EX2500A


LXI-VXI Gigabit Ethernet Slot-0 Interface

  • Up to 10 kM distance from PC to mainframe through fiberoptic interface
  • 40 MB/s block transfer rates
  • Embedded Web Interface provides interactive utility to control instruments
  • Rack-Rack TTL trigger extension through on-board LXI Trigger Bus
  • Backward compatibility with VXI 1.4 and 2.0 products
  • External Clock In/Out with on-board options for TCXO/OCXO
  • VXIplug&play compliant
Overview

VTI Instruments EX2500 is the industry's first gigabit LAN-based VXI slot 0 interface, merging Ethernet's robust architecture and widespread infrastructure and the fast emerging LXI standard for instrumentation with the popular VXIbus platform. Recognizing that many system designers require hardware that is compatible with legacy systems, but also desire to adopt new technologies, the EX2500 integrates key features of the LXI standard to create a versatile interface that extends the VXIbus to an external host through the power of Ethernet.

The Power of LXI

The VXI TTL trigger bus is a powerful component of VXI-based systems and is used to facilitate hardware handshaking between modules, freeing up the CPU for other tasks. With the introduction of the EX2500A, all eight of the VXI TTL triggers can now be extended across multiple mainframes and to other LXI devices through the LXI Trigger Bus compliant front panel connectors (LVDS). Additionally, the EX2500A incorporates the LXI standard VXI-11 instrument discovery mechanism, greatly simplifying integration within hybrid systems.

Data Transfer Rates

As technology moves toward more data intensive applications in the functional test and data acquisition environments, the ability to quickly offload data to the host controller for processing is critical. The EX2500A is a high-speed gigabit serial communications device and has been optimized for transferring blocks of data in excess of 40 MB/s, faster than any other serial interface currently found in the industry today. A high-performance DMA controller is used during block moves to achieve superior transfer rates. This is accomplished without compromising traditional message-based (word-serial) command performance.

Simplified Cabling and Connectivity

Communication back to the host processor is achieved using a standard CAT5e Ethernet cable. Distances between mainframe and host of up to 200 meters can be realized. A fiberoptic connection is available if even greater distances are required. Wireless control of VXI instruments is also now possible through the use of wireless routers. The EX2500A achieves top performance when connected to a gigabit LAN interface which is also a standard item in CPU motherboards. Low-cost gigabit Ethernet switches can be used to connect multiple mainframes to a single host. For legacy systems, SMB connectors are provided for single-line trigger input/output as well as external reference clock input/output.

Familiar Software Interfaces

The EX2500A is fully compliant with the VXIplug&play specifications and implements VISA as the API communication layer. A standard VISA I/O library is included and integrates seamlessly with either Agilent Technologies or National InstrumentsTM versions of VISA. This greatly simplifies installation of the EX2500A into legacy systems using the VISA protocol and preserves any investment in existing TPS and driver development by eliminating the need for costly code modifications.

The VXI Resource Manager is executed automatically at power up time and all system resources are allocated without the need to run a separate utility. The EX2500A runs an embedded web interface and system status including installed VXI hardware, memory allocation, IP configuration and logical address information can be viewed through an .html LXI-style web page. Direct communication to installed devices through message or register-based commands, can be achieved through this interface. Firmware updates to the module can be accomplished through a few mouse clicks.


Ordering Information

Model Description  
EX2500A LXI-VXI Gigabit Ethernet Slot-0 Interface Get Quote