The PXIe-4147 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 the PXIe-4147 Specifications.

The following list defines the minimum required hardware and software for a system that includes a PXIe-4147.

Table 2. System Components
Component Description and Recommendations
PXI Chassis

 A PXI chassis houses the PXIe-4147 and supplies power, communication, and timing for PXIe-4147 functions.
Note NI recommends installing the PXIe-4147 in a chassis with slot cooling capacity ≥58 W for increased module capability.
Note When installing the PXIe-4147 in a chassis with slot cooling capacity = 38 W, set the chassis fan speed to HIGH.
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 PXIe-4147, interface with the SMU using NI device drivers.
SMU

 Your SMU 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 PXIe-4147 and execute measurements using the PXIe-4147.
Note NI recommends to always use the most current version of NI-DCPower with the PXIe-4147. 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
Low-Leakage TB-414X Screw Terminal Connector Kit for PXIe-414x Ships with the PXIe-4147 787611-01
SHDB25F-DB25F-LL, 25-pin D-SUB Low Leakage Cable for SMU 1 m and 2 m lengths 132893-01/02
PXIe-4147 Calibration Accessories Kit Module calibration kit includes DB25 to Low-Thermal EMF Spade Lug Assembly, DB25 to Triax/Spade Lug Assembly, HI Sense Verification Assembly, LO Sense Verification Assembly, Output Shorting Assembly 787792-01
PXI slot blockers Set of 5 199198-01
Note Visit NI SMU Cable and Accessory Compatibility at ni.com/r/cable-compatibility for more information about supported cables and accessories for your instrument.

Additional Cabling and Accessory Guidance

NI recommends the following:

  • You can 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.
  • The PXIe-4147 provides higher maximum current and more precise current measurement capabilities than earlier PXIe-414x modules. Consequently, PXIe-4147 performance can be compromised by the accessories associated with those modules. Do not use the following accessories with the PXIe-4147: DB25F-DB25F, 25-pin D-SUB Low Leakage Cable for SMU (782015-01/02) and Screw Terminal Connector Kit for PXIe-414x SMUs (781974-01).

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.