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PXI Systems

Automate your test system with NI PXI and get higher accuracy, productivity, and speed.

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What Is PXI?

PXI is a computer for test engineers. It is a test and measurement platform that combines a controller with measurement instruments in a multi-slot chassis. Engineers use NI PXI to build high-performance, mixed-measurement systems for validation and production test.

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Industry Standard

NI created PXI to be an open standard for test hardware. PXI is now a leading industry standard for automated test with more than 60 vendors offering specialty modules.

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Built for Automated Test

NI PXI hardware delivers the production test results you need. It offers best-in-class accuracy, industry-proven reliability, and unparalleled timing and synchronization capabilities.

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Scalable

PXI’s architecture makes it possible to synchronize measurements across multiple modules or multiple chassis, so you can add to your systems as requirements change.

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Software-Defined

Unlike box instruments that have a predefined functionality, NI PXI is open so engineers can develop measurement and analysis programs specific for their application using LabVIEW, Python, or other languages.

Why Choose PXI?

blowout view of ni pxi chassis

Engineers choose NI PXI because of its high measurement performance and proven history of lowering test time and reducing the overall cost of test. The combination of PXI’s high performance, modularity, and software connectivity make it ideal for test applications that require high accuracy, high-channel count, mixed measurements.

Best for:

  • Production test systems for electronic devices
  • Automated validation test
  • High-channel, high-speed test applications
  • Combining instruments, sensor, and electrical measurements
Download the PXI system brochure
component view of PXI

PXI System Components

PXI systems are composed of three main hardware components: Chassis, controller, and modules. System software is both reconfigurable and customizable.

Chassis

Controller

Modules

Software

Services

 NI Software for your PXI System

Test Workflow

Test Workflow is a bundle of NI’s test software, including LabVIEW, TestStand, and more. From controlling your PXI instrument to deploying test sequences across your production floor, Test Workflow has what you need.

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InstrumentStudio™ Software

InstrumentStudio software is free application software for your PXI system. This software helps you to quickly take measurements and efficiently monitor and debug test systems.

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TestStand

TestStand is NI’s test executive software for engineers in validation and production. TestStand has native features for automating a sequence of tests, reusing code, and generating reports.

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Chassis

pxi chassis are available in various sizes, from 4 to 18 slots

The chassis is the backbone of a PXI system and is comparable to a PC’s mechanical enclosure and motherboard. It provides power, cooling, and a communication bus to the system, and synchronizes the instrument modules. Chassis range in size from four to 18 slots to fit the needs of your application, whether you require a portable, benchtop, rack-mount, or embedded system.

View PXI chassis

Controller

integrated pxi controllers contain everything you need to run your pxi system without an external pc

PXI controllers are either embedded or remote. Embedded controllers contain everything you need to run your PXI system without an external PC, while remote controllers let you control your PXI system from desktop, laptop, or server computer. Select the controller to meet your needs, embedded ones offer higher performance, whereas remote ones are more cost effective.

View PXI controllers

Modules

NI offers more than 600 input and output PXI modules ranging from DC to mmWave. This includes modular instruments, such as oscilloscopes and digital multimeters. Because PXI is an open industry standard, nearly 1,500 products are available from more than 60 different instrument vendors.

View all PXI modules

Get started with a PXI Instrument Bundle

Image alt text: PXI Instrument Bundles include a 5-slot Thunderbolt™ controlled PXI chassis, with an instrument in one slot and 4 remaining slots for future upgrades

PXI Instrument bundles are preconfigured sets of NI’s most popular, high-quality instruments. Each bundle includes a PXI module in a five-slot Thunderbolt™ controlled PXI chassis, so you can get started with ease.

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Services

felix ano, calibration technical manager, ni

From the moment you unbox your hardware to deployment and lifecycle maintenance, NI is here to help you get started quickly and operate efficiently.

Overcome your challenges with:

  • Repair Services

  • Lifecycle Services 

  • Configuration

  • Calibration 

Explore services

“The move to a COTS approach using PXI and LabVIEW was critical to this production-test success at Philips. The combination of best-in-class modular hardware along with industry-standard software was pivotal to the millions of dollars and hundreds of hours saved in production test engineering.”

Neil Evans

Senior Manager

Philips

  • Customer Stories

    Developing a Functional Circuit Test System with PXI

    Using PXI and LabVIEW, Honeywell developed a flexible, easy-to-use function circuit test (FCT) system and cut test system costs in half.

    Customer Stories
  • Customer Stories

    Hyundai Kefico Improves Production Test Time

    Using PXI, Hyundai Kefico achieved shorter development time and faster test speed required for functional tests of powertrain ECUs in manufacturing.

    Customer Stories
  • Customer Stories

    Innovative HIL Testbed for UPS software validation

    Using PXI and NI software, Socomec SA built a real-time, high-performance hardware and software HIL validation solution to improve the quality of their products and reduce development time.

    Customer Stories
  • Customer Stories

    Texas Instruments Uses NI PXI to Reduce Cost and Time

    Using PXI, Texas Instruments developed RF test benches with improved measurement speed, without sacrificing measurement accuracy.

    Customer Stories
 

Additional PXI Resources

A PXI Oscilloscope Bundle with a monitor displaying InstrumentStudio.

Step into the World of PXI

This on-demand, introductory webinar presents the anatomy of an NI PXI test and measurement system, including software.

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close up of NI PXI module

Fundamentals of Building a Test System

Often, a PXI system is only one component of a full automated test setup. Learn best practices for building a complete test system from start to finish.

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