National Instruments PXI-7340

The National Instruments PXI-7340 is an advanced PXI Motion Controller designed for synchronous and coordinated motion control across up to four axes in a multitasking environment with preemptive capabilities. Featuring a dual-processor architecture, this model integrates a 32-bit CPU with a digital signal processor (DSP) and custom FPGAs to optimize performance and enhance processing power. The controller utilizes a FIFO bus interface for rapid communication, alongside offloading complex motion tasks from the host PC, thereby streamlining overall system efficiency. The PXI-7340 is equipped with eight analog inputs and four analog outputs, and it achieves a maximum update rate of 62.5 microseconds per axis.

The DSP within the PXI-7340 handles all closed-loop control functions, including position tracking and PID control computations, facilitating precise motion trajectory generation. Custom FPGAs complement the DSP by executing rapid encoder interfacing, position capture, as well as motion I/O processing—ensuring hard real-time performance. The integrated CPU manages multitasking operations, host communication, command processing, multi-axis interpolation, and error handling, all within an embedded real-time operating system (RTOS) that maximizes performance across various motion applications.

Configuration of the PXI-7340 is efficiently managed through the Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) tool, while the device operates using the NI-Motion driver software, compatible with popular software development environments such as LabVIEW and Microsoft Visual Studio. The embedded trajectory generators calculate precise position commands that dictate acceleration and velocity as axes move to target positions, with commands transmitted to the PID servo loop or stepper pulse generator based on user configurations.

With physical dimensions of 6.3 x 3.9 inches and a weight of 6 ounces, the PXI-7340 Motion Controller is an essential component for high-performance motion control applications. The product comes with a three-year warranty, and user and maintenance manuals are available for download. For pricing information, please contact a sales representative.