Can I use Intel 815EP AGP 4X Pentium and plug in 5 Nos NI 6002 PCI counter Timer cards, instead of going for expensive PXI based solution? Hope there will be no degradation in performance - when used for constructing an Energy Meter test Bench.

Question

I was recommended to buy NI 6002 with PXI series, 5 Nos cards($875x 5 nos), and additionally a PXI rack costing about $ 2195 + some min--- card to interface with the computer costing another $ 875. Compare this with $ 675 x 5 Nos for 5 Nos PCI based NI 6002 + some cablesa nd connectors for synchronisation.
First option is extremely expensive. But NI marketin manager will be glad that he sold more harware. But I want the truth. Why can't Intel 815 Pentium board be used?

Answer 1

I am addressing the question if using PCI-6602s instead of using PXI-6602s will affect the performance, and the answer is NO. 6602 counter/timer devices comes in two different form factors, PXI/Compac PCI and PCI. The accuracy and performance is the same for both the PXI and PCI 6602s. However, using PXI solution will allow users an easier time with synchronization since that is the provided in the backplane of the PXI chassis. Additionally, if you ever need a higher accuracy solution you can add the 6608 device which has 75 parts per billion ppb vs 50 ppm of the 6602 devices. With 6608 plugged in the second slot of the PXI chassis (the one next to the controller), the high accuracy timebase is automatically shared acrossed the backplane of the PXI chassis which mean
s that other 6602 devices in the chassis will share the same accuracy of the 6608. If the difference in the accuracy is not a concern and you are currently not ready to invest in the PXI platform, then you can go with the PCI 6602 devices.
Best Regards,
June Zhu
National Instruments
Digital and Timing Product Support Engineer