National Instruments PCI-5911

The National Instruments PCI-5911 is a high-speed digitizer designed for enhanced performance in various measurement applications. Operating at a maximum frequency of 100 MHz, this digitizer features a flexible ADC channel capable of 8-bit resolution at 100 MS/s and 21-bit resolution at 10 kS/s, allowing users to select the optimal setting for their specific needs. With capabilities for real-time sampling at 100 MS/s and the ability to acquire random interleaved signals at 1 GS/s, the PCI-5911 is well-suited for applications including component characterization, semiconductor testing, electronic testing, and video analysis.

The onboard memory supports either 4 MB or 16 MB configurations, enabling multi-record capture, which enhances data storage before processing. This digitizer ensures low noise and distortion across a variety of capturing tasks such as transient capturing, spectral analysis, waveform recording, and digitizing intermediate frequencies. For precise synchronization of multiple devices, the PCI-5911 features a 100 MHz advanced clock generator. It includes three front panel connectors: BNC, SMB, and a 9-pin mini-circular DIN, providing versatile connectivity options.

Triggering capabilities for the PCI-5911 include software, analog, and digital sources, with analog triggers being generated from threshold comparisons that incorporate hysteresis conditions. The digital trigger can be sourced from external connectors or the RTSI bus. With its scatter-gather capability, the PCI-5911 achieves faster data rates compared to traditional RS-232 and GPIB interfaces, significantly reducing overall test times.

The device is compatible with the NI-SCOPE instrument driver and integrates seamlessly with development environments such as LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, Microsoft C++, and Microsoft Visual Basic. A warm-up time of 15 minutes is standard, and while self-calibration is available, external calibration is recommended annually for optimal accuracy. The PCI-5911 measures 13.3 x 3.9 inches and operates effectively within a temperature range of 5 °C to 40 °C, with a storage temperature range from -20 °C to 65 °C. Although its status is marked as obsolete, the PCI-5911 continues to be available for purchase and repair through Apex Waves.