National Instruments Personal Computer PXI 8184 User Manual

PXI  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
July 2004 Edition  
Part Number 370836B-01  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
 
Important Information  
Warranty  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 embedded PXI computers are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from  
the date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment that  
proves to be defective during the warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.  
The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming instructions, due to defects  
in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National  
Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives  
notice of such defects during the warranty period. National Instruments does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be  
uninterrupted or error free.  
A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside of the package before  
any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shipping costs of returning to the owner parts which are  
covered by warranty.  
National Instruments believes that the information in this document is accurate. The document has been carefully reviewed for technical  
accuracy. In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National Instruments reserves the right to make changes to subsequent  
editions of this document without prior notice to holders of this edition. The reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected.  
In no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.  
EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN, NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF  
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF  
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR  
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY  
THEREOF. This limitation of the liability of National Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action, whether in contract or tort, including  
negligence. Any action against National Instruments must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. National Instruments  
shall not be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty provided herein does not cover  
damages, defects, malfunctions, or service failures caused by owner’s failure to follow the National Instruments installation, operation, or  
maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the product; owner’s abuse, misuse, or negligent acts; and power failure or surges, fire,  
flood, accident, actions of third parties, or other events outside reasonable control.  
Copyright  
Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,  
recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of National  
Instruments Corporation.  
Trademarks  
CVI, LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, National Instruments, National Instruments Alliance Partner, NI, NI-488, NI-488.2™  
ni.com, NI-DAQ, NI-VISA, RTSI, and SCXI, are trademarks of National Instruments Corporation.  
,
Product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.  
Members of the National Instruments Alliance Partner Program are business entities independent from National Instruments and have no  
agency, partnership, or joint-venture relationship with National Instruments.  
Patents  
For patents covering National Instruments products, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txtfile  
on your CD, or ni.com/patents.  
WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS  
(1) NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED WITH COMPONENTS AND TESTING FOR A LEVEL OF  
RELIABILITY SUITABLE FOR USE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH SURGICAL IMPLANTS OR AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN  
ANY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHOSE FAILURE TO PERFORM CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT  
INJURY TO A HUMAN.  
(2) IN ANY APPLICATION, INCLUDING THE ABOVE, RELIABILITY OF OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS CAN BE  
IMPAIRED BY ADVERSE FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FLUCTUATIONS IN ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY,  
COMPUTER HARDWARE MALFUNCTIONS, COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE FITNESS, FITNESS OF COMPILERS  
AND DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE USED TO DEVELOP AN APPLICATION, INSTALLATION ERRORS, SOFTWARE AND  
HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS, MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING OR CONTROL  
DEVICES, TRANSIENT FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (HARDWARE AND/OR SOFTWARE), UNANTICIPATED USES OR  
MISUSES, OR ERRORS ON THE PART OF THE USER OR APPLICATIONS DESIGNER (ADVERSE FACTORS SUCH AS THESE ARE  
HEREAFTER COLLECTIVELY TERMED “SYSTEM FAILURES”). ANY APPLICATION WHERE A SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD  
CREATE A RISK OF HARM TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS (INCLUDING THE RISK OF BODILY INJURY AND DEATH) SHOULD  
NOT BE RELIANT SOLELY UPON ONE FORM OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DUE TO THE RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE. TO AVOID  
DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MUST TAKE REASONABLY PRUDENT STEPS TO  
PROTECT AGAINST SYSTEM FAILURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BACK-UP OR SHUT DOWN MECHANISMS.  
BECAUSE EACH END-USER SYSTEM IS CUSTOMIZED AND DIFFERS FROM NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS' TESTING  
PLATFORMS AND BECAUSE A USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MAY USE NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS IN  
COMBINATION WITH OTHER PRODUCTS IN A MANNER NOT EVALUATED OR CONTEMPLATED BY NATIONAL  
INSTRUMENTS, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING AND VALIDATING  
THE SUITABILITY OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS WHENEVER NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE  
INCORPORATED IN A SYSTEM OR APPLICATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE APPROPRIATE DESIGN,  
PROCESS AND SAFETY LEVEL OF SUCH SYSTEM OR APPLICATION.  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Compliance  
FCC/Canada Radio Frequency Interference Compliance  
Determining FCC Class  
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rules to protect wireless communications from interference. The FCC  
places digital electronics into two classes. These classes are known as Class A (for use in industrial-commercial locations only)  
or Class B (for use in residential or commercial locations). All National Instruments (NI) products are FCC Class A products.  
Depending on where it is operated, this Class A product could be subject to restrictions in the FCC rules. (In Canada, the  
Department of Communications (DOC), of Industry Canada, regulates wireless interference in much the same way.) Digital  
electronics emit weak signals during normal operation that can affect radio, television, or other wireless products.  
All Class A products display a simple warning statement of one paragraph in length regarding interference and undesired  
operation. The FCC rules have restrictions regarding the locations where FCC Class A products can be operated.  
Consult the FCC Web site at www.fcc.govfor more information.  
FCC/DOC Warnings  
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions  
in this manual and the CE marking Declaration of Conformity*, may cause interference to radio and television reception.  
Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Department  
of Communications (DOC).  
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by NI could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the  
FCC Rules.  
Class A  
Federal Communications Commission  
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC  
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated  
in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and  
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this  
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user is required to correct the interference  
at their own expense.  
Canadian Department of Communications  
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.  
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.  
Compliance to EU Directives  
Users in the European Union (EU) should refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for information* pertaining to the  
CE marking. Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional regulatory compliance  
information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit ni.com/hardref.nsf, search by model number or product line,  
and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.  
*
The CE marking Declaration of Conformity contains important supplementary information and instructions for the user or  
installer.  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
About This Manual  
How to Use the Documentation Set...............................................................................vii  
Chapter 1  
Benefits of PXI ..............................................................................................................1-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 .........................................................................................................1-1  
Modules...........................................................................................................1-2  
Chapter 2  
PXI Trigger Connectivity................................................................................2-15  
Upgrading RAM ............................................................................................................2-15  
Hard Drive Recovery.....................................................................................................2-17  
Installing an OS .............................................................................................................2-17  
Installing from a CD-ROM .............................................................................2-17  
Installing from a Network ...............................................................................2-18  
© National Instruments Corporation  
v
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Contents  
Chapter 3  
Parallel Port..................................................................................................... 3-6  
Universal Serial Bus........................................................................................ 3-8  
Trigger............................................................................................................. 3-10  
Chapter 4  
Cables and Connections ................................................................................................ 4-3  
Operating System and Software Driver Installation...................................................... 4-4  
Basic PXI System Configuration .................................................................... 4-5  
Upgrade Information ..................................................................................................... 4-6  
PXI Configuration ......................................................................................................... 4-8  
Chapter 5  
Troubleshooting  
Appendix A  
Technical Support and Professional Services  
Glossary  
Index  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
vi  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
About This Manual  
This manual contains detailed instructions for installing and configuring  
your National Instruments NI PXI-8184/8185 embedded computer kit.  
How to Use the Documentation Set  
Begin by reading the NI PXI-8184/8185 Installation Guide, a brief  
quick-start guide that describes how to install and get started with your  
controller.  
This manual contains more details about changing the installation or  
configuration from the defaults and using the hardware.  
Conventions  
The following conventions appear in this manual:  
»
The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options  
to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to  
pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options  
from the last dialog box.  
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.  
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to  
avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.  
bold  
Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such  
as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes parameter  
names.  
italic  
Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction  
to a key concept. This font also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word  
or value that you must supply.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
vii  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
         
About This Manual  
monospace  
Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the  
keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.  
This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,  
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations,  
variables, filenames, and extensions.  
monospace bold  
Bold text in this font denotes the messages and responses that the computer  
automatically prints to the screen. This font also emphasizes lines of code  
that are different from the other examples.  
Related Documentation  
The following documents contain information you may find helpful as you  
read this manual:  
PICMG 2.0 R3.0 CompactPCI Specification, PCI Industrial  
Computers Manufacturers Group  
IEEE Standard P1284.1-1997 (C/MM) Standard for Information  
Technology for Transport Independent Printer/System Interface  
PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 2.2, PCI Special Interest Group  
PXI Hardware Specification, Revision 2.1, PXI Systems Alliance  
PXI Software Specification, Revision 2.1, PXI Systems Alliance  
Serialized IRQ Support for PCI Systems Specification, Revision 6.0,  
Compaq Computer et al.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
viii  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
1
Introduction  
Benefits of PXI  
The PXIbus specification defines a compact modular PC platform for  
industrial instrumentation. PXI leverages the PCI bus, which is the de facto  
standard for today’s desktop computer software and hardware designs. As  
a result, PXI users receive all the benefits of PCI within an architecture that  
supports mechanical, electrical, and software features tailored to industrial  
instrumentation, data acquisition, and automation applications.  
Well-suited for industrial applications, PXI leverages from the  
CompactPCI specification, which defines a rugged form factor for PCI that  
offers superior mechanical integrity and easy installation and removal of  
hardware components. PXI products offer higher and more carefully  
defined levels of environmental performance required by the vibration,  
shock, temperature, and humidity extremes of industrial environments.  
PXI adds mandatory environmental testing and active cooling to the  
CompactPCI mechanical specification to ease system integration and  
ensure multivendor interoperability.  
Additionally, PXI meets the more specific needs of instrumentation users  
by adding an integrated trigger bus and reference clock for multiple-board  
synchronization, a star trigger bus for very precise timing, and local buses  
for side-band communication between adjacent peripherals.  
NI PXI-8184/8185  
Description  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 PXI/CompactPCI embedded computer is a  
high-performance PXI/CompactPCI-compatible system controller. The  
NI PXI-8184/8185 controllers integrate standard I/O features in a single  
unit by using state-of-the-art packaging. Combining a NI PXI-8184/8185  
embedded controller with a PXI-compatible chassis, such as the PXI-1042,  
results in a fully PC-compatible computer in a compact, rugged package.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
1-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
             
Chapter 1  
Introduction  
Modules  
The standard I/O on both modules includes video, RS-232 serial port,  
parallel port, two USB ports, 10/100 ENET, PS/2 mouse and keyboard  
port, Reset button, and PXI Trigger. The modules have the following  
configurations:  
The NI PXI-8185 has a 1.2 GHz processor, all the standard I/O,  
a second serial port, and a 30 GB (or larger) hard drive.  
The NI PXI-8184 has an 850 MHz processor, all the standard I/O,  
and a 30 GB (or larger) hard drive.  
Functional Overview  
This section contains functional descriptions of each major logic block on  
the NI PXI-8184/8185 embedded computers.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 Functional Description  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 is a modular PC in a PXI 3U-size form factor.  
Figure 1-1 is a functional block diagram of the NI PXI-8184/8185.  
Following the diagram is a description of each logic block shown.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
1-2  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
           
