Four-core controller

National Instruments has introduced the NI PXI-8110 embedded controller, which is said to be the industry’s first 3U quad-core embedded controller for PXI systems.

Featuring a 2.26 GHz Core 2 Quad processor Q9100, up to 4 GB 800 MHz DDR2 RAM and a 7200 rpm drive, it is also claimed to be the industry’s fastest embedded controller in the 3U PXI class. It provides an up to 80% performance improvement over dual