NI PCI-5142

Description

Detailed Parameter Table

NI PCI-5122

Product Introduction

The NI PCI-5142 is a high-performance 2-channel high-bandwidth digitizer card developed by National Instruments (NI), engineered to deliver ultra-fast signal capture and high-precision measurement for PCI-based test and automation systems. As a flagship model in NI’s high-speed digitizer portfolio, it bridges the gap between mid-tier cards (like the NI PCI-5114) and specialized RF digitizers, making it ideal for capturing high-frequency, transient signals (up to 500 MHz) in aerospace, automotive, and advanced electronics testing.

At the core of the NI PCI-5142 is its fixed differential input design, which provides superior noise immunity—critical for measuring small-amplitude signals in electrically noisy environments (e.g., near power electronics or RF transmitters). When paired with NI’s NI-SCOPE driver and software tools like LabVIEW, the NI PCI-5142 transforms a standard PCI-equipped industrial PC into a high-performance oscilloscope system. Engineers can leverage its 2 GS/s sampling rate to capture sub-nanosecond transients (e.g., 500 ps voltage spikes) and deep memory (up to 64 MSample per channel) to store long-duration high-speed data—enabling detailed post-analysis of complex signals like radar pulses or high-speed digital waveforms. This combination of speed, resolution, and memory makes the NI PCI-5142 a go-to solution for applications where signal fidelity and timing accuracy are non-negotiable.

Core Advantages and Technical Highlights

Ultra-High Sampling Rate for Transient Capture: The NI PCI-5142’s 2 GS/s sampling rate (single-channel mode) enables it to capture ultra-fast transient signals that slower digitizers (like the 100 MS/s NI PCI-5114) would miss. For example, in aerospace radar testing, engineers use the NI PCI-5142 to capture 1 ns-wide radar return pulses—its high sampling rate ensures each pulse is represented by at least 2 data points, preserving waveform shape and enabling accurate calculation of pulse width and amplitude. Even in dual-channel mode (1 GS/s per channel), the NI PCI-5142 maintains sufficient speed to measure high-frequency signals like 250 MHz clock signals in semiconductor test.

10-Bit Resolution for Enhanced Accuracy: Unlike 8-bit digitizers (e.g., NI PCI-5114, NI PCI-5122), the NI PCI-5142 features 10-bit vertical resolution, delivering 4x more voltage quantization levels. This enhanced resolution is critical for measuring small signal variations—such as 10 mV amplitude changes in a 1 V sensor output or subtle jitter in high-speed digital signals. In automotive ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) testing, for instance, the NI PCI-5142 uses its 10-bit resolution to measure tiny voltage fluctuations in LiDAR sensor outputs, ensuring accurate distance calculations and reliable object detection.

Deep, Expandable Memory for Long-Duration Capture: The NI PCI-5142’s standard 16 MSample per-channel memory can be expanded to 64 MSample, enabling long-duration high-speed signal capture without compromising sampling rate. For example, in power electronics reliability testing, engineers use the NI PCI-5142 to capture 10 seconds of 1 GS/s data (10 GSample total) from a motor drive’s switching circuit—this lets them analyze rare transient events (e.g., 1-in-1000 switching faults) that would be missed with smaller memory buffers. The expandable memory also reduces the need for data streaming to disk, minimizing latency and ensuring no data loss during capture.

Superior Noise Immunity via Fixed Differential Inputs: The NI PCI-5142’s fixed differential input configuration rejects common-mode noise (e.g., electromagnetic interference from factory machinery) by up to 80 dB—far better than single-ended inputs. In industrial environments like semiconductor fabs, where electrical noise is prevalent, this noise immunity ensures the NI PCI-5142 accurately measures 50 mV differential signals from wafer test probes, even when nearby pumps and robots generate 1 V common-mode noise. This capability eliminates the need for external signal conditioning, reducing system complexity and cost.

Typical Application Scenarios

The NI PCI-5142 excels in high-precision, high-frequency measurement applications across demanding industries. In aerospace and defense, it is a key tool for radar and communication system testing: engineers install the NI PCI-5142 in a PCI-based test rack, connecting its differential channels to radar receiver modules. The card’s 500 MHz bandwidth and 2 GS/s sampling rate capture wideband radar signals (e.g., 100 MHz to 400 MHz), while its 10-bit resolution preserves subtle signal variations that indicate target size or distance. The NI PCI-5142’s advanced triggering (e.g., pulse width triggering) also lets engineers isolate specific radar pulses for detailed analysis, ensuring compliance with military performance standards.

In automotive high-voltage (HV) component testing, the NI PCI-5142 is used to validate EV (Electric Vehicle) powertrain components like inverters and DC-DC converters. Technicians connect the card’s differential channels to the inverter’s input and output terminals, using the NI PCI-5142 to capture 1 GS/s data on switching transients (e.g., 2 ns voltage overshoots) and output voltage harmonics. Its 10-bit resolution enables accurate measurement of 20 mV ripple in a 400 V DC bus, while its noise immunity ensures reliable data even in the presence of HV cable interference. This testing helps manufacturers optimize component design and prevent premature failure in EVs.