Chapter 1  
Introduction  
Socket 370  
CPU  
Chip Set  
Graphics  
Memory  
Controller  
Hub  
SO-DIMM  
SDRAM  
PC 100  
VGA  
Connector  
Hub Interface  
ATA 100  
IDE Interface  
PXI  
Connector  
Chip Set  
I/O  
Controller  
Hub  
2 USB  
Connectors  
PCI Bus  
PXI  
Triggers  
10/100BaseT  
Ethernet  
Flash  
ROM  
LPC Bus  
SMB to  
PXI Trigger  
LPT 1  
PCI Bus  
Super I/O  
COM 1  
COM 2  
Watchdog  
SMB  
PS/2  
Keyboard/  
Mouse  
Figure 1-1. NI PXI-8184/8185 Block Diagram  
© National Instruments Corporation  
1-3  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
Chapter 1  
Introduction  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 consists of the following logic blocks on the  
CPU module and the I/O (daughter card) module. The CPU module has  
the following logic blocks:  
The Socket 370 CPU is the socket definition for the Intel Pentium III  
processor families.  
The SO-DIMM block consists of a 64-bit SDRAM socket that can hold  
up to 512 MB.  
The Chip Set GMCH connects to the CPU, SDRAM, and video.  
The SMB to PXI Trigger provides a routable connection of the  
PXI triggers to/from the SMB on the front panel.  
The Watchdog Timer block consists of a watchdog timer that can reset  
the controller or generate a trigger.  
The Chip Set ICH2 connects to the PCI bus USB, IDE, LPC, and  
Ethernet ports.  
The USB Connector connects the chip set to the Universal Serial Bus  
interface.  
The PXI Connector connects the NI PXI-8184/8185 to the  
PXI/CompactPCI backplane.  
The Keyboard/Mouse block contains the PS/2 keyboard and mouse  
interface.  
The Super I/O block represents the other peripherals supplied by the  
NI PXI-8184/8185. The NI PXI-8184/8185 has up to two serial ports  
and an ECP/EPP parallel port.  
The IDE block is dedicated PCI-IDE circuitry providing fast ATA-100  
transfers to the internal hard drive. The IDE feature is built into the  
chip set.  
The 10/100 Enet connects to either 10 Mbit or 100 Mbit Ethernet  
interfaces.  
The 2.5 in. hard drive is 30 GB or larger.  
National Instruments Software  
National Instruments has developed several software kits you can use  
with the NI PXI-8184/8185. The software is already installed on your  
hard drive.  
NI-DAQ has an extensive library of functions that you can call from your  
application programming environment. These functions include routines  
for analog input (A/D conversion), buffered data acquisition (high-speed  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
1-4  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
                         
Chapter 1  
Introduction  
A/D conversion), analog output (D/A conversion), waveform generation,  
digital I/O, counter/timer operations, SCXI, RTSI, self-calibration,  
messaging, and acquiring data to extended memory.  
NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation of the VISA  
specification. VISA is a uniform API for communicating and controlling  
Serial, GPIB, PXI, VXI, and various other types of instruments. This API  
aids in the creation of more portable applications and instrument drivers.  
For information on writing your own PXI instrument driver with NI-VISA,  
refer to the NI-VISA Getting Started manual and the readme.txtfile in  
the NI-VISAdirectory.  
You also can use the National Instruments LabVIEW and Measurement  
Studio application programs and instrument drivers to ease your  
programming task. These standardized programs match the modular  
virtual instrument capability of PXI and can reduce your PXI software  
development time. These programs feature extensive libraries of GPIB,  
Serial, and VXI instrument drivers written to take full advantage of direct  
PXI control. LabVIEW and Measurement Studio include all the tools  
needed for instrument control, data acquisition, analysis, and presentation.  
LabVIEW is an easy-to-use, graphical programming environment you can  
use to acquire data from thousands of different instruments, including  
IEEE 488.2 devices, VXI devices, serial devices, PLCs, and plug-in data  
acquisition boards. After you have acquired raw data, you can convert it  
into meaningful results using the powerful data analysis routines in  
LabVIEW. LabVIEW also comes with hundreds of instrument drivers,  
which dramatically reduce software development time, because you do not  
have to spend time programming the low-level control of each instrument.  
Measurement Studio allows you to choose from standard environments  
such as Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, and Visual Studio .NET to  
create your application, using tools specific for each language. With  
Measurement Studio, you can write programs quickly and easily and  
modify them as your needs change.  
LabWindows/CVIis an interactive ANSI C programming  
environment designed for building virtual instrument applications.  
LabWindows/CVI delivers a drag-and-drop editor for building user  
interfaces, a complete ANSI C environment for building your test program  
logic, and a collection of automated code generation tools, as well as  
utilities for building automated test systems, monitoring applications,  
or laboratory experiments.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
1-5  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
       
2
Installation and Configuration  
This chapter contains information about installing and configuring your  
NI PXI-8184/8185 controller.  
Installing the NI PXI-8184/8185  
This section contains general installation instructions for the  
NI PXI-8184/8185. Consult your PXI chassis user manual for specific  
instructions and warnings.  
1. Plug in your chassis before installing the NI PXI-8184/8185. The  
power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage  
while you install the module. (Make sure the power switch is  
turned off.)  
Caution To protect both yourself and the chassis from electrical hazards, leave the chassis  
powered off until you finish installing the NI PXI-8184/8185 module.  
2. Remove any filler panels blocking access to the system controller slot  
(Slot 1) in the chassis.  
3. Touch the metal part of the case to discharge any static electricity that  
might be on your clothes or body.  
4. Remove the protective plastic covers from the four bracket-retaining  
screws as shown in Figure 2-1.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
2-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
             
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
1
1
Protective Screw Cap (4X)  
Figure 2-1. Removing Protective Screw Caps  
5. Make sure the injector/ejector handle is in its downward position.  
Align the NI PXI-8184/8185 with the card guides on the top and  
bottom of the system controller slot.  
Caution Do not raise the injector/ejector handle as you insert the NI PXI-8184/8185. The  
module will not insert properly unless the handle is in its downward position so that it does  
not interfere with the injector rail on the chassis.  
6. Hold the handle as you slowly slide the module into the chassis until  
the handle catches on the injector/ejector rail.  
7. Raise the injector/ejector handle until the module firmly seats  
into the backplane receptacle connectors. The front panel of the  
NI PXI-8184/8185 should be even with the front panel of the chassis.  
8. Tighten the four bracket-retaining screws on the top and bottom of the  
front panel to secure the NI PXI-8184/8185 to the chassis.  
9. Check the installation.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
2-2  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
10. Connect the keyboard and mouse to the appropriate connectors. If you  
are using a PS/2 keyboard and a PS/2 mouse, use the Y-splitter adapter  
(refer to Figure 4-1, Y-Splitter Cable) included with your controller to  
12. Connect devices to ports as required by your system configuration.  
13. Power on the chassis.  
14. Verify that the controller boots. If the controller does not boot, refer to  
the What if the NI PXI-8184/8185 does not boot? section of Chapter 5,  
Troubleshooting.  
Figure 2-2 shows an NI PXI-8185 installed in the system controller slot of  
a National Instruments PXI-1042 chassis. You can place PXI devices in any  
other slot.  
1
NI PXI-1042  
2
3
1
PXI-1042 Chassis  
2
NI PXI-8185 Controller 3 Injector/Ejector Rail  
Figure 2-2. NI PXI-8185 Controller Installed in a PXI Chassis  
© National Instruments Corporation  
2-3  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
How to Remove the Controller from the PXI Chassis  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 controllers are designed for easy handling.  
To remove the unit from the PXI chassis, complete the following steps:  
1. Power off the chassis.  
2. Remove the bracket-retaining screws in the front panel.  
3. Press the injector/ejector handle down.  
4. Slide the unit out of the chassis.  
BIOS Setup  
You can change the NI PXI-8184/8185 configuration settings in the  
BIOS setup. The BIOS is the low-level interface between the hardware  
and PC software that configures and tests your hardware when you boot  
the system. The BIOS setup program includes menus for configuring  
settings and enabling NI PXI-8184/8185 controller features.  
Most users do not need to use the BIOS setup program, as the  
NI PXI-8184/8185 controller ships with default settings that work  
well for most configurations.  
Caution Changing BIOS settings may lead to incorrect controller behavior and possibly  
an unbootable controller. If this happens, follow the instructions for restoring default  
settings in the System CMOS section. In general, do not change a setting unless you are  
absolutely certain what it does.  
Entering BIOS Setup  
To start the BIOS setup utility, complete the following steps:  
1. Power on or reboot your NI PXI-8184/8185 controller.  
2. When the message Press <DEL> to enter SETUPappears, press  
<Delete> or <Del> on the numeric keypad. The message Entering  
Setupappears, and the setup program is loaded after a short delay.  
3. When you first enter the BIOS setup program, it displays the Main  
menu.  
Use the following keys to navigate through the BIOS setup.  
Left Arrow, Right Arrow—Use these keys to move between the  
different setup menus. If you are in a submenu, these keys have no  
effect, and you need to press <Esc> to leave the submenu first. (To use  
the arrows on the numeric keypad, you must turn off Num Lock.)  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
2-4  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
               
