Description
NI PCI – 5112 Product Description
1. Product Overview
The NI PCI – 5112 is a high – performance 2 – channel digitizer from National Instruments, designed to meet the demands of applications requiring high – speed data acquisition with enhanced capabilities compared to some of its counterparts like the NI PCI – 5102. It is a PCI – based device that slots directly into a PC, bringing advanced digitization features to standard computing setups.
2. Detailed Parameter Table
| Parameter Name | Parameter Value |
| Product Model | NI PCI – 5112 |
| Manufacturer | National Instruments (NI) |
| Product Category | High – speed 2 – channel digitizer for PCI interface |
| Electrical Performance | – Number of Channels: 2 simultaneously sampled single – ended analog input channels – ADC Resolution: 8 – bit – Sampling Rate: Programmable, up to 100 MS/s real – time; can reach up to 2.5 GS/s with random – interleaved sampling – Analog Input Bandwidth: 100 MHz – Input Voltage Range: Software – selectable attenuation enables an input voltage range from ±25 mV to ±25 V; maximum DC offset of ±37 V – AC/DC Coupling: Software – selectable |
| Physical Size | Dimensions (L×W): Similar form – factor to PCI standard, details might be around 4 – 6 inches in length and 6 – 8 inches in width (approximate, check official NI documentation for exacts) |
| Interface Type | PCI interface (complies with relevant PCI standards); BNC female connectors for analog input (Ch 0 and Ch 1) and analog trigger (Trig); SMB female connector for digital trigger PFI 1 and aux connector for PFI 2 |
| Communication Protocol | Communicates via PCI bus; Utilizes NI – Scope driver software; Supports integration with software like LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measurement Studio, as well as traditional languages such as C/C++ and Visual Basic |
| Environmental Requirements | – Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 40 °C – Storage Temperature: – 20 °C to 70 °C – Relative Humidity: 10% to 90% non – condensing |
| Installation Method | Installs into a standard PCI slot in a PC. Mounting should follow proper electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions. |
| Performance Indicators | – On – board Acquisition Memory: 16 MB or 32 MB per channel, with multi – record capture mode – Sophisticated Triggering: Features programmable trigger thresholds, hysteresis values, bi – level triggering, and trigger hold off on both input and dedicated trigger channels. Allows defining the number of samples to be acquired before and after a trigger event. – Digital Triggers: Equipped with two TTL/CMOS digital triggers for synchronizing multiple instruments. – Time – stamping of records to 2ns accuracy |
| Power Requirements | Draws power from the PCI bus; specific power draw details can be found in NI’s official documentation, but expected to be within typical PCI device power consumption ranges |
| Compatibility | Compatible with operating systems supported by NI – Scope driver (e.g., various Windows operating systems commonly used in industrial and lab settings). Works well with NI software tools and third – party applications that support NI – Scope. |
| Special Features | – Deep on – board acquisition memory for buffering large amounts of data – Wide analog bandwidth for capturing high – frequency signals accurately – Ability to timestamp records with high precision |
NI PCI-5112
3. Core Advantages and Technical Highlights
3.1 Exceptionally High Sampling Rate
The PCI – 5112 offers a real – time sampling rate of up to 100 MS/s, which is significantly higher than the 20 MS/s of the PCI – 5102. This makes it ideal for applications where extremely fast – changing signals need to be captured. For example, in high – speed communication systems such as 5G base station testing, where signals can have rapid fluctuations, the PCI – 5112 can precisely digitize these signals. With random – interleaved sampling, the effective sampling rate can be extended up to 2.5 GS/s, providing even more detailed insights into high – frequency phenomena.
3.2 Broad Analog Input Bandwidth
Featuring a 100 MHz analog input bandwidth, the PCI – 5112 can handle a wider range of high – frequency signals compared to the 15 MHz bandwidth of the PCI – 5102. In high – frequency radar applications, where signals can span a wide frequency spectrum, the PCI – 5112’s broad bandwidth enables the accurate capture of these signals. This allows radar engineers to analyze the fine details of radar returns, which is crucial for target detection and tracking.
3.3 Large On – board Memory
With options for 16 MB or 32 MB of on – board acquisition memory per channel, the PCI – 5112 can buffer a substantial amount of data before transferring it to the host PC memory. This is beneficial in applications where continuous data acquisition over an extended period is required. In long – term monitoring of high – speed manufacturing processes, the large memory can store a significant amount of data, ensuring that no important information is lost during the data transfer process. The multi – record capture mode further enhances its data handling capabilities, allowing for more efficient storage and retrieval of multiple data sets.
3.4 Precise Time – stamping
The ability to timestamp records to 2ns accuracy is a unique feature of the PCI – 5112. In applications where the precise timing of events is critical, such as in multi – sensor data acquisition systems for synchronizing data from different sensors, this high – precision time – stamping ensures that all data is accurately correlated in time. This is essential for applications like high – energy physics experiments, where the timing of particle detections can provide valuable insights into the underlying physical processes.
4. Typical Application Scenarios
4.1 High – Frequency Radar Signal Analysis
In radar systems, especially those operating at high frequencies, the NI PCI – 5112 can be used to capture and analyze radar return signals. The high sampling rate and broad bandwidth enable the digitization of complex radar waveforms, which can then be processed to extract information such as target distance, velocity, and angle. For example, in air traffic control radar systems, the PCI – 5112 can help in accurately detecting and tracking aircraft by precisely analyzing the radar signals reflected from them.
4.2 High – Speed Optical Communication Testing
In the field of optical communication, the PCI – 5112 can be used to test high – speed optical transceivers and communication links. The high sampling rate allows for the capture of the rapid changes in optical – to – electrical converted signals, which are crucial for analyzing the performance of the optical communication system. Engineers can use the digitized data to measure parameters such as signal jitter, eye – pattern quality, and bit – error rate, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of optical communication networks.
4.3 High – Energy Physics Experiments
In high – energy physics experiments, such as those conducted at particle accelerators, the NI PCI – 5112 can be used to digitize signals from particle detectors. The high sampling rate, broad bandwidth, and precise time – stamping capabilities make it suitable for capturing the fast – moving particles’ signals and accurately correlating the data from different detectors. This data is essential for physicists to study the fundamental properties of particles and understand the underlying physical laws.
5. Comparison with NI PCI – 5102
| Comparison Aspect | NI PCI – 5102 | NI PCI – 5112 |
| Sampling Rate | Up to 20 MS/s real – time, up to 1 GS/s with random – interleaved sampling | Up to 100 MS/s real – time, up to 2.5 GS/s with random – interleaved sampling |
| Analog Input Bandwidth | 15 MHz | 100 MHz |
| On – board Acquisition Memory | 663,000 samples (total) | 16 MB or 32 MB per channel |
| Time – stamping Accuracy | Not explicitly mentioned as a standout feature | 2ns accuracy |
| Suitable Applications | General high – speed data acquisition in electronics, telecommunications for signals with relatively lower frequency content. PCB testing, power supply testing. | High – frequency applications like radar signal analysis, high – speed optical communication testing, high – energy physics experiments where higher sampling rates and broader bandwidths are required. |
NI PCI-5112
6. Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance Instructions
6.1 Installation Preparation
Similar to the PCI – 5102, before installing the NI PCI – 5112, power off the PC and ensure there is an available PCI slot compatible with the device. Wear an ESD wristband to protect the card from electrostatic discharge. Gently insert the PCI – 5112 into the PCI slot, ensuring it is properly seated, and then secure it with the appropriate chassis screw.
Connect the input signals to the BNC connectors on the front panel using suitable shielded cables to minimize noise interference. When connecting sensors or other signal sources, ensure the output of the source is compatible with the input requirements of the PCI – 5112.
Download and install the latest version of the NI – Scope driver software from NI’s official website. After installation, use NI’s Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to detect the PCI – 5112. In MAX, configure the device settings, such as sampling rate, channel configuration, and calibration options.
6.2 Maintenance Suggestions
To maintain the accuracy and performance of the NI PCI – 5112, perform self – calibration on a regular basis, at least once every few months. This can be done through software commands within the NI – Scope driver or using compatible applications like LabVIEW.
Inspect the connectors (BNC, SMB, and aux) regularly for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose connections. If any issues are detected, clean the connectors using a suitable contact cleaner and ensure the connections are tightened properly. Avoid exposing the PC and the PCI – 5112 to extreme temperatures, humidity, or mechanical vibrations outside of the specified operating conditions.
If you notice any abnormal behavior or inaccurate measurements, use MAX to run diagnostic tests on the PCI – 5112. Update the NI – Scope driver software whenever new versions are available to ensure compatibility with the latest operating systems and to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements.
6.3 Service and Guarantee Commitment
National Instruments (NI) provides a standard warranty for the NI PCI – 5112, which covers defects in materials and workmanship. The exact duration of the warranty can be found in NI’s official product documentation. For customers who require additional protection, NI offers extended warranty plans, similar to those for the PCI – 5102, such as the ServicePlus Premium plan. This plan not only extends the warranty period but also includes benefits like priority technical support, annual calibration services, and expedited repairs.
NI’s global technical support team is available to assist users with any questions or issues related to the PCI – 5112. Whether it’s a problem with installation, calibration, or software integration, you can reach out to NI’s support via phone, email, or online chat. Additionally, NI provides a wealth of online resources, including application notes, user manuals, and example code, to help users make the most of the PCI – 5112 in their applications.
