MXI-3 and MXI-4 compatibility with MXI-Express

MXI-Express is based on the PCI Express standard technology, while MXI-3 and MXI-4 are based off the PCI standard.

As of March 2017, all MXI-Express cards with a PXI/PCI connector offered on the NI website contain a PCIe-to-PCI bridge to convert a PCI signal to a PCIe signal. This allows systems that require a MXI-3 or MXI-4 connection to convert to and output a MXI-Express signal. This bridge implementation is illustrated in the diagram below.

Figure 1: A functional block diagram of a PXI MXI-Express Card

Figure 2: A functional block diagram of a PCI MXI-Express Card

See the table below for more information on compatibilities for our MXI-Express x1 cards. Note that MXI-Express x4 cards are not compatible with MXI-Express x1 connections.

* Product has an integrated MXI-Express x1 port.

† These configurations are not supported, even though the front panel MXI connectors are mechanically compatible. For these configurations the boards will likely report a valid cable link via the front panels LEDs. Since these link scenarios expose a possible data integrity issue that may not be obvious to the user, National Instruments strongly recommends against using these configurations.

Note: For installation instructions and other information concerning the NI PXI-1033, NI PXIe-1073, NI VXI-8360T, NI 9157, NI 9159, and the NI 3100/3110, refer to their respective user manuals.

Note: PCI Express host slots will give better throughput and latency performance than PCI slots.

• MXI-Express x1 Series User Manual and Specifications
• Set Up Your MXI -Express x4 System
• MXI Compatibility and Connectivity Troubleshooting Guide