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
Up Arrow, Down Arrow—Use these keys to move between the  
options within a setup menu. (To use the arrows on the numeric  
keypad, you must turn off Num Lock.)  
<Enter>—Use this key either to enter a submenu or display all  
available settings for a highlighted configuration option.  
<Esc>—Use this key to return the parent menu of a submenu. At the  
top-level menus, this key serves as a shortcut to the Exit menu.  
<+> and <–>—Use these keys to cycle between all available settings  
for a selected configuration option.  
Main Setup Menu  
The most commonly accessed and modified BIOS settings are in the Main  
setup menu. The Main setup menu includes the following settings:  
System Time & Date—This setting controls the time of day, which is  
stored in a battery-backed real-time clock. Most operating systems  
also include a way to change this setting. Use <+> and <–> in  
conjunction with <Enter> to change these values.  
DMI Event Logging—This setting brings up the DMI Event  
Logging submenu. (Refer to the DMI Event Logging Submenu  
section.)  
Require Keyboard to Boot—When Yes, a missing or malfunctioning  
keyboard causes the BIOS to halt with an error. When No, the BIOS  
allows booting without a keyboard. If you are using a USB keyboard,  
you may attach it at any time during the powered up state. If you are  
using a PS/2 keyboard, you must power down the controller and then  
attach the keyboard. To use this controller in a “headless” mode, you  
must set this option to No. The default value is Yes.  
Num Lock—This setting indicates whether you turn on Num Lock at  
boot time. The default value is On.  
Primary/Secondary Master/Slave—These items display the  
IDE/ATA devices detected in the system. Normally, you do not  
need to modify these items. However, if an IDE/ATA device is not  
autodetected properly, you can specify it manually by pressing  
<Enter> on an item.  
System Information—This setting displays a screen containing  
important system information about the NI PXI-8184/8185 controller.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
2-5  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
DMI Event Logging Submenu  
Major errors that occur during the BIOS booting process are stored in  
battery-backed memory on the controller, and remain there until you view  
and clear them using this submenu. This logging capability allows a system  
administrator to detect the historical occurrence of faults on a controller.  
This submenu includes the following items:  
View DMI Event Log—This setting displays a window containing  
all logged system errors and the time at which they occurred.  
Mark Events as Read—This setting prevents any current logged  
entries from being displayed again. However, all entries remain in  
battery-backed memory, and you can retrieve them using other  
DMI software that is beyond the scope of this document.  
Clear All Events—When set to Yes, this setting clears all entries from  
the DMI event log on reboot.  
Event Logging—This setting controls whether events are logged.  
Disabling logging has no impact on system performance. The default  
is Enabled.  
Advanced Setup Menu  
This menu contains BIOS settings that normally do not require  
modification. If you have specific problems such as unbootable disks  
or resource conflicts, you may need to examine these settings.  
Caution Changing settings in this menu may result in an unstable or unbootable controller.  
If this happens, follow the procedures outlined in the System CMOS section to restore  
BIOS settings to their factory defaults.  
The Advanced setup menu includes the following settings:  
Reset Configuration Data—A portion of the EEPROM on the  
controller is designated as the Extended System Configuration Data  
region (ESCD). The BIOS and Plug-and-Play operating systems use  
this table to store the Last Known Good configuration of system  
peripherals. If you experience resource conflicts or peripheral  
malfunction, set this setting to Yes to force the BIOS to recreate the  
ESCD on the next reboot. This is rarely necessary.  
Integrated Peripherals—Use this setting to bring up the Integrated  
Peripherals submenu. (Refer to the Integrated Peripherals Submenu  
Local Bus IDE Adapter—The NI PXI-8184/8185 controller has  
two integrated IDE/ATA channels (Primary and Secondary), each  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
2-6  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
       
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
capable of supporting two ATA devices (Master and Slave). Use this  
setting to disable one or more of these integrated channels. You should  
modify this setting only if specified in other sections of this manual.  
The default is Both.  
Quick Boot Mode—When you enable this option, certain lengthy  
BIOS tests that rarely fail are skipped to shorten controller boot time.  
The default is Enabled.  
Summary Screen—This setting controls the display of the summary  
screen shown after BIOS completes its initialization, but before  
booting takes place. You can disable this screen in the interest of  
shortening controller boot time. The default is Disabled.  
PXE Network Boot—This setting enables the option for booting from  
a network PXE server on the subnet. The default is Disabled.  
Integrated Peripherals Submenu  
Use this submenu to apply nondefault configurations to the front panel  
peripherals of an NI PXI-8184/8185 controller. Normally, you do not need  
to modify these settings, as the factory default settings provide the most  
compatible and optimal configuration possible.  
Serial Port A & B—This setting enables or disables COM1 and  
COM2. You also can change this setting to Enabled and modify  
the base address and Interrupt Request Level (IRQ) of a port. The  
NI PXI-8184 does not have a COM2, so Serial Port B is always  
disabled. The default is Auto, which places COM1 at 0x3F8 IRQ 4  
and COM2 at 0x2F8 IRQ 3.  
Parallel Port—Use this setting to enable or disable LPT1. You also  
can change this setting to Enabled and modify the base address,  
IRQ level, and ISA Direct Memory Access (DMA) channel of the  
port. The default is Auto, which places LPT1 at 0x378, IRQ 7, using  
ISA DMA Channel 3 if necessary.  
Parallel Port Mode—The PC industry has created several different  
modes of operation for this port over the years. Usually, the default  
setting works for all applications. However, if a parallel port device  
specifically requires a nondefault setting, you can change it here.  
The default is Bidirectional, for full IEEE 1284 capabilities.  
Floppy DriveYou can route the internal signals used for the  
3.5 in. floppy drive operation through the pins on the parallel port  
connector. Use this setting to operate the NI PXI-8184/8185 controller  
with a specialized external floppy drive. Normally, using a Universal  
Serial Bus (USB) floppy drive is preferable to this option, which  
requires a specially designed drive and cable. (Refer to the Parallel  
© National Instruments Corporation  
2-7  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
Port section of Chapter 3, I/O Information, for pinout information.)  
Setting this option to Parallel Port disables normal LPT1  
functionality. The default is Disabled.  
Legacy USB Support—Use this setting to use a USB keyboard and  
mouse as if they were standard PS/2-style peripherals. You must enable  
this setting to use these devices in operating systems with no USB  
support and to boot from a USB floppy or CD-ROM. The BIOS setup  
screen always works with USB keyboards regardless of this setting.  
Certain real-time applications may require you to disable this setting  
to reduce loop time jitter. The default is Enabled.  
PXI Setup Menu  
Use this menu to control and route certain signals on the PXI backplane.  
Normally, you do not need to modify these settings. However, other  
sections of this manual may indicate that modifications are necessary  
and may lead to unpredictable behavior.  
INTP RoutingYou can route INTP to ISA IRQ 14, for use by a  
PXI device functioning as a Primary IDE Controller. The default  
setting is Not Routed.  
INTS RoutingYou can route INTS to ISA IRQ 15, for use by a  
PXI device functioning as a Secondary IDE Controller. You also can  
route it to the controller’s 21-frame serialized IRQ input, for use by  
certain PXI carrier cards. The default setting is Not Routed.  
Note If INTS or INTP is routed to an ISA IRQ, you must disable one or both channels of  
the integrated IDE/ATA controller for correct operation of this routing.  
LabVIEW RT Setup Menu  
Note This menu is visible only if the controller supports LabVIEW RT.  
Use this menu to configure boot options for LabVIEW RT if it is installed  
on the controller. If you are not using LabVIEW RT, you should leave these  
settings as default.  
Note These settings override the behavior of the switches on SW1. Refer to the LabVIEW  
RT Configuration Switches section for more information. To use the settings from the  
switches, select Use Hardware Switch for each option.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
2-8  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
       
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
Boot Configuration—This setting selects whether the controller  
should boot LabVIEW RT, LabVIEW RT Safe Mode, or an installed  
OS such as Windows XP. The default is Use Hardware Switch.  
Disable Startup VI—If the controller becomes inaccessible because  
of a startup VI, this switch can prevent VIs from automatically running  
at startup. The default is Use Hardware Switch.  
Reset IP Address—If the controller is deployed to a different subnet  
from which it was originally configured, or if the current IP address  
is invalid, use this switch to reset the IP address to 0.0.0.0 during  
LabVIEW RT startup. The default is Use Hardware Switch.  
Security Setup Menu  
Use this menu to apply system-level passwords to the NI PXI-8184/8185  
controller. With these passwords, you can restrict access to the BIOS setup  
program, floppy drives, and operating systems installed on bootable  
devices. If you forget any password, you can restore the CMOS contents to  
the factory default as described in the System CMOS section.  
Note In most chassis configurations, an unauthorized user has easy access to the jumper  
that resets the CMOS contents to the factory default. For a secure setup of this controller,  
National Instruments recommends further provisions that are beyond the scope of this  
document.  
The Security setup menu includes the following settings:  
Set Supervisor Password—This setting sets the password that  
governs supervisor-level access to the BIOS setup screen and booting.  
The default is no password.  
Set User Password—This setting sets the password that governs  
user-level access to the BIOS setup screen and booting. If you enter  
BIOS setup using the user password, the only BIOS setting you can  
modify is the user password. The default is no password.  
Password on Boot—This setting controls whether the controller  
requires a supervisor or user password to boot an operating system. If  
you enter the supervisor password on boot, you have supervisor-level  
diskette access. If you enter the user password on boot, you have  
user-level diskette access.  
Write Protect Boot Sector—When set to Yes, this setting prevents  
modification of a hard disk boot sector through INT 13h services,  
which may help prevent certain computer viruses from infecting the  
controller. This setting does not prevent boot sector modification  
© National Instruments Corporation  
2-9  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
by 32-bit operating system drivers that access the hard disk directly.  
The default is No.  
Note To disable a current password, leave the new password field blank by pressing  
<Enter> on the field.  
Boot Setup Menu  
This screen displays the boot order of devices associated with the  
controller. The BIOS proceeds down this list in search of a bootable device.  
If the BIOS fails to find any bootable device, the message Operating  
System Not Foundis displayed, and the system halts.  
Removable Devices—The boot list includes floppy drives, ZIP drives,  
and some USB-based devices.  
Hard Drive—The boot list includes all IDE/ATA and USB hard disks  
detected on the system. Press <Enter> on this entry to expand it to  
select the boot priority of individual IDE/ATA hard drives.  
CD-ROM Drive—The boot list includes all classes of CD-ROM  
drive, including USB drives.  
Note If an SCSI host adapter exists in the system, this menu has an additional entry for  
SCSI devices.  
Note If PXE Network Boot is enabled, this menu has an additional entry for the Ethernet  
interface.  
Exiting BIOS Setup  
The Exit setup menu includes all available options for exiting, saving, and  
loading the BIOS default configuration. As an alternative to this screen,  
press <F9> to load BIOS default settings and <F10> to save changes and  
exit setup.  
The Exit setup menu includes the following settings:  
Exit Saving Changes—Any changes made to BIOS settings are stored  
in the battery-backed System CMOS. The setup program then exits  
and reboots the controller.  
Exit Discarding Changes—Any changes made to BIOS settings  
during this session of the BIOS setup program are discarded. The setup  
program then exits and boots the controller without rebooting first.  
Load Setup Defaults—This setting restores all BIOS settings to the  
factory default. This is useful if the controller exhibits unpredictable  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
2-10  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
       
