The PXI-4110 is designed for use in a system that includes other hardware components, drivers, and software.

Notice A system and the surrounding environment must meet the requirements defined in PXI-4110 Specifications.

The following list defines the minimum required hardware and software for a system that includes a PXI-4110.

Table 2. System Components
Component Description and Recommendations
PXI Chassis

 A PXI chassis houses the PXI-4110 and supplies power for PXI-4110 functions.
PXI Controller or PXI Remote Control Module

 You can install a PXI controller or a PXI remote control (MXI) module depending on your system requirements. These components, installed in the same PXI chassis as the PXI-4110, interface with the instrument using NI device drivers.
Programmable Power Supply

 Your programmable power supply instrument.
Cables and Accessories

 Cables and accessories allow connectivity to/from your instrument for measurements. Refer to Cables and Accessories for recommended cables and accessories and guidance.
NI-DCPower Driver

 Instrument driver software that provides functions to interact with the PXI-4110 and execute measurements using the PXI-4110.
Note NI recommends always using the most current version of NI-DCPower with the PXI-4110. You can find the NI-DCPower driver requirements in the NI-DCPower Readme.
NI Applications

 NI-DCPower offers driver support for the following applications:
  • InstrumentStudio
  • LabVIEW
  • LabWindows/CVI
  • C/C++
  • .NET
  • Python

Cables and Accessories

NI recommends using the following cables and accessories with your module.

Table 3. Cables and Accessories
Accessory Description Notes Part Number
APS-4100, an optional auxiliary 12 V power source The PXI-4110 is available in kits with an APS-4100 (779647-11) and without (779647-10). This part number is for a stand-alone APS-4110, which can be used as a replacement auxiliary supply or to enable higher power and current on the PXI-4110 modules that do not have an auxiliary supply. 779671-01
PXI slot blockers — 199198-01
Screw Terminal Connector Kit for the PXI-4110 programmable power supply or PXI-4130 SMU Ships with PXI-4110. 780557-01

Additional Cabling and Accessory Guidance

  • If you choose to connect an optional auxiliary 12 V power source to the instrument to enable full instrument capability, you must purchase the kit for your instrument that includes the NI APS-4100 auxiliary power source (part number 779647-11), purchase the APS-4100 from NI (part number 779671-01), or use an auxiliary power source from a third-party vendor that meets the power supply requirements for the instrument. Refer to the PXI-4110 Specifications for these requirements.
  • NI recommends that you install PXI slot blockers (p/n 199198-01) to fill empty instrument slots in a PXI chassis. For more information about installing slot blockers and filler panels, go to ni.com/r/pxiblocker.

Programming Options

You can generate signals interactively using InstrumentStudio or you can use the NI-DCPower instrument driver to program your device in the supported ADE of your choice.

  • InstrumentStudio—When you install NI-DCPower on a 64-bit system, you can monitor, control, and record measurements from supported devices using InstrumentStudio. InstrumentStudio is a software-based soft front panel application that allows you to perform interactive measurements on several different device types in a single program.

    InstrumentStudio is automatically installed when you install the NI-DCPower driver on a 64-bit system. You can access InstrumentStudio in any of the following ways:

    • From the Windows start menu, select National Instruments » [Driver] Soft Front Panel. This launches InstrumentStudio and runs a soft front panel populated with NI-DCPower devices.
    • From the Windows start menu, select National Instruments » InstrumentStudio. This launches InstrumentStudio and runs a soft front panel populated with devices detected on your system.
    • From Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), select a device and then click Test Panels.... This launches InstrumentStudio and runs a soft front panel for the device you selected.
  • NI-DCPower Instrument Driver —The NI-DCPower API configures and operates the module hardware and performs basic acquisition and measurement functions.
    • LabVIEW—Available on the LabVIEW Functions palette at Measurement I/O » NI-DCPower. Examples are available from the Start menu in the National Instruments folder.
    • LabVIEW NXG—Available from the diagram at Hardware Interfaces » Electronic Test » NI-DCPower. Examples are available from the Learning tab in the Examples » Hardware Input and Output folder.
    • LabWindows/CVI—Available at Program Files » IVI Foundation » IVI » Drivers » NI-DCPower. LabWindows/CVI examples are available from the Start menu in the National Instruments folder.
    • C/C++—Available at Program Files » IVI Foundation » IVI. Refer to the Creating an Application with NI-DCPower in Microsoft Visual C and C++ topic of the NI DC Power Supplies and SMUs Help to manually add all required include and library files to your project. NI-DCPower does not ship with installed C/C++ examples.
    • Python—For more information about installing and using Python, refer to the NI-DCPower Python Documentation.