NI Data Link Test Framework System Requirements

NI Data Link Test Framework has the following requirements:

  • Processor—4 GHz (64-bit)
  • RAM—16 GB RAM
    Note NI recommends a minimum of 32 GB RAM if you are compiling your own firmware.
    Note Depending on the amount of data acquired and/or processed, a larger amount of memory may be required.
  • Screen Resolution—Minimum 1,024 × 768
  • Operating System—Any supported OS, with all available critical updates and service packs
  • Supported Operating Systems

    Determine which versions of NI Data Link Test Framework are compatible with your Windows operating system.

    Table 14. Compatibility Information for NI Data Link Test Framework and Windows Operating Systems
    Driver Name Supported Operating System (64-bit)
    Data Link Test Framework Windows 10 or later

    Supported LabVIEW Versions

    Determine which versions of LabVIEW are compatible with NI Data Link Test Framework.

    Table 15. Compatibility Information for NI Data Link Test Framework and LabVIEW
    Driver Name Earliest Supported LabVIEW Version
    Data Link Test Framework LabVIEW 2023

    Supported Hardware

    NI Data Link Test Framework provides support for the following hardware models.

    Coprocessors

    • PXIe-6594
    • PXIe-7903
    • PXIe-7915
    Note Refer to Coprocessor CLIPs for information about the supported ports on the coprocessors.

    Vector Signal Transceivers (VST)

    • PXIe-5840
    • PXIe-5841 VST or PXIe-5841 with PXIe-5655
    • PXIe-5842 VST (Up to 2 GHz Bandwidth), PXIe-5842 VST with 54 GHz Frequency Extension, or PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz Bandwidth)

    Hardware Overview

    The NI Data Link Test Framework system includes the following hardware components.

    Notice A system and the surrounding environment must meet the requirements defined in the specifications documents for each hardware component.
    Table 16. System Hardware Components
    Component Description and Recommendations
    PXI Chassis

    A PXI chassis houses the NI Data Link Test Framework system and supplies power, communication, and timing/synchronization for the functions.
    Note NI recommends the PXIe-1092 and PXIe-1095 chassis. Refer to the VST hardware documentation for recommended model guidance.
    PXI Controller

    A PXI controller, installed in the same PXI chassis as the instruments, interfaces with the instrument using NI device drivers.
    Note NI recommends the PXIe-8881 PXI controller to meet system benchmark specifications.
    Vector Signal Transceiver (VST) Instrument

    The VST instrument.
    • PXIe-5840—Select this model for 1 GHz bandwidth TX and RX.
    • PXIe-5841—Select this model for 1 GHz bandwidth TX and RX.
    • PXIe-5842 —Select this model for up to 4 GHz bandwidth TX and RX.
    Note Refer to Supported Hardware Configurations for more information.
    Coprocessor

    The PXI High-Speed Serial Instrument provides FPGA programming support for custom algorithms.
    • PXIe-6594
    • PXIe-7903
    • PXIe-7915
    Note Refer to Supported Hardware Configurations for more information.
    Additional Cabling

    Cables not included in the hardware kits that allow connectivity to/from the instruments for measurements.
    Note Refer to Supported Hardware Configurations for more information.

    Supported Hardware Configurations

    Learn about the NI Data Link Test Framework supported hardware configuations.

    PXIe-5840

    Use the following components to create a system with the PXIe-5840 capable of 1 GHz bandwidth for TX and RX.

    Table 17. PXIe-5840 Supported Configurations
    Coprocessor Coprocessor CLIP Additional Cabling
    PXIe-6594 dmsc_6594_00 Nano-Pitch Male to Nano-Pitch Male OCuLink x4 Cable (1 m length): 785486-01

    Quantity: 1

    PXIe-7903 dmsc_7903_00 Nano-Pitch Male to Mini-SAS HD Male OCuLink x4 Cable (1 m length): 786215-01

    Quantity: 1

    PXIe-7915 dmsc_7915_00 Nano-Pitch Male to Nano-Pitch Male OCuLink x4 Cable (1 m length): 785486-01

    Quantity: 1

    Supported VST bitfiles:

    • VST MGT Streaming.lvbitx
    • Data Link VST MGT Streaming.lvbitx

    PXIe-5841

    Use the following components to create a system with the PXIe-5841 capable of 1 GHz bandwidth for TX and RX.

    Note Use the PXIe-5841 VST or PXIe-5841 with PXIe-5655 for the NI Data Link Test Framework system.
    Table 18. PXIe-5841 Supported Configurations
    Coprocessor Coprocessor CLIP Additional Cabling
    PXIe-6594 dmsc_6594_00 Nano-Pitch Male to Nano-Pitch Male OCuLink x4 Cable (1 m length): 785486-01

    Quantity: 1

    PXIe-7903 dmsc_7903_00 Nano-Pitch Male to Mini-SAS HD Male OCuLink x4 Cable (1 m length): 786215-01

    Quantity: 1

    PXIe-7915 dmsc_7915_00 Nano-Pitch Male to Nano-Pitch Male OCuLink x4 Cable (1 m length): 785486-01

    Quantity: 1

    Supported VST bitfiles:

    • VST MGT Streaming.lvbitx
    • Data Link VST MGT Streaming.lvbitx

    PXIe-5842 (Up to 2 GHz Bandwidth)

    Use the following components to create a system with the PXIe-5842 capable of 2 GHz bandwidth for TX and RX.

    Note Use the PXIe-5842 VST (Up to 2 GHz Bandwidth) or PXIe-5842 VST with 54 GHz Frequency Extension for the NI Data Link Test Framework system.
    Table 19. PXIe-5842 (2 GHz Bandwidth) Supported Configuration
    Coprocessor Coprocessor CLIP Additional Cabling
    PXIe-7903 dmsc_7903_01 Mini-SAS zHD-Mini-SAS zHD HSS Passive Cable (0.5 m, 1 m, and 2 m lengths): 788927-0R5/01/02

    Quantity: 2

    Supported VST bitfiles:

    • VST MGT Streaming.lvbitx
    • Data Link VST MGT Streaming.lvbitx

    PXIe-5842 (4 GHz Bandwidth)

    Use the following components to create a system with the PXIe-5842 capable of 4 GHz bandwidth for TX and RX.

    Note Use the PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz Bandwidth) for the NI Data Link Test Framework system.
    Table 20. PXIe-5842 (4 GHz Bandwidth) Supported Configuration
    Coprocessor Coprocessor CLIP Additional Cabling
    PXIe-7903 dmsc_7903_05 Mini-SAS zHD-Mini-SAS zHD HSS Passive Cable (0.5 m, 1 m, and 2 m lengths): 788927-0R5/01/02

    Quantity: 4

    Supported VST bitfile:

    • VST MGT Streaming - 4GHz.lvbitx