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
behavior due to an incorrect or inappropriate BIOS setting. Notice  
that any nondefault settings such as boot order, passwords, and  
keyboardless operation are restored to their factory defaults. This  
may produce undesirable behavior, and in heavily customized cases,  
may cause the controller to malfunction or fail to boot.  
Discard Changes—Any changes made to BIOS settings during this  
session of the BIOS setup program are discarded. Unlike Exit  
Discarding Changes, however, the BIOS setup continues to be active.  
Save Changes—Changes made to BIOS settings during this session  
are committed to battery-backed System CMOS. The setup program  
remains active, allowing further changes.  
System CMOS  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 contains a backed-up memory used to store  
BIOS configuration information.  
Complete the following steps to clear the CMOS contents.  
1. Power off the chassis.  
2. Remove the controller from the chassis.  
3. Move the jumper on J1 from pins 1-2 to pins 2-3, as shown in  
Figure 2-3.  
4. Wait one second. Move the jumper back to pins 1-2.  
5. Reinstall the controller in the chassis.  
Caution Do not leave the jumper on pins 2-3. Doing so decreases battery life.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
2-11  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
3
2
1
1
Normal Operation (Default)  
2
Clear CMOS Contents  
3
Pin 1  
Figure 2-3. Clearing the CMOS Contents (NI PXI-8185 Shown)  
Note For clarity, the battery is not shown in Figure 2-3.  
LabVIEW RT Configuration Switches  
Note These switches are functional only if the controller supports LabVIEW RT.  
Use the LabVIEW RT configuration switches to configure LabVIEW RT  
if it is installed on the controller. If you are not using LabVIEW RT, these  
switches should remain in the OFF position. The controller reads these  
switches only after a system reset. You must reboot the controller for any  
changes to take place.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
2-12  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 controller includes the following LabVIEW RT  
configuration switches:  
Switch 1—Boot LabVIEW RT: Set this switch to ON to boot  
LabVIEW RT.  
Switch 2—Boot Safe Mode: Set this switch to ON to boot  
LabVIEW RT into safe mode to reconfigure TCP/IP settings and  
to download or update software from a host computer. This switch  
overrides the behavior of Switch 1. Booting the controller into safe  
mode does not start the embedded LabVIEW RT engine. After  
changing the settings or software, reboot the controller with this switch  
OFF to resume normal operation.  
Switch 3—Disable Startup VI: Set this switch to ON to prevent  
VIs from automatically running at startup if the controller becomes  
inaccessible because of a startup VI.  
Switch 4—Reset IP Address: Set this switch to ON to reset the  
IP address to 0.0.0.0 and other TCP/IP settings to their defaults.  
Use this switch if moving the controller to a different subnet or if  
the current TCP/IP settings are invalid.  
Figure 2-4 shows the location of the LabVIEW RT configuration switches.  
The switches are shown in the OFF position.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
2-13  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
1
2
3
4
OFF  
1
ON  
2
3
4
1
2
Switch 1—Boot LabVIEW RT  
Switch 2—Boot Safe Mode  
3
4
Switch 3—Disable Startup VI  
Switch 4—Reset IP Address  
Figure 2-4. LabVIEW RT Configuration Switches  
Drivers and Software  
Files and Directories Installed on Your Hard Drive  
Your hard drive includes a directory called imagesin its root that  
contains software and soft copies of manuals for the peripherals. The  
directory structure under the imagesdirectory is logically organized  
into several levels.  
In the imagesdirectory, you will find a manualsdirectory,  
an osdirectory, and directories for each computer peripheral.  
The manualsdirectory contains quick reference guides, technical  
reference manuals, and National Instruments software manuals, all in  
Adobe Acrobat format. To access any manual, change your directory to  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
2-14  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
                 
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
c:\images\pxi-8180\manualsand list the contents of that directory.  
You will see several files, one corresponding to each peripheral.  
The osdirectory contains a subdirectory corresponding to the operating  
system installed on your computer.  
The rest of the directories correspond to each peripheral in your system.  
Within each of these directories are the drivers for the peripherals. These  
files and directories are copied exactly from the manufacturer distribution  
disks, so the naming conventions vary from peripheral to peripheral.  
Because the naming conventions may not be completely straightforward,  
National Instruments provides a text file named drivers.txtin the  
c:\images\pxi-8180directory. The drivers.txtfile explains how  
to install support for each peripheral. You may want to print this file for  
reference when you install your peripheral device drivers.  
PXI Features  
PXI Trigger Connectivity  
The SMB connector on the NI PXI-8184/8185 front panel can connect  
to or from any PXI backplane trigger line through software. A trigger  
allocation process is needed to prevent two resources from connecting  
to the same trigger line, resulting in the trigger being double-driven and  
possibly damaging the hardware. At the time of this manual’s publication,  
this software is not yet available; however, an interim trigger routing  
software utility is available from National Instruments. Contact National  
Instruments or refer to KnowledgeBase 2RCBPFWD at ni.com/support  
for more information.  
Upgrading RAM  
You can change the amount of installed RAM on the NI PXI-8184/8185 by  
upgrading the SO-DIMM.  
To upgrade the RAM, remove the NI PXI-8184/8185 from the PXI chassis.  
Remove the old SO-DIMM module and install the new SO-DIMM in the  
socket as shown in Figure 2-5.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
2-15  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
               
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
National Instruments offers the following types of SO-DIMMs for use with  
the NI PXI-8184/8185 controller.  
128 MB, 16 MB × 64, 7.5 ns, 1.05 in. max  
256 MB, 32 MB × 64, 7.5 ns, 1.05 in. max  
512 MB, 64 MB × 64, 7.5 ns, 1.05 in. max  
Note National Instruments has tested and verified that the SO-DIMMs we sell work with  
the NI PXI-8184/8185. We recommend you purchase your SO-DIMM modules from  
National Instruments. Other off-the-shelf SO-DIMM modules are not guaranteed to work  
properly.  
1
2
1
SO-DIMM Module  
2
SO-DIMM Socket  
Figure 2-5. Installing a SO-DIMM in an NI PXI-8184/8185 Controller  
(NI PXI-8185 Shown)  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
2-16  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
Hard Drive Recovery  
NI PXI-8184/8185 controllers include Phoenix Technologies Ltd.  
Firstware tools, either Recover or Vault, or both. These tools allow you  
to recover the original factory condition of the hard disk from a small  
protected area of your hard drive. This protected area contains an image of  
the hard disk provided to you at the time of shipment. Should you need to  
restore your software to its original condition, you can access that image  
by pressing a hot key during the initial boot process. For more information  
regarding these tools, refer to the documentation on your hard drive in the  
c:\Images\Firstwaredirectory.  
Note Your system hot key is <Alt>. To access the Phoenix Firstware Recover tool, press  
and hold <Alt> when video first appears during the boot process.  
If you need to recover your factory-installed operating system from a CD,  
you can use the included OS installation CD with an external CD-ROM  
drive such as a USB CD-ROM drive. Boot the PXI controller using the  
OS installation CD to recover the OS. You also may need to reinstall other  
software after using the CD to recover the OS.  
Note Recovering the OS using Firstware or the recovery CD erases the contents of your  
hard disk. Back up any files you want to keep.  
Installing an OS  
NI PXI-8184/8185 controllers include a preinstalled OS. In some cases,  
you may want to reinstall the OS or install a different OS. When doing so,  
consider the following guidelines.  
Installing from a CD-ROM  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 supports the installation of Windows XP from a  
USB CD-ROM. However, many other operating systems do not support  
installation from a USB CD-ROM. For example, Windows 2000 aborts  
during the install process because it does not have drivers for the CD-ROM  
device.  
With DOS drivers, you can install Windows 9x operating systems.  
However, only a few USB CD-ROM drives have DOS drivers.  
As an alternative to a USB CD-ROM drive, you can use an external SCSI  
CD-ROM with a PXI-SCSI adapter.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
2-17  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
         
Chapter 2  
Installation and Configuration  
Installing from a Network  
Complete the following steps to install an OS from a network.  
1. Create a network bootdisk. (Refer to the readme.txtfile in the  
netbootfolder on your OS installation CD.)  
2. Use another PC on the network with a CD-ROM drive. Share the drive  
and load the OS installation CD.  
3. Boot your NI PXI-8184/8185 using the network boot disk.  
4. Run the net utility from the a:drive. Map the shared CD-ROM  
(for example, drive z:).  
5. Run winnt.exefrom the \os\i386directory.  
Note To launch the installation in unattended mode, type  
z:\os\i386\winnt.exe /u:z:\os\pxi8180.txt /s:z:\os\i386  
Note For additional assistance with installing or changing an operating system, refer to  
KnowledgeBase 2ZKC02OK at ni.com/support.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
2-18  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
3
I/O Information  
Front Panel Connectors  
Table 3-1 lists various peripherals and their corresponding  
NI PXI-8184/8185 external connectors, bus interfaces, and functions.  
Table 3-1. NI PXI-8184/8185 Peripherals Overview  
NI PXI-8184/  
External  
Connector  
PXI-8185  
Models  
Peripheral  
Video  
Function  
15-pin D-SUB  
(standard VGA)  
Integrated with Dynamic Video  
Memory  
Both  
Serial  
Serial  
COM1 RS-232  
Serial Port  
(9-pin D-SUB)  
16550 serial port  
Both  
COM2 RS-232  
Serial Port  
16550 serial port  
NI PXI-8185  
(9-pin D-SUB)  
10/100 Ethernet  
Parallel  
Ethernet  
Ethernet network connection  
Extended capabilities  
Both  
Both  
Parallel Port  
(IEEE 1284)  
USB  
4-pin Series A  
receptacle  
Universal Serial Bus  
(two ports on all models)  
Both  
Both  
Keyboard/mouse  
PXI trigger  
PS/2  
PS/2-style keyboard and mouse  
(mouse requires PS/2 Y splitter)  
Trigger  
Routing PXI triggers to or from the Both  
backplane trigger bus  
Note In this chapter, the NI PXI-8185 is shown in all illustrations. The connectors are in  
similar locations on the NI PXI-8184.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
3-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
                       
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
Front Panel  
Figure 3-1 shows the front panel layout and dimensions of the  
NI PXI-8184/8185. Dimensions are in inches [millimeters].  
0.00 [0]  
0.69 [17.5]  
1.25 [31.8]  
1.31 [33.3]  
1.50 [38.1]  
1.84 [46.7]  
2.50 [63.5]  
3.00 [76.2]  
3.47 [88.1]  
Figure 3-1. NI PXI-8184/8185 Front Panel Layout and Dimensions  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
3-2  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
VGA  
Figure 3-2 shows the location and pinouts for the VGA connector on  
the NI PXI-8184/8185. Table 3-2 lists and describes the VGA connector  
signals.  
AMP manufactures a mating connector with part numbers 748364-1  
(housing) and 748333-2 (pin contact).  
11 6  
1
5
VGA  
15 10  
Figure 3-2. VGA Connector Location and Pinout  
Table 3-2. VGA Connector Signals  
Pin  
1
Signal Name  
Signal Description  
R
Red  
2
G
Green  
3
B
Blue  
4
NC  
Not Connected  
Ground  
Ground  
Ground  
Ground  
5 V  
5
GND  
GND  
GND  
GND  
+5V  
6
7
8
9
© National Instruments Corporation  
3-3  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
             
