NI PXIE-8840

Description

NI PXIE-8840 Product Description

Detailed parameter table

NI PXIE-8840

Product introduction

The NI PXIE-8840 is a high-performance real-time controller designed for mission-critical PXI Express systems requiring deterministic operation and extreme reliability. As the flagship model in NI’s real-time controller lineup, this 3U module combines industrial-grade computing power with hard real-time capabilities, making it ideal for applications where precise timing and consistent performance are non-negotiable.

Featuring an 8-core Intel Core i7 processor and 32 GB DDR4 RAM (expandable to 64 GB), the PXIE-8840 delivers exceptional processing throughput while maintaining deterministic execution with sub-1 µs jitter. Its x16 Gen 3 PXI Express upstream link ensures ultra-fast communication with modular instruments, enabling synchronized operation across complex test and control systems. Whether deployed in aerospace simulation, automotive HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) testing, or industrial process control, the PXIE-8840 serves as a robust processing hub that bridges high-performance computing with real-time reliability.

Core advantages and technical highlights

Deterministic Real-Time Performance: The NI PXIE-8840 runs on NI Linux Real-Time, an operating system optimized for deterministic task execution. This ensures that critical control loops and data acquisition tasks complete within guaranteed time windows, with jitter below 1 µs—essential for applications like flight simulation, where even minor timing variations can compromise system accuracy. The controller’s hardware-enforced real-time scheduler prioritizes time-critical operations, preventing non-essential tasks from interfering with mission-critical processes.

Extreme Processing Power: With an 8-core, 16-thread Intel Core i7 processor (2.2 GHz base, 4.1 GHz turbo), the PXIE-8840 handles simultaneous real-time control, data processing, and visualization tasks without performance degradation. This multi-core architecture allows engineers to partition workloads—for example, dedicating specific cores to high-speed control loops while others process sensor data or run user interfaces. The 32 GB DDR4 RAM (expandable to 64 GB) supports large datasets in applications like radar signal processing or high-channel-count data logging.

Ruggedized Design: Engineered to operate in harsh environments, the PXIE-8840 offers an extended temperature range of -40 °C to 70 °C, making it suitable for deployment in military vehicles, industrial machinery, and environmental test chambers. Its enhanced shock and vibration resistance (15 g operational shock, 5 g continuous vibration) ensures reliability in mobile or high-vibration environments, such as automotive test rigs or aerospace ground support equipment. The 1 TB NVMe SSD provides durable, high-speed storage that outperforms traditional SATA drives in both speed and longevity.

High-Speed System Integration: The x16 Gen 3 PXI Express upstream link delivers data transfer rates up to 16 GB/s, minimizing latency between the controller and other PXI Express modules. This bandwidth is critical for HIL testing, where the controller must exchange millions of data points per second with FPGA-based I/O modules to simulate real-world conditions accurately. The dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports enable high-speed communication with external systems, while Wi-Fi 6 support facilitates wireless monitoring in remote or mobile applications.

Typical application scenarios

In automotive HIL testing, the NI PXIE-8840 serves as the central processing unit for validating electronic control units (ECUs). It runs real-time vehicle models with sub-millisecond update rates, exchanging data with PXI Express I/O modules to simulate sensors and actuators. The controller’s deterministic performance ensures that ECU responses are tested under accurate timing conditions, critical for validating advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving features. Its rugged design allows integration into test cells with varying temperatures and mechanical vibration.

In aerospace and defense, the PXIE-8840 powers flight simulation systems, processing complex aerodynamic models to generate realistic flight dynamics. It synchronizes with PXI Express motion control modules to drive simulator platforms and visual systems, maintaining precise timing between visual cues, motion feedback, and control inputs. The controller’s real-time performance ensures that pilot inputs produce immediate, accurate responses, creating a realistic training environment. Its extended temperature range also makes it suitable for on-board testing in aircraft prototypes.

