What Are NI PXI Chassis?

Two NI PXI chassis, the PXIe-1071 and PXIe-1085, shown side by side. These modular chassis provide power, cooling, and high-performance backplane connectivity for PXI instruments in automated test systems.

PXI chassis are the backbone of a PXI system. They physically house PXI modules and controllers, connecting them through a high-performance backplane that provides power, cooling, communication, and advanced timing and synchronization features. PXI chassis ensure your test system is reliable, scalable, and capable of supporting advanced measurement and automation needs.

Automate Diverse Instruments

PXI chassis enable flexible test system design by supporting a wide range of modular instruments so you can tailor configurations to your application needs. The industry-standard, software-connected architecture lets you mix modules, automate measurements, and scale your setup as requirements evolve.

Maintain System Reliability

Rear view of an NI PXIe-1095 chassis showing power connectors, cooling fans, and system interface ports designed for efficient airflow and reliable system

PXI chassis provide stable power and advanced cooling, supporting up to 82 W per slot. They ensure high-performance instruments operate without overheating or power drops, enabling dense test systems to function consistently without manual intervention or extra cooling.

Precisely Synchronize Modules

Rear view of an NI PXI timing and synchronization expansion module showing USB, trigger, and 10 MHz reference connectors used for system clock distribution and precise signal synchronization across PXI modules.

PXI chassis feature integrated timing and synchronization, distributing clocks and triggers for nanosecond-level precision. Achieve repeatable, coordinated measurements across all modules—even in complex, multichassis systems.

Fast, Reliable Data Movement

Front view of the NI PXIe-1081 chassis showing 18 hybrid slots designed to provide power, cooling, and low-bandwidth backplane connectivity for PXI and PXIe modules in automated test systems.

The PXI backplane serves as a high-speed data backbone, enabling fast, reliable communication between modules and the system controller. Using PCI Express technology, the backplane transfers data with high bandwidth and low latency for real-time analysis, while hardware synchronization ensures precise, scalable performance.

Scale for Any Test Environment

NI PXI systems in multiple form factors can be connected to a workstation running NI LabVIEW and NI InstrumentStudio™ software, illustrating a scalable, software-connected test setup for automated measurement applications.

Scalable PXI chassis models offer from 2 to 18 slots supporting everything from portable and benchtop setups to full rack systems. Flexible form factors and optional hybrid slots enable PXI and PXIe modules in the same system, delivering compatibility, versatility, and growth for any test environment.

Build a system with the NI System Advisor

Try the PXI Advisor

Use the NI advisor to configure your PXI system, including chassis, controller, modules, software, services, and accessories. Check compatibility, save your setup, share it with your team, and streamline quoting and purchasing.

Fundamentals of Building a Test System

Defining a test strategy and planning system investments are critical to reducing cost, optimizing your test-investment lifecycle, and maximizing efficiency. Learn test strategies, best practices, and design trade-offs for your test systems.

Free Software Included

NI PXI instruments include the following software: 

  • Ready-to-run instrument panels to control and monitor multiple PXI instruments in a single environment using NI InstrumentStudio™ software
  • Instrument drivers to simplify setup and programming with example programs for NI LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, C#, and more

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