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
Table 3-2. VGA Connector Signals (Continued)  
Signal Name Signal Description  
GND  
Pin  
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
Ground  
NC  
Not Connected  
Serial Data  
SD  
HSync  
VSync  
SC  
Horizontal Sync  
Vertical Sync  
Serial Clock  
COM1 and COM2  
Figure 3-3 shows the location and pinouts for the COM1 and COM2  
connectors on the NI PXI-8184/8185. Table 3-3 lists and describes the  
COM1 and COM2 connector signal.  
AMP manufactures a serial port mating connector, part number 745491-5.  
5
1
5
1
9
6
9
6
COM2  
COM1  
Figure 3-3. COM1 and COM2 Connector Location and Pinout  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
3-4  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
         
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
Table 3-3. COM1 and COM2 Connector Signals  
Pin  
1
Signal Name  
DCD*  
Signal Description  
Data Carrier Detect  
Receive Data  
2
RXD*  
TXD*  
DTR*  
GND  
DSR*  
RTS*  
CTS*  
RI*  
3
Transmit Data  
Data Terminal Ready  
Ground  
4
5
6
Data Set Ready  
Ready to Send  
Clear to Send  
Ring Indicator  
7
8
9
Ethernet  
Figure 3-4 shows the location and pinouts for the Ethernet connector on the  
NI PXI-8184/8185. Table 3-4 lists and describes the Ethernet connector  
signals.  
AMP manufactures a mating connector, part number 554739-1.  
1
Ethernet  
8
Figure 3-4. Ethernet Connector Location and Pinout  
© National Instruments Corporation  
3-5  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
             
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
Table 3-4. Ethernet Connector Signals  
Pin  
1
Signal Description  
Differential Transmit  
2
Differential Transmit  
3
Differential Receive  
4
NC  
5
NC  
6
Differential Receive  
7
NC  
NC  
8
Parallel Port  
Figure 3-5 shows the location and pinouts for the IEEE 1284 (parallel)  
connector on the NI PXI-8184/8185. Table 3-5 lists and describes the  
IEEE 1284 connector signals.  
Parallel port adapter cables are available from National Instruments,  
part number 777169-01.  
1
19  
Parallel Port  
36  
18  
Figure 3-5. Parallel Port Connector Location and Pinout  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
3-6  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
               
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
Table 3-5. Parallel Port Connector Signals  
Floppy Configuration1  
Signal Name Signal Description  
MTR1*  
Default Configuration (LPT)  
Signal Name Signal Description  
BUSY*  
Pin  
1
Device Busy  
Select Input  
Acknowledge  
Fault  
Motor on Disk 1  
Step Pulse  
2
SLCTIN*  
ACK*  
FAULT*  
ERROR  
PD0  
Step*  
3
DS1*  
Drive Select 1  
Write Disk Data  
Head Select  
Index Pulse Input  
Track 0  
4
WDATA*  
HDSEL*  
Index*  
5
Error  
6
Data Bit 0  
Data Bit 1  
Data Bit 2  
Data Bit 3  
Data Bit 4  
Data Bit 5  
Data Bit 6  
Data Bit 7  
Initialize Printer  
Strobe  
7
PD1  
TRK0*  
WRTPRT*  
RDATA*  
DSKCHG*  
Not Used  
MTR0*  
Not Used  
DIR*  
8
PD 2  
Write Protected  
Read Disk Data  
Disk Change  
9
PD3  
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
16  
17  
18  
19–35  
36  
PD4  
PD5  
PD6  
Motor on Disk 0  
PD7  
INIT*  
STROBE*  
SLCT  
AUTOFD  
+5V  
Step Direction  
Drive Select 0  
Write Gate  
DS0*  
Select  
WGATE*  
+5V  
+5 V  
Density Select  
+5 V  
GND  
Ground  
GND  
Ground  
NC  
Not Connected  
NC  
Not Connected  
1 Refer to the BIOS Setup section of Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
3-7  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
Universal Serial Bus  
Figure 3-6 shows the location and pinouts for the Universal Serial Bus  
(USB) connector on the NI PXI-8184/8185. Table 3-6 lists and describes  
the USB connector signals.  
AMP manufactures a USB mating connector, part number 787633.  
4
USB  
1
Figure 3-6. USB Connector Location and Pinout  
Table 3-6. USB Connector Signals  
Pin  
1
Signal Name  
VCC  
Signal Description  
Cable Power (+5 V)  
2
–Data  
+Data  
GND  
USB Data–  
USB Data+  
Ground  
3
4
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
3-8  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
           
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
PS/2  
Figure 3-7 shows the location and pinouts for the PS/2 connector on the  
NI PXI-8184/8185. Table 3-7 lists and describes the PS/2 connector  
signals.  
To connect both a PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse to the NI PXI-8184/8185,  
use the Y-splitter adapter cable included with your controller (refer to  
Figure 4-1, Y-Splitter Cable).  
Replacement Y-splitter cables are available from National Instruments,  
part number 778713-01.  
3
4
5
1
2
PS/2  
6
Figure 3-7. PS/2 Connector Location and Pinout  
Table 3-7. PS/2 Connector Signals  
Y-Splitter  
Y-Splitter  
Mouse  
Pin  
1
Signal Name  
DATA  
NC  
Signal Description  
Data Keyboard  
Data Mouse  
Ground  
Keyboard  
Data Keyboard  
Data Mouse  
NC  
2
NC  
3
GND  
GND  
GND  
4
+5V  
+5 V  
+ 5  
+ 5  
5
CLK  
Clock Keyboard  
Clock Mouse  
Clock Keyboard  
NC  
NC  
6
NC  
© National Instruments Corporation  
3-9  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
             
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
Trigger  
The TRG connector is the software-controlled trigger connection for  
routing PXI triggers to or from the backplane trigger bus.  
Figure 3-8 shows the TRG connector location on the NI PXI-8184/8185.  
Table 3-8 lists and describes the trigger connector signals.  
2
1
Figure 3-8. TRG Connector Location and Pinout  
Table 3-8. TRG Connector Signals  
Pin  
1
Signal Name  
TRIG  
GND  
Signal Description  
Trigger  
Ground  
2 (Shield)  
Front Panel Features  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 have the following front-panel features:  
A system reset pushbutton (hold the button for at least two seconds to  
generate a reset to the controller).  
Two front-panel LEDs that show PC status.  
The POWER OK LED indicates that the power is on and reset is  
no longer asserted.  
The DRIVE LED indicates when an access to the internal hard  
disk is occurring.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
3-10  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
                     
Chapter 3  
I/O Information  
Data Storage  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 have the following data storage features:  
Internal IDE hard drive  
2.5 in. notebook hard drive  
Supports up to ATA-5 (UDMA 100)  
USB storage support—USB CD-ROM, floppy drive, or mass storage  
device  
© National Instruments Corporation  
3-11  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
4
Common Configuration  
Questions  
This chapter answers common configuration questions you may have when  
using the NI PXI-8184/8185 embedded controller.  
General Questions  
What do the LEDs on the NI PXI-8184/8185 front panel mean?  
The green LED indicates the power supplies to/on the NI PXI-8184/8185  
are within spec. The supplies monitored are 3.3 V, 5 V, +12 V, and the  
internally regulated processor core voltage. The hard drive LED lights  
when there is hard drive activity on the NI PXI-8184/8185.  
How do I check the configuration of the memory, hard drive,  
time/date, and so on?  
You can view these parameters in the BIOS setup. To enter the BIOS setup,  
reboot the NI PXI-8184/8185 and press <Delete> during the memory tests.  
Refer to the Entering BIOS Setup section of Chapter 2, Installation and  
Configuration, for more information.  
Can I use the internal IDE drive and an external SCSI hard drive at  
the same time?  
Yes.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
4-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
           
Chapter 4  
Common Configuration Questions  
Boot Options  
What devices can I boot from?  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 can boot from the following devices:  
The internal IDE hard drive  
An external SCSI hard drive or CD-ROM if an SCSI adapter, such as  
the PXI-8214, is used  
An external USB mass storage device such as a USB hard drive or  
CD-ROM  
An external USB floppy drive  
Note There are some limitations when booting from a USB device. Windows XP  
can be installed from a USB CD-ROM, but earlier versions of Windows cannot.  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 BIOS configures the USB devices so that they will work  
in a DOS environment.  
How do I configure the controller to boot from these devices?  
There are two methods:  
Enter Setup and select the Boot menu. You will see a list of all bootable  
devices, ordered by device type. You can set the boot order pressing  
<+> and <–>. Set the order by device type and set the order for the  
devices listed within the device type.  
To boot from a different device without permanently changing the boot  
order, press <Esc> during POST. After the BIOS completes the POST  
and just before the controller boots the OS, the Boot menu is displayed.  
You can select the device type you want to boot from.  
Note Two devices cannot share the same IDE channel, and doing so may damage the  
hardware. If you configure the PC Card ATA drive for the primary channel, you must  
physically remove the internal IDE drive.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
4-2  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
Chapter 4  
Common Configuration Questions  
Cables and Connections  
How do I plug both a PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard into the  
controller?  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 has a combined PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard  
connector, so you need to use the PS/2 Y-splitter cable shipped with the  
NI PXI-8184/8185, shown in Figure 4-1, to connect both a PS/2 mouse and  
PS/2 keyboard.  
Figure 4-1. Y-Splitter Cable  
How do I get a replacement Y-splitter cable?  
Y-splitter cables, part number 778713-01, are available through the online  
catalog at ni.com/products.  
What if I don’t have a Y-splitter cable? Can I still use a mouse and  
keyboard?  
If you do not have a Y-splitter cable, plug a PS/2 keyboard into the  
PS/2 combo connector. However, you cannot use a PS/2 mouse without  
the Y-splitter, so use a serial or USB mouse.  
How do I connect a standard 25-pin LPT cable to the  
NI PXI-8184/8185?  
The NI PXI-8184/8185 uses a type C LPT connector. Most parallel port  
devices use a type A connector. To use a device with a standard type A LPT  
connector, you need to use a type C-to-type A LPT adapter. Parallel port  
adapter cables, part number 777169-01, are available through the online  
catalog at ni.com/products.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
4-3  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
                 
