peripheral card uses 3.3V with low current consumption, the card may be powered directly through the cables.
PCI Express -x16 cards normally have high current consumption, beyond the amount of current provided through the cables.
The XPRS-PX-X16 and the PCI Express card can be powered by our PWR-12V product. This way of powering covers most of the PCI Express card used - allow currents of up to 20-25A on 3.3v, and max current on 12V depending on the PWR-12V power supply.
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In case the PCI Express card uses extremely high currents, you can connect a standard ATX power supply to provide 3.3V and 12V with high currents.
Please check the User's Guide .pdf, the chapter on XPRS-PX-X16, for details.
5.2. Putting in an enclosure
The XPRS-PX-X16 together with the PCI Express -x16 type card may be mounted in an enclosure.
The image below shows putting the cards in our ISA-PCI-B1 enclosure.
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Longer and larger PCI Express -x16 type card may be put in our ISA-PCI-B2 enclosure.
5.3. Using other type of PCI Express card
The PCI Express is made compatible between the different form factors - x1 / x4 / x8 / x16 .
The XPRS-PX-X16 can take the whole range of PCI Express peripheral cards.
The 2 images below shows using of PCI Express -x1 card in the cards in the XPRS-PX-X16.
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The image above shows separately PCI Express -x1 card with XPRS-PX-X16.
The image below shows assembled PCI Express -x1 card with XPRS-PX-X16.
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PCI Express -x4 and -x8 peripheral card may be mounted in XPRS-PX-X16 as well. Order XPRS-PX-X16