National Instruments PXI-6551

The National Instruments PXI-6551 is a high-performance PXI Digital Waveform Generator and Analyzer designed for digital applications, including functional testing of memory chips and bidirectional communication protocols. Capable of operating at a maximum sample clock rate of 50 MHz, this instrument features 20 bidirectional channels and comes in multiple configurations, offering onboard memory options of 1 Mb, 8 Mb, or 64 Mb per channel (Part Numbers: 778538-01, 778538-02, 778538-03, and 188524K-24L).

Users can leverage the NI Digital Waveform Editor to create, modify, and graphically interact with digital waveforms, facilitating the import of existing test patterns from widely used spreadsheet and VHDL simulation formats. This intuitive software, included with the 8 Mb and 64 Mb models, enhances waveform generation through built-in patterns such as pseudorandom bit sequences (PRBS) and up/down counting sequences. The PXI-6551 is easily integrated with NI LabVIEW and other software environments, making it a versatile solution for testing various devices.

Designed for efficiency, the PXI-6551 incorporates the Synchronization and Memory Core (SMC) architecture, enabling seamless integration with NI-5122 high-resolution digitizers and NI-5441 arbitrary waveform generators in synchronized mixed-signal testing scenarios. For applications requiring precise timing, the instrument can phase-lock to the 10 MHz reference clock on the PXI backplane or accept an external reference via the front panel SMB connector.

With a compact footprint of a single 3U CompactPCI slot and a maximum power consumption of 26.5 W, the PXI-6551 balances performance with space efficiency. The included NI-HSDIO driver software provides an IVI-compliant API for Windows, supporting various development environments including LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI. The PXI-6551 is backed by a three-year warranty, and user manuals are available for download for further technical guidance. For pricing information, please contact a National Instruments sales representative.