Chapter 4  
Common Configuration Questions  
Operating System and Software Driver Installation  
How do I install or reinstall the video driver?  
Refer to the Drivers.txtfile on the hard drive or recovery CD-ROM.  
How do I install or reinstall the Ethernet driver?  
Refer to the Drivers.txtfile on the hard drive or recovery CD-ROM.  
How do I install software from a CD?  
The compact size of the NI PXI-8184/8185 does not allow for an integrated  
CD-ROM drive. If you are using Windows XP, you have the following  
options:  
USB CD-ROM—Windows XP supports installing from a USB  
CD-ROM using a bootable installation CD.  
SCSI, LPT, or PC Card-based CD-ROM—Other types of CD-ROM  
drives are available. Check with the vendor to make sure Windows XP  
supports the drive.  
Mapped network driveYou can use the Ethernet to connect to  
another computer. If you share the CD-ROM drive on the other  
computer, you can map the shared CD-ROM drive to a drive letter  
on the NI PXI-8184/8185.  
Chassis Configuration  
How do I set up the NI PXI-8184/8185 to work with my chassis?  
Configuration of the PXI system is handled through Measurement &  
Automation Explorer (MAX), included with the software pre-installed on  
your controller. MAX creates the pxisys.inifile, which defines the  
layout and parameters of your PXI system.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
4-4  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
                 
Chapter 4  
Common Configuration Questions  
The configuration steps for single or multiple-chassis systems are the same.  
Figure 4-2. Multichassis Configuration in MAX  
Basic PXI System Configuration  
1. Launch MAX.  
2. In the Configuration tree, click the Devices and Interfaces branch to  
expand it.  
3. If the PXI system controller has not yet been configured, it is labeled  
PXI System (Unidentified). Right-click this entry to display the  
pop-up menu, then select the appropriate controller model from the  
Identify As submenu.  
4. Click the PXI System controller. The chassis (or multiple chassis, in a  
multichassis configuration) is listed below it. Identify each chassis by  
right-clicking its entry, then selecting the appropriate chassis model  
through the Identify As submenu. Further expanding the PXI System  
branch shows all devices in the system that can be recognized by  
© National Instruments Corporation  
4-5  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
Chapter 4  
Common Configuration Questions  
NI-VISA. When your controller and all your chassis are identified, the  
required pxisys.inifile is complete.  
The PXI specification allows many combinations of PXI chassis and  
system modules. To assist system integrators, the manufacturers of  
PXI chassis and system modules must document the capabilities of their  
products. The minimum documentation requirements are contained in  
.inifiles, which consist of ASCII text. System integrators, configuration  
utilities, and device drivers can use these .inifiles.  
The capability documentation for the chassis is contained in a  
chassis.inifile provided by the chassis manufacturer. The information  
in this file is combined with information about the system controller to  
create a single system initialization file called pxisys.ini(PXI System  
Initialization). The NI PXI-8184/8185 uses MAX to generate the  
pxisys.inifile from the chassis.inifile.  
Device drivers and other utility software read the pxisys.inifile to  
obtain system information. For detailed information regarding initialization  
files, refer to the PXI specification at www.pxisa.org.  
Upgrade Information  
How do I upgrade system memory?  
You can change the amount of installed RAM on the NI PXI-8184/8185 by  
upgrading the SO-DIMM.  
To upgrade the RAM, remove the NI PXI-8184/8185 from the PXI chassis.  
Remove the old SO-DIMM module and install the new SO-DIMM in the  
socket as shown in Figure 4-3.  
National Instruments offers the following types of SO-DIMMs for use with  
the NI PXI-8184/8185 controller.  
128 MB, 16 MB × 64, 7.5 ns, 1.05 in. max  
256 MB, 32 MB × 64, 7.5 ns, 1.05 in. max  
512 MB, 64 MB × 64, 7.5 ns, 1.05 in. max  
Note National Instruments has tested and verified that the SO-DIMMs we sell work with  
the NI PXI-8184/8185. We recommend you purchase your SO-DIMM modules from  
National Instruments. Other off-the-shelf SO-DIMM modules are not guaranteed to work  
properly.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
4-6  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
         
Chapter 4  
Common Configuration Questions  
1
2
1
SO-DIMM Module  
2
SO-DIMM Socket  
Figure 4-3. Installing a SO-DIMM in an NI PXI-8184/8185 Controller  
(NI PXI-8185 Shown)  
How do I flash a new BIOS?  
You need to download the new BIOS from ni.com/support/  
pxisupp.htm. To download the new BIOS, follow the instructions  
on the Web site.  
Where do I get the latest software drivers?  
You can download the latest drivers from ni.com/support/  
pxisupp.htm.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
4-7  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
       
Chapter 4  
Common Configuration Questions  
My NI PXI-8184/8185 does not have an internal floppy drive. Is there  
a way to use an external drive?  
Yes. The NI PXI-8184/8185 controllers support and can boot from  
USB floppy drives. A USB floppy drive will not work with  
Windows NT 4.0, but will work with Windows XP. Refer to the Boot  
A USB floppy drive is available from National Instruments, part number  
778492-02.  
The LPT port on the NI PXI-8184/8185 also can be configured through the  
BIOS setup for floppy signals instead of LPT signals. Refer to Chapter 3,  
I/O Information, for the floppy drive pinout.  
PXI Configuration  
How do I use the SMB trigger on the front panel?  
For details, refer to the PXI Features section of Chapter 2, Installation and  
Configuration.  
Why doesn’t the NI PXI-8184/8185 work with the PXI-8220?  
A serialized IRQ conflict with the PXI-8220 and the NI PXI-8184/8185  
prevents PC cards using ISA interrupts from working with the  
NI PXI-8184/8185 controllers. The PXI-8221 is designed to work with  
the NI PXI-8184/8185 and should be used instead.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
4-8  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
         
5
Troubleshooting  
This chapter answers common troubleshooting questions you may have  
when using the NI PXI-8184/8185 embedded computer.  
What if the NI PXI-8184/8185 does not boot?  
Several problems can cause a controller not to boot. Here are some things  
to look for and possible solutions.  
Things to Notice  
Which LEDs come on? The Power OK LED should stay lit.  
The Drive LED should blink during boot as the disk is accessed.  
What appears on the display? Does it hang at some particular point  
(BIOS, Operating System, and so on)? If nothing appears on the  
screen, try a different monitor. Does your monitor work with a  
different PC? If it hangs, note the last screen output that you saw for  
reference when consulting National Instruments technical support.  
What has changed about the system? Did you recently move the  
system? Was there electrical storm activity? Did you recently add  
a new module, memory chip, or piece of software?  
Things to Try  
Make sure the chassis is plugged in to a working power source.  
Check any fuses or circuit breakers in the chassis or other power  
supply (possibly a UPS).  
Make sure the controller module is firmly seated in the chassis.  
Remove all other modules from the chassis.  
Try the controller in a different chassis.  
Try a similar controller in this same chassis.  
Recover the hard drive on the controller.  
Clear the CMOS. (Refer to the System CMOS section of Chapter 2,  
Installation and Configuration.)  
© National Instruments Corporation  
5-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
           
Chapter 5  
Troubleshooting  
My controller boots fine until I get to Windows, at which point I cannot  
read the screen. This may include garbled output, white screen, black  
screen, or an out of sync message from the monitor.  
This problem usually results from having the video card output set past the  
limits of the monitor. You will need to boot Windows in Safe Mode. To do  
this, reboot the controller. As Windows begins to boot, hold down <F8>.  
You should now be able to reset the video driver to lower settings. Try  
setting the resolution to 640 × 480 and the refresh rate to 60 Hz. Once you  
reboot, you can raise these values again, using the test option in Windows.  
These settings are accessible through the Advanced tab of the Display item  
in the Control Panel. Alternately, you can try a different monitor,  
preferably a newer and larger one.  
My system boots fine as long as a particular module is not in my  
chassis.  
The most common cause of this is a damaged module. Try the module in a  
different chassis or with a different controller. Also, remove any external  
cables or terminal blocks connected to the system. If the module does not  
work in these cases, it is likely damaged. Contact the module manufacturer  
for further troubleshooting.  
Refer to the KnowledgeBase or product manuals section of ni.comfor  
more information specific to the chassis and controller with which you are  
having difficulties.  
My CMOS is corrupted. How do I set it back to default?  
1. Enter the BIOS setup program as described in the Entering BIOS Setup  
section of Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration.  
2. Press <F9> to load BIOS defaults.  
3. Answer Y (Yes) to the verification prompt.  
4. Select Save and Exit Setup.  
As an alternative method, follow the steps listed in the System CMOS  
section of Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration, to clear the CMOS.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
5-2  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
A
Specifications  
This appendix lists the electrical, mechanical, and environmental  
specifications of the NI PXI-8184/8185 embedded computers.  
NI PXI-8185  
Electrical  
Current (A)  
Voltage (V)  
+3.3  
Typical  
3.0 A  
3.5 A  
0.01 A  
0 A  
Maximum  
4 A  
+5  
5 A  
+12  
0.04 A  
0 A  
–12  
Physical  
Board dimensions................................... PXI 3U-size module  
8.1 × 13 × 21.6 cm  
(3.2 × 5.1 × 8.5 in.)  
Slot requirements ................................... One system slot plus three  
controller expansion slots  
Compatibility ......................................... Fully compatible with PXI  
specification  
MTBF..................................................... 180,000 h  
Weight.................................................... 1.02 Kg (2.26 lb) typical  
© National Instruments Corporation  
A-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
         