In industrial process control, the PXIE-8840 enables precise regulation of manufacturing processes, such as semiconductor wafer fabrication or chemical production. It executes advanced control algorithms (PID, model predictive control) with microsecond-level update rates, adjusting equipment parameters based on real-time sensor data from PXI Express acquisition modules. The controller’s reliability in harsh environments ensures continuous operation in factory settings, while its network connectivity allows integration with enterprise systems for data logging and process optimization.

NI PXIE-8840

Related model recommendations

NI PXIE-8840RT: A variant of the PXIE-8840 with enhanced real-time synchronization features, including integrated NI-TClk for multi-chassis timing. It’s ideal for distributed test systems requiring sub-nanosecond synchronization across multiple controllers.

NI PXIE-8135: A non-real-time embedded controller that complements the PXIE-8840 in hybrid systems. While the PXIE-8840 handles real-time control, the PXIE-8135 manages data logging, visualization, and user interaction, offloading non-critical tasks.

NI PXIE-7968R: A high-performance FPGA module that works with the PXIE-8840 in HIL test systems. The FPGA handles high-speed I/O with nanosecond precision, while the PXIE-8840 runs complex models, creating a powerful combination for real-time simulation.

NI PXIE-1095: A 14-slot rugged PXI Express chassis designed for mobile or harsh environments. When paired with the PXIE-8840, it creates a compact, rugged system suitable for on-vehicle testing or field-deployed measurement systems.

NI PXIe-6674T: A timing and synchronization module that enhances the PXIE-8840‘s capabilities in multi-instrument systems. It provides precise clock distribution and trigger generation, ensuring all modules operate with sub-nanosecond alignment.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing the NI PXIE-8840, ensure the PXI Express chassis is powered off and has a compatible controller slot (typically slot 1). Verify the chassis firmware supports the controller’s x16 Gen 3 interface. Use anti-static equipment (wrist strap, grounded mat) when handling the module to prevent electrostatic damage to sensitive components. For extreme environment deployment, confirm the operating conditions (temperature, vibration) are within the controller’s specifications (-40 °C to 70 °C).

Commissioning: Insert the PXIE-8840 into the controller slot, ensuring secure seating in the backplane connector. Power on the chassis and configure basic network settings via the NI Real-Time Configuration Utility. Install required software (LabVIEW Real-Time, device drivers) using NI Package Manager, selecting components for your specific application. Verify real-time performance using the NI Real-Time Execution Trace Toolkit, measuring task jitter to confirm it meets application requirements. Synchronize with other modules using PXI trigger lines or NI-TClk, calibrating timing offsets as needed for multi-module systems.

Maintenance suggestions: Regularly update the PXIE-8840‘s firmware and NI Linux Real-Time image to access performance improvements and security patches. Monitor SSD health using built-in diagnostic tools to predict storage failures before they occur, especially in write-intensive applications like data logging. Inspect cooling vents monthly for dust accumulation, cleaning with compressed air to maintain thermal efficiency—critical for operation in high-temperature environments. For systems in mobile applications, check connector tightness quarterly to prevent vibration-induced loosening. Use NI System Monitor to track CPU usage, memory utilization, and network traffic, identifying performance bottlenecks proactively.

Service and guarantee commitment

NI backs the PXIE-8840 with a 5-year warranty, the longest in its controller lineup, reflecting confidence in the product’s industrial-grade reliability. This coverage includes repair or replacement of defective units, with priority handling for critical applications to minimize downtime.

Technical support is available 24/7 for mission-critical deployments, with specialists experienced in real-time systems providing assistance via phone, email, or secure remote access. NI offers calibration services traceable to ISO/IEC 17025 standards, ensuring the controller maintains timing accuracy and performance specifications over its lifecycle.

For customers requiring enhanced support, NI provides custom service agreements including on-site maintenance, accelerated repair turnarounds, and dedicated technical account managers. These agreements ensure the PXIE-8840 delivers consistent performance in applications where system downtime could result in significant operational or financial impacts.