NI PCI-5152

Description

Detailed Parameter Table

NI PCI-5152

Product Introduction

The NI PCI-5152 is a top-tier 2-channel ultra-wideband digitizer card developed by National Instruments (NI), engineered to deliver unmatched speed, resolution, and bandwidth for PCI/PCI-X-based test and automation systems. As the flagship model in NI’s high-performance digitizer portfolio, it surpasses mid-tier options like the NI PCI-5142 to address the most demanding ultra-wideband (UWB) measurement needs—making it ideal for capturing high-frequency transient signals (up to 1.5 GHz) in aerospace defense, 5G/6G R&D, and advanced semiconductor testing.

At the core of the NI PCI-5152 is its isolated differential input design, which combines 50 Vrms isolation with superior common-mode noise rejection (up to 90 dB). This is critical for measuring small-amplitude UWB signals (e.g., 50 mV pulsed RF) in electrically harsh environments, such as near radar transmitters or high-power industrial equipment. When paired with NI’s NI-SCOPE driver and software tools like LabVIEW, the NI PCI-5152 transforms a PCI-X-equipped industrial PC into a laboratory-grade UWB oscilloscope. Engineers can leverage its 4 GS/s sampling rate to capture sub-250 ps transients (e.g., 100 ps voltage spikes) and expandable 128 MSample memory to store long-duration UWB data—enabling detailed post-analysis of complex signals like pulsed radar waveforms, 6G prototype signals, or semiconductor chip-to-chip communications. This combination of ultra-wide bandwidth, high resolution, and deep memory makes the NI PCI-5152 irreplaceable for applications where signal fidelity and measurement precision are mission-critical.

Core Advantages and Technical Highlights

1.5 GHz Bandwidth for Ultra-Wideband Signal Capture: The NI PCI-5152’s 1.5 GHz bandwidth far exceeds the 500 MHz of the NI PCI-5142, enabling it to capture ultra-wideband signals that were previously only measurable with specialized RF equipment. For example, in 6G R&D labs, engineers use the NI PCI-5152 to test prototype 6G transceivers emitting 1 GHz to 1.4 GHz signals—its flat frequency response up to 1.2 GHz ensures accurate measurement of signal amplitude and phase across the entire 6G sub-THz band. This capability eliminates the need for costly RF downconverters, reducing system complexity and measurement latency.

12-Bit Resolution for Precision Measurement: With 12-bit vertical resolution, the NI PCI-5152 delivers 16x more voltage quantization levels than 8-bit digitizers (e.g., NI PCI-5122) and 4x more than the 10-bit NI PCI-5142. This precision is critical for measuring minute signal variations—such as 5 mV amplitude fluctuations in a 1 V pulsed RF signal or sub-picosecond jitter in high-speed serial links (e.g., PCIe 6.0). In aerospace defense, for instance, the NI PCI-5152 uses its 12-bit resolution to analyze subtle changes in radar return signals, enabling the detection of small targets (e.g., drones) that would be obscured by noise in lower-resolution digitizers.

4 GS/s Sampling Rate for Sub-Nanosecond Transients: The NI PCI-5152’s 4 GS/s single-channel sampling rate captures ultra-fast transients with unprecedented detail. For example, in semiconductor failure analysis, engineers use the NI PCI-5152 to capture 200 ps-wide voltage glitches in advanced CPU power delivery circuits—its high sampling rate ensures each glitch is represented by at least 2 data points, preserving waveform shape and enabling root-cause analysis of chip failures. Even in dual-channel mode (2 GS/s per channel), the NI PCI-5152 maintains sufficient speed to measure 1 GHz clock signals with <1% sampling error, a requirement for validating high-speed semiconductor devices.

Isolated Differential Inputs for Harsh Environments: The NI PCI-5152’s 50 Vrms isolated differential inputs protect both the card and connected devices from voltage transients and ground loops—common in industrial and defense environments. For example, in electric aircraft testing, the card measures 100 mV differential signals from battery management system sensors, even when nearby high-voltage propulsion systems generate 100 V common-mode noise. This isolation eliminates the risk of equipment damage and ensures measurement accuracy, a capability unmatched by non-isolated digitizers like the NI PCI-5142.

Typical Application Scenarios

The NI PCI-5152 excels in ultra-wideband, high-precision measurement applications across mission-critical industries. In aerospace defense, it is a cornerstone of pulsed radar test systems: engineers install the NI PCI-5152 in PCI-X-based test racks, connecting its isolated differential channels to radar receiver modules. The card’s 1.5 GHz bandwidth and 4 GS/s sampling rate capture wideband radar pulses (e.g., 500 MHz to 1.2 GHz), while its 12-bit resolution preserves subtle signal features that indicate target size and velocity. The NI PCI-5152’s RF triggering capability also lets engineers isolate specific radar pulses (e.g., 1 µs duration) from background noise, ensuring compliance with military standards like MIL-STD-461 for electromagnetic compatibility.

In 5G/6G R&D, the NI PCI-5152 supports the testing of next-generation wireless transceivers. For a 6G prototype lab, the card measures UWB signals (1 GHz to 1.5 GHz) from phased-array antennas, verifying key performance metrics like error vector magnitude (EVM) and spectral efficiency. Its 12-bit resolution enables accurate measurement of 256 QAM and 1024 QAM signals—critical for validating high-data-rate 6G waveforms—while its expandable 128 MSample memory stores hours of test data for long-term signal drift analysis. The NI PCI-5152’s compatibility with LabVIEW also allows for real-time signal processing, such as beamforming optimization, accelerating 6G technology development.