Appendix A  
Specifications  
Operating Environment  
Ambient temperature range  
Chassis  
PXI-1000B  
PXI-1002  
PXI-1006  
PXI-1010  
PXI-1011  
PXI-1042  
PXI-1045  
NI PXI-8185  
5–50 °C  
5–40 °C  
5–50 °C  
5–35 °C  
5–50 °C  
5–50 °C  
5–55 °C  
(Tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-1 and IEC-60068-2-2.)  
Relative humidity range..........................10% to 90%, noncondensing  
(Tested in accordance with  
IEC-60068-2-56.)  
Altitude ...................................................2,000 m (at 25 °C ambient  
temperature)  
Pollution Degree.....................................2  
For indoor or enclosed area use only.  
Caution Clean the PXI-8185 with a soft nonmetallic brush. Make sure that the device is  
completely dry and free from contaminants before returning it to service.  
Storage Environment  
Ambient temperature range ....................–20 to 65 °C (Tested in  
accordance with IEC-60068-2-1  
and IEC-60068-2-2.)  
Relative humidity range..........................5% to 95% noncondensing  
(Tested in accordance with  
IEC-60068-2-56.)  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
A-2  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
Appendix A  
Specifications  
Shock and Vibration  
Operational shock .................................. 30 g peak, half-sine, 11 ms pulse  
(Tested in accordance with  
IEC-60068-2-27. Test profile  
developed in accordance with  
MIL-PRF-28800F.)  
Random vibration  
Operating ........................................ 5 to 500 Hz, 0.3 grms  
(with solid-state hard drive)  
Nonoperating .................................. 5 to 500 Hz, 2.4 grms  
(Tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-64. Nonoperating test  
profile exceeds the requirements of MIL-PRF-28800F, Class B.)  
Note For EMC compliance, operate this device with shielded cabling. In addition, all  
covers and filler panels must be installed. Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC)  
for this product for any additional regulatory compliance information. To obtain the DoC  
for this product, visit ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line,  
and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.  
Safety  
This product is designed to meet the requirements of the following  
standards of safety for electrical equipment for measurement, control,  
and laboratory use:  
IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1  
UL 61010-1  
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1  
Note For UL and other safety certifications, refer to the product label or visit  
ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line, and click the  
appropriate link in the Certification column.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
A-3  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
Appendix A  
Specifications  
Electromagnetic Compatibility  
Emissions................................................EN 55011 Class A at 10 m  
FCC Part 15A above 1 GHz  
Immunity ................................................EN 61326:1997 + A2:2001,  
Table 1  
CE, C-Tick, and FCC Part 15 (Class A) Compliant  
Note For EMC compliance, operate this device with shielded cabling.  
CE Compliance  
This product meets the essential requirements of applicable European  
Directives, as amended for CE marking, as follows:  
Low-Voltage Directive (safety)..............73/23/EEC  
Electromagnetic Compatibility  
Directive (EMC).....................................89/336/EEC  
Note Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional  
regulatory compliance information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit  
ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line, and click the  
appropriate link in the Certification column.  
NI PXI-8184  
Electrical  
Current (A)  
Voltage (V)  
+3.3  
Typical  
Maximum  
4 A  
3.0 A  
4.5 A  
0.01 A  
0 A  
+5  
6 A  
+12  
0.04 A  
0 A  
–12  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
A-4  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
       
Appendix A  
Specifications  
Physical  
Board dimensions................................... PXI 3U-size module  
6.1 × 13 × 21.6 cm  
(2.4 × 5.1 × 8.5 in.)  
Slot requirements ................................... One system slot plus  
two controller expansion slots  
Compatibility ......................................... Fully compatible with  
PXI specification  
MTBF..................................................... 226,000 h  
Weight.................................................... 0.64 Kg (1.41 lb) typical  
Operating Environment  
Ambient temperature range  
Chassis  
PXI-1000B  
PXI-1002  
PXI-1006  
PXI-1010  
PXI-1011  
PXI-1042  
PXI-1045  
NI PXI-8184  
5–50 °C  
5–40 °C  
5–50 °C  
5–35 °C  
5–50 °C  
5–50 °C  
5–55 °C  
(Tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-1 and IEC-60068-2-2.)  
Relative humidity range......................... 10% to 90%, noncondensing  
(Tested in accordance with  
IEC-60068-2-56.)  
Altitude................................................... 2,000 m (at 25 °C ambient  
temperature)  
Pollution Degree .................................... 2  
For indoor or enclosed area use only.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
A-5  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
Appendix A  
Specifications  
Caution Clean the PXI-8184 with a soft nonmetallic brush. Make sure that the device is  
completely dry and free from contaminants before returning it to service.  
Storage Environment  
Ambient temperature range ....................–20 to 65 °C (Tested in  
accordance with IEC-60068-2-1  
and IEC-60068-2-2.)  
Relative humidity range..........................5% to 95% noncondensing  
(Tested in accordance with  
IEC-60068-2-56.)  
Shock and Vibration  
Operational shock...................................30 g peak, half-sine, 11 ms pulse  
(Tested in accordance with  
IEC-60068-2-27. Test profile  
developed in accordance with  
MIL-PRF-28800F.)  
Random vibration  
Operating.........................................5 to 500 Hz, 0.3 grms  
(with solid-state hard drive)  
Nonoperating...................................5 to 500 Hz, 2.4 grms  
(Tested in accordance with IEC-60068-2-64. Nonoperating test  
profile exceeds the requirements of MIL-PRF-28800F, Class B.)  
Note For EMC compliance, operate this device with shielded cabling. In addition, all  
covers and filler panels must be installed. Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC)  
for this product for any additional regulatory compliance information. To obtain the DoC  
for this product, visit ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line,  
and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.  
Safety  
This product is designed to meet the requirements of the following  
standards of safety for electrical equipment for measurement, control,  
and laboratory use:  
IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1  
UL 61010-1  
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
A-6  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
     
Appendix A  
Specifications  
Note For UL and other safety certifications, refer to the product label or visit  
ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line, and click the  
appropriate link in the Certification column.  
Electromagnetic Compatibility  
Emissions ............................................... EN 55011 Class A at 10 m  
FCC Part 15A above 1 GHz  
Immunity................................................ EN 61326:1997 + A2:2001,  
Table 1  
CE, C-Tick, and FCC Part 15 (Class A) Compliant  
Note For EMC compliance, operate this device with shielded cabling.  
CE Compliance  
This product meets the essential requirements of applicable European  
Directives, as amended for CE marking, as follows:  
Low-Voltage Directive (safety) ............. 73/23/EEC  
Electromagnetic Compatibility  
Directive (EMC) .................................... 89/336/EEC  
Note Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional  
regulatory compliance information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit  
ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line, and click the  
appropriate link in the Certification column.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
A-7  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
B
Technical Support and  
Professional Services  
Visit the following sections of the National Instruments Web site at  
ni.comfor technical support and professional services:  
Support—Online technical support resources at ni.com/support  
include the following:  
Self-Help Resources—For immediate answers and solutions,  
visit the award-winning National Instruments Web site for  
software drivers and updates, a searchable KnowledgeBase,  
product manuals, step-by-step troubleshooting wizards, thousands  
of example programs, tutorials, application notes, instrument  
drivers, and so on.  
Free Technical Support—All registered users receive free Basic  
Service, which includes access to hundreds of Application  
Engineers worldwide in the NI Developer Exchange at  
ni.com/exchange. National Instruments Application Engineers  
make sure every question receives an answer.  
Training and Certification—Visit ni.com/trainingfor  
self-paced training, eLearning virtual classrooms, interactive CDs,  
and Certification program information. You also can register for  
instructor-led, hands-on courses at locations around the world.  
System Integration—If you have time constraints, limited in-house  
technical resources, or other project challenges, National Instruments  
Alliance Partner members can help. To learn more, call your local  
NI office or visit ni.com/alliance.  
Declaration of Conformity (DoC)—A DoC is our claim of  
compliance with the Council of the European Communities using  
the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. This system affords  
the user protection for electronic compatibility (EMC) and product  
safety. You can obtain the DoC for your product by visiting  
ni.com/certification.  
Calibration Certificate—If your product supports calibration,  
you can obtain the calibration certificate for your product at  
ni.com/calibration.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
B-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
                       
Appendix B  
Technical Support and Professional Services  
If you searched ni.comand could not find the answers you need, contact  
your local office or NI corporate headquarters. Phone numbers for our  
worldwide offices are listed at the front of this manual. You also can visit  
the Worldwide Offices section of ni.com/niglobalto access the branch  
office Web sites, which provide up-to-date contact information, support  
phone numbers, email addresses, and current events.  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
B-2  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Symbol  
Prefix  
nano  
micro  
milli  
kilo  
Value  
10–9  
10– 6  
10–3  
103  
n
µ
m
k
M
G
T
mega  
giga  
106  
109  
tera  
1012  
Symbols  
°
Degrees  
Ohms  
%
Percent  
A
A
Amperes  
AC  
ASIC  
Alternating Current  
Application-specific integrated circuit  
B
B
Bytes  
backplane  
An assembly, typically a printed circuit board, with connectors and signal  
paths that bus the connector pins  
© National Instruments Corporation  
G-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
 
Glossary  
BIOS  
Basic Input/Output System. BIOS functions are the fundamental level of  
any PC or compatible computer. BIOS functions embody the basic  
operations needed for successful use of the computer’s hardware resources.  
C
C
Celsius  
cache  
Small portion of high-speed memory used for temporary storage of  
frequently used data  
CMOS  
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor; a process used in making  
chips  
CompactPCI  
An adaptation of the PCI specification for industrial and/or embedded  
applications that require a more robust mechanical form factor than desktop  
PCI. CompactPCI provides a standard form factor for those applications  
requiring the high performance of PCI as well as the small size and  
ruggedness of a rack-mount system.  
D
DC  
Direct Current  
DIMM  
DMA  
Dual In-line Memory Module  
Direct Memory Access; a method by which data is transferred between  
devices and internal memory without intervention of the central processing  
unit  
DRAM  
Dynamic RAM (Random Access Memory); storage that the computer must  
refresh at frequent intervals  
E
ECP  
Extended Capabilities Parallel  
EDO  
EEPROM  
Extended Data Out  
Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
G-2  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
embedded controller  
An intelligent CPU (controller) interface plugged directly into the PXI  
backplane, giving it direct access to the PXI bus. It must have all of its  
required PXI interface capabilities built in.  
EMC  
Electromagnetic Compatibility  
Electromagnetic interference  
Enhanced Parallel Port  
EMI  
EPP  
expansion ROM  
An onboard EEPROM that may contain device-specific initialization and  
system boot functionality  
F
FCC  
Federal Communications Commission  
G
g
1. Grams  
2
2. A measure of acceleration equal to 9.8 m/s  
GPIB  
grms  
General Purpose Interface Bus (IEEE 488)  
A measure of random vibration. The root mean square of acceleration  
levels in a random vibration test profile.  
H
Hz  
Hertz; cycles per second  
I
I/O  
Input/output; the techniques, media, and devices used to achieve  
communication between machines and users  
IDE  
IEEE  
in.  
Integrated Drive Electronics; hard disk and built-in controller  
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers  
Inches  
© National Instruments Corporation  
G-3  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
 
