Archived:Simulate a PXI Chassis to Access the Backplane

Updated Apr 29, 2024

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This content provides support for older products and technology, so you may notice outdated links or obsolete information about operating systems or other relevant products.

Environment

Hardware

  • PCI-1588
  • PXI-1000
  • PXI-1002
  • PXI-1006
  • PXI-1010
  • PXI-1011
  • PXI-1020
  • PXI-1025
  • PXI-1031DC
  • PXI-1031
  • PXI-1033
  • PXI-1036
  • PXI-1042
  • PXI-1042Q
  • PXI-1044
  • PXI-1045
  • PXI-1050
  • PXI-1052
  • PXI-1056
  • PXIe-1062Q
  • PXIe-1065
  • PXIe-1066DC
  • PXIe-1071
  • PXIe-1073
  • PXIe-1075
  • PXIe-1078
  • PXIe-1082
  • PXIe-1085
  • PXIe-1086

Driver

  • PXI Platform Services

In NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), you can use VISA Test Panels to view the PXI backplane for physical hardware.By creating a simulated PXI Chassis, you can do the same with simulated PXI hardware. 

Note that this process works for some legacy PXI hardware and may not be available for all PXI Chassis. 

  1. Open NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
  2. Right click on Devices and Interfaces and select Create New...
  1. From the popup menu select PXI Chassis and click Next
  1. Of the three options, select the option most relevant to your application. Then click Next.
  1. Next expand the menu so that you can choose the appropriate PXI Bus for your application. Then click Finish once you are done.
  1. Now you should have a new item in Devices and Interfaces labeled Chassis (Unidentified). From here right click on Chassis (Unidentified), and select Model Number that is the most relevant to your application.
  1. After selecting the Model Number the chassis should appear in Devices and Interfaces under Model Number “Chassis n” (Chassis number will change depending the number of PXI Chassis on your system). Lastly, to get to the test panel right click on Model Number “Chassis n” and select Open VISA Test Panel which should open up the test panel for PXI Backplane.

The Warning notice is expected, see Why Do I Get Error VISA: (Hex 0xBFFF001D) When I View My PXI Test Panel?  for more information