In advanced semiconductor manufacturing, the NI PCI-5152 is used for high-speed serial link testing (e.g., PCIe 6.0, DDR5). For a semiconductor foundry, the card measures jitter and eye diagram performance of 32 Gbps serial links in advanced SoCs (System on Chips). Its 4 GS/s sampling rate captures the full 16 GHz Nyquist bandwidth of the signal, while its 12-bit resolution analyzes subtle jitter components (e.g., random jitter <1 ps rms). The NI PCI-5152’s pattern triggering capability isolates specific data patterns (e.g., 8B/10B encoded sequences), enabling quick identification of signal integrity issues and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

NI PCI-5152

Related Model Recommendations

NI PCI-5151: A 1-channel version of the NI PCI-5152, designed for single-signal ultra-wideband applications (e.g., standalone radar pulse testing) where dual-channel capability is unnecessary—offers the same 4 GS/s speed, 12-bit resolution, and 1.5 GHz bandwidth.

NI PCIe-5152: A PCI Express (PCIe) version of the NI PCI-5152, featuring PCIe x8 interface for 8x faster data transfer (up to 64 GB/s) — ideal for users transitioning from PCI-X to PCIe systems who need to stream large UWB datasets in real time.

NI PCI-5142: A 2-channel 10-bit digitizer with 500 MHz bandwidth, a cost-effective alternative to the NI PCI-5152 for applications where 1.5 GHz bandwidth or 12-bit resolution is not required (e.g., 5G sub-6 GHz testing).

NI PXIe-5193: A PXIe-based 2-channel digitizer with 2 GHz bandwidth and 12-bit resolution, an upgrade to the NI PCI-5152 for modular test systems requiring higher bandwidth (e.g., 6G sub-THz testing) and PXI synchronization.

NI PCI-5922: A 2-channel dynamic signal analyzer (DSA) card, pairs with the NI PCI-5152 to add frequency-domain analysis (e.g., spectrum analysis of 1.5 GHz signals) to ultra-wideband 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-5152 for mixed-speed setups (e.g., 2 channels of UWB 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., UWB pulse compression) alongside the NI PCI-5152’s capture capabilities—ideal for low-latency applications like real-time radar target detection.

NI cDAQ-9239: A CompactDAQ 4-channel module with 102.4 kS/s sampling rate, a portable alternative to the NI PCI-5152 for low-frequency field testing (e.g., on-site sensor calibration) where ultra-wideband capture is not needed.

Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance Instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing the NI PCI-5152, confirm the host PC has an available 64-bit PCI-X slot (133 MHz compatible) or 32-bit PCI slot (66 MHz mode) and meets system requirements (Windows 10/11, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe SSD for UWB 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-5152—its high-density RF components are extremely sensitive to ESD. Align the card’s edge connector with the PCI-X slot, press firmly until the bracket seats against the PC case, and secure it with two heavy-duty screws (to support the card’s weight and prevent vibration-induced signal distortion). After installation, power on the PC, install the latest NI-SCOPE driver (verify compatibility via NI’s website), and run the NI-SCOPE Precision Calibration utility to optimize gain and offset accuracy for the PC’s power supply and ambient temperature.

Maintenance suggestions: For long-term reliability of the NI PCI-5152, clean the PCI-X connector every month with compressed air (low-pressure, oil-free) to remove dust buildup, which can degrade high-speed signal integrity. Inspect the differential SMA connectors for bent pins or corrosion—use NI-approved contact cleaner (part number 781562-01) and a lint-free swab to clean oxidized contacts. If the NI PCI-5152 exhibits bandwidth degradation or resolution loss, re-run the precision calibration utility (via NI Measurement & Automation Explorer) to correct for environmental drift. Calibrate the card semi-annually using NI’s Calibration Executive (with ISO 17025 traceability) to maintain 12-bit resolution and 1.5 GHz bandwidth accuracy. For hardware issues (e.g., unresponsive channels, memory upgrade failures), contact NI’s dedicated high-performance digitizer support team—do not open the card, as this voids the warranty and risks damaging precision RF components.

Service and Guarantee Commitment

The NI PCI-5152 comes with a standard 3-year manufacturer’s warranty—longer than most high-performance digitizers—covering defects in materials and workmanship. NI guarantees the NI PCI-5152 will meet all published technical specifications during the warranty period, with free expedited repair (12–24 hour turnaround for defense and critical industrial applications) or replacement of defective units. Customers can extend coverage to 7 years via NI’s Elite Extended Service Program (ESP), which includes semi-annual ISO 17025-calibrated calibration, priority technical support (24/7 for defense clients), and on-site system validation for complex test setups.

NI provides specialized support for the NI PCI-5152 through its team of UWB and RF measurement experts: users gain access to exclusive resources, such as application notes titled “Optimizing 1.5 GHz Signal Capture with the NI PCI-5152” and hands-on training sessions for advanced triggering and signal processing. For custom projects (e.g., building a radar test bench or 6G prototype system), NI offers professional services—including system design, LabVIEW code development for real-time UWB data processing, and on-site integration support. This commitment ensures users maximize the NI PCI-5152’s performance, minimize downtime, and protect their investment in ultra-wideband measurement technology.