Glossary  
instrument driver  
A set of routines designed to control a specific instrument or family of  
instruments, and any necessary related files for LabWindows/CVI or  
LabVIEW  
interrupt  
interrupt level  
IRQ*  
A means for a device to request service from another device  
The relative priority at which a device can interrupt  
Interrupt signal  
ISA  
Industry Standard Architecture; the original PC bus architecture,  
specifically the 16-bit AT bus  
K
KB  
Kilobytes of memory  
L
LAN  
Local Area Network; communications network that serves users within  
a confined geographical area. It is made up of servers, workstations, a  
network operating system, and a communications link.  
LED  
Light-emitting diode  
M
m
Meters  
master  
A functional part of a PXI device that initiates data transfers on the PXI  
backplane. A transfer can be either a read or a write.  
MB  
Megabytes of memory  
Mean time between failure  
Mean time to repair  
MTBF  
MTTR  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
G-4  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
N
NI-488 or NI-488.2  
The National Instruments software for GPIB systems  
NI-DAQ  
The National Instruments software for data acquisition instruments  
The National Instruments implementation of the VISA standard; an  
NI-VISA  
interface-independent software that provides a unified programming  
interface for VXI, GPIB, and serial instruments  
NMI  
Non-maskable interrupt; high-priority interrupt that cannot be disabled by  
another interrupt. It is used to report malfunctions such as parity, bus and  
math coprocessor errors.  
P
PCI  
Peripheral Component Interconnect. The PCI bus is a high-performance  
32-bit or 64-bit bus with multiplexed address and data lines.  
PCMCIA  
peripheral  
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association  
Any hardware device connected to a computer, such as a monitor,  
keyboard, printer, plotter, disk or tape drive, graphics tablet, scanner,  
mouse, and so on  
POST  
PXI  
Power On Self Test  
PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation; an open implementation of  
CompactPCI that adds electrical features that meet the high-performance  
requirements of instrumentation applications by providing triggering, local  
buses, and system clock capabilities. PXI also offers two-way  
interoperability with CompactPCI products.  
R
RAM  
Random Access Memory; the computer’s primary workspace  
RAMDAC  
Random Access Memory Digital to Analog Converter; the VGA controller  
chip that maintains the color palette and converts data from memory into  
analog signals for the monitor  
© National Instruments Corporation  
G-5  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
resource  
Hardware settings used by devices in a computer system, including ISA  
interrupt level, DMA channel, and I/O address  
RMS  
RTC  
Root mean squared. See also grms.  
Real Time Clock; an electronic circuit that maintains the time of day,  
and also can provide timing signals for timesharing operations  
S
s
Seconds  
slave  
A functional part of a PXI device that detects data transfer cycles initiated  
by a PXI bus master and responds to the transfers when the address  
specifies one of the device’s registers  
SO-DIMM  
SRAM  
Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module  
Static RAM; a memory chip that requires power to hold its content. It does  
not require refresh circuitry as a dynamic RAM chip, but it does take up  
more space and uses more power.  
ST  
Start Trigger  
Star Trigger Slot  
This slot is located at Slot 2 in a PXI mainframe and has a dedicated trigger  
line between each peripheral slot. This slot would be used for a module  
with ST functionality that can provide individual triggers to all other  
peripherals.  
U
USB  
Universal Serial Bus  
V
V
Volts  
VGA  
Video Graphics Array; the minimum video display standard for all PCs  
W
W
Watts  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
G-6  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
general questions, 4-1  
operating system, 4-4  
PXI configuration, 4-8  
A
Advanced Setup menu, 2-6  
upgrade information, 4-6  
configuration, common questions  
boot options, 4-2  
B
BIOS  
checking settings, 4-1  
flashing new BIOS, 4-7  
setup  
chassis configuration, 4-4  
driver installation, 4-4  
Advanced Setup menu, 2-6  
Boot Setup menu, 2-10  
DMI Event Logging menu, 2-6  
entering, 2-4  
Exiting BIOS Setup menu, 2-10  
Integrated Peripherals menu, 2-7  
LabVIEW RT Setup menu, 2-8  
Main Setup menu, 2-5  
signals, 3-4  
Ethernet connector and signals, 3-5  
parallel port connector and signals, 3-6  
peripheral expansion overview (table), 3-1  
PS/2 connector and signals, 3-9  
PXI Setup menu, 2-8  
C
calibration certificate (NI resources), B-1  
CD-ROM drive, installing software from, 4-4  
chip set north bridge, 1-4  
data storage, 3-11  
chip set south bridge, 1-4  
Declaration of Conformity (NI resources), B-1  
diagnostic tools (NI resources), B-1  
directories and files installed on hard drive, 2-14  
DMI Event Logging menu, 2-6  
documentation  
how to use this documentation set, vii  
NI resources, B-1  
DRIVE LED, 3-10  
CMOS, setting back to default, 5-2  
COM1 and COM2 connectors  
connector locations and pinout (figure), 3-4  
connector signals (table), 3-5  
common configuration questions  
boot options, 4-2  
cables and connections, 4-3  
chassis configuration, 4-4  
driver installation, 4-4  
© National Instruments Corporation  
I-1  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
 
Index  
drivers, 2-14  
installation  
installation, video, 4-4  
configuration in MAX (figure), 4-5  
(caution), 2-2  
E
Ethernet, connector  
location and pinout (figure), 3-5  
signals (table), 3-6  
removing NI PXI-8184/8185 from PXI  
chassis, 2-4  
removing protective screw caps  
(figure), 2-2  
F
drive, 2-14  
keyboard and mouse  
floppy drive, using external floppy drive, 4-8  
front panel  
logic block, 1-4  
overview (table), 3-1  
connectors, 3-1  
dimensions, 3-2  
H
LabVIEW, 1-5  
hard drive, 3-11  
switches, 2-12, 2-14  
files and directories installed on, 2-14  
recovery, 2-17  
LabVIEW RT Setup menu, 2-8  
LabWindows/CVI, 1-5  
LPT cable, connecting to NI  
PXI-8184/8185, 4-3  
help  
I
IDE controller, using SCSI hard drive in  
addition, 4-1  
M
IDE logic block, 1-4  
images directory, 2-14  
Main Setup menu, 2-5  
manuals directory, 2-14  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
I-2  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
mating connector  
COM1 and COM2, 3-4  
data storage, 3-11  
front panel  
features, 3-10  
parallel port, 3-6  
LEDs, 4-1  
USB, 3-8  
VGA, 3-3  
system reset pushbutton, 3-10  
front panel dimensions, 3-2  
functional overview, 1-2  
hard drive recovery, 2-17  
installing in a PXI chassis, 2-1  
mouse, plugging PS/2 mouse and keyboard  
logic blocks, 1-4  
(table), 3-1  
PXI trigger connectivity, 2-15  
removing from a PXI chassis, 2-4  
software, 1-4  
N
services, B-1  
NI PXI-8184, 1-2  
specifications  
CE compliance, A-7  
electrical, A-4  
electromagnetic compatibility, A-7  
operating environment, A-5  
physical, A-5  
specifications, A-1  
troubleshooting, 5-1  
upgrading RAM, 2-15, 4-6  
using external floppy drive with, 4-8  
using with chassis, 4-4  
safety, A-6  
shock and vibration, A-6  
storage environment, A-6  
NI PXI-8184/8185  
NI PXI-8185, 1-2  
specifications  
CE compliance, A-4  
BIOS setup, 2-4  
electrical, A-1  
electromagnetic compatibility, A-4  
operating environment, A-2  
physical, A-1  
safety, A-3  
shock and vibration, A-3  
storage environment, A-2  
signals, 3-4  
signals, 3-6  
PS/2 connector and signals, 3-9  
trigger connector and signals, 3-10  
VGA connector and signals  
(table), 3-3  
NI support and services, B-1  
NI-DAQ function library, 1-4  
NI-VISA high-level programming API, 1-5  
VGA connectors and signals, 3-3  
© National Instruments Corporation  
I-3  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
O
S
os directory, 2-14  
OS installation  
Security Setup menu, 2-9  
serial ports, 3-1  
from CD-ROM, 2-17  
slot 1 CPU, 1-4  
SO-DIMM logic block, 1-4  
SO-DIMMs  
P
(note), 2-16, 4-6  
parallel port  
installing, 2-15, 4-6  
(figure), 2-16, 4-7  
See also drivers  
PCI bus, standard for desktop computer  
designs, 1-1  
POWER OK LED, 3-10  
programming examples (NI resources), B-1  
PS/2  
installed on your hard drive, 2-14  
installing from CD-ROM, 4-4  
LabVIEW, 1-5  
National Instruments software, 1-4  
NI-DAQ, 1-4  
NI-VISA, 1-5  
software (NI resources), B-1  
NI PXI-8184, A-4  
NI PXI-8185, A-1  
super I/O logic block, 1-4  
support  
technical, B-1  
switches  
LabVIEW RT configuration, 2-12  
system CMOS, 2-11  
controller, 4-3  
PXI benefits, 1-1  
PXI connectors, function (logic block), 1-4  
PXI features, 2-15  
PXI Setup menu, 2-8  
PXI trigger connectivity, 2-15  
pxisys.ini file, 4-4  
R
technical support, B-1  
RAM  
training and certification (NI resources), B-1  
trigger, 3-10, 4-8  
SO-DIMMs from National Instruments  
connector location and pinout  
(figure), 3-10  
connector signals (table), 3-10  
upgrading, 2-15, 4-6  
related documentation, viii  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
I-4  
ni.com  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
troubleshooting  
CMOS reset, 5-2  
controller does not boot, 5-1  
damaged module, 5-2  
troubleshooting (NI resources), B-1  
Y-splitter cable  
figure, 4-3  
obtaining replacement, 4-3  
U
using mouse and keyboard without, 4-3  
using with PS/2 mouse and keyboard, 2-3,  
3-9  
Universal Serial Bus (USB)  
connector function, 1-4  
connector location and pinout  
(figure), 3-8  
V
VGA  
connector signals (table), 3-3  
location and pinout (figure), 3-3  
overview (table), 3-1  
video, 3-1  
See also VGA  
driver installation, 4-4  
© National Instruments Corporation  
I-5  
NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  

Miele Oven H 4688 B User Manual
Multiquip Oxygen Equipment C 30HD User Manual
Olympus Camera Lens ED150mm f20 User Manual
Optimus Portable CD Player CD 3327 User Manual
Palsonic Portable DVD Player DVD2040 User Manual
Panasonic Answering Machine KX TG9471B User Manual
Panasonic Battery Charger EY0L80 U1 User Manual
Panasonic Fax Machine KX FPC96 User Manual
Panasonic Fax Machine KX PW504E2 User Manual
Panasonic Vacuum Cleaner MC E8015 User Manual