In advanced electronics manufacturing, the NI PCI-5142 supports high-speed digital signal integrity testing for devices like 5G base station components or data center switches. For a 5G antenna module manufacturer, the card measures 256 QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) signals—its 500 MHz bandwidth and 2 GS/s sampling rate capture the 400 MHz signal bandwidth, while its 10-bit resolution analyzes amplitude and phase errors. The NI PCI-5142’s pattern triggering also isolates signal errors (e.g., jitter or eye diagram closures), enabling quick identification of manufacturing defects and ensuring compliance with 5G standards.

NI PCI-5122

Related Model Recommendations

NI PCI-5141: A 1-channel version of the NI PCI-5142, designed for single-signal high-frequency applications (e.g., standalone radar pulse testing) where dual-channel capability is unnecessary—offers the same 2 GS/s speed and 10-bit resolution.

NI PCIe-5142: A PCI Express (PCIe) version of the NI PCI-5142, featuring PCIe x4 interface for 4x faster data transfer (up to 16 GB/s) — ideal for users transitioning from PCI to PCIe systems who need to stream large datasets in real time.

NI PCI-5122: A 2-channel 8-bit digitizer with 1 GS/s sampling rate, a cost-effective alternative to the NI PCI-5142 for applications where 10-bit resolution or 500 MHz bandwidth is not required (e.g., basic power electronics testing).

NI PXIe-5186: A PXIe-based 2-channel digitizer with 12-bit resolution and 2 GS/s sampling rate, an upgrade to the NI PCI-5142 for modular test systems requiring higher resolution (e.g., medical imaging or precision sensor testing).

NI PCI-5922: A 2-channel dynamic signal analyzer (DSA) card, pairs with the NI PCI-5142 to add frequency-domain analysis (e.g., spectrum analysis of 500 MHz signals) to high-speed time-domain measurements.

NI PCI-5114: A 4-channel 8-bit digitizer with 100 MS/s sampling rate, a complementary model to the NI PCI-5142 for mixed-speed setups (e.g., 2 channels of high-speed radar data + 4 channels of medium-speed sensor data).

NI PCIe-5171R: A PCIe digitizer with integrated FPGA, offering real-time signal processing (e.g., filtering, triggering) alongside the NI PCI-5142’s capture capabilities—ideal for low-latency applications like real-time radar target detection.

NI cDAQ-9229: A CompactDAQ 2-channel module with 250 kS/s sampling rate, a portable alternative to the NI PCI-5142 for low-frequency field testing (e.g., on-site sensor calibration) where high-speed capture is not needed.

Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance Instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing the NI PCI-5142, confirm the host PC has an available 32-bit PCI slot (66 MHz compatible) or PCI-X slot (32-bit mode) and meets system requirements (Windows 10/11, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD for data storage). Power off the PC and disconnect all power sources to prevent electrical damage. Use an anti-static wristband and mat when handling the NI PCI-5142—its high-density components are sensitive to ESD. Align the card’s edge connector with the PCI slot, press firmly until the bracket seats against the PC case, and secure it with two screws (to handle the card’s heavier weight). After installation, power on the PC, install the latest NI-SCOPE driver (verify compatibility via NI’s website), and run the NI-SCOPE Self-Calibration utility to optimize performance for the PC’s power supply and temperature.

Maintenance suggestions: For long-term reliability of the NI PCI-5142, clean the PCI connector every 2 months with compressed air (use low-pressure settings to avoid damaging pins) to remove dust buildup, which can cause data transfer errors. Inspect the differential BNC connectors for bent pins or corrosion—use a contact cleaner (NI-approved part number 781562-01) for oxidized connectors to maintain signal integrity. If the NI PCI-5142 exhibits signal distortion, re-run the self-calibration utility (via NI Measurement & Automation Explorer) to correct for environmental drift. Calibrate the card annually using NI’s Calibration Executive (with ISO 17025 traceability) to maintain 10-bit resolution accuracy. For hardware issues (e.g., unresponsive channels, memory upgrade failures), contact NI technical support—do not open the card, as this voids the warranty and risks damaging precision components.

Service and Guarantee Commitment

The NI PCI-5142 comes with a standard 2-year manufacturer’s warranty—longer than many mid-tier digitizers—covering defects in materials and workmanship. NI guarantees the NI PCI-5142 will meet all published technical specifications during the warranty period, with free expedited repair (24–48 hour turnaround for critical industrial applications) or replacement of defective units. Customers can extend coverage to 5 years via NI’s Premium Extended Service Program (ESP), which includes annual ISO 17025-calibrated calibration, priority technical support, and on-site troubleshooting for complex test systems.

NI provides specialized support for the NI PCI-5142 through its team of high-speed digitizer experts: users gain access to dedicated application notes (e.g., “Optimizing Signal Integrity for 500 MHz Measurements with the NI PCI-5142”), video tutorials on advanced triggering, and direct phone/email support for complex integration challenges. For custom projects (e.g., building a radar test bench), NI offers professional services—including system design, LabVIEW code development for real-time data processing, and on-site training for engineering teams. This commitment ensures users maximize the NI PCI-5142’s performance, minimize downtime, and protect their investment in high-precision measurement technology.