PXI(e) Controller and Chassis Compatibility

Updated Mar 4, 2024

Reported In

Hardware

  • PXI Controller
  • PXI Chassis

Driver

  • PXI Platform Services

Issue Details

  • Will my NI PXI Express (PXIe) controller work with any PXIe chassis?
  • Will my NI PXI controller work with any PXI chassis?
  • Can I use a PXIe controller on a PXI chassis or vice versa?

Solution

PXIe - PXIe: Most NI PXIe controllers (including remote, embedded, and rackmount) are compatible with any NI PXIe chassis. Exceptions are explained below:   
Exception 1: The PXIe-1073, PXIe-1083, and PXIe-1090 chassis do not require a PXIe controller. These chassis already include an integrated MXI Remote Controller and Thunderbolt Remote Controller. You can't install any additional controllers in these chassis as they don't have a controller slot. 

Exception 2: The PXIe-8881 requires a chassis that supports 82 W slot cooling capacity, such as the PXIe-1092 or PXIe-1095. Operating and performance are not guaranteed in other chassis. 

PXI - PXI: All NI PXI controllers are compatible with all NI PXI chassis, although bandwidth limitations of older controllers should be taken into account. The maximum bandwidth for PXI chassis is 132MB/s. If more bandwidth is needed, consider upgrading to PXIe.

PXIe - PXI: PXIe and PXI use different bus architectures. A PXIe controller will not fit into a PXI chassis nor will a PXI controller fit into a PXIe chassis. If you have the wrong chassis/controller combination then the chassis will not power on. 
Note: This does not necessarily apply to PXI peripheral modules. Most NI PXI modules are hybrid-slot compatible PXI-1 cards and are designed to work in the hybrid slots of a PXIe chassis. Consult your peripheral module's product manual to confirm if it is hybrid-slot compatible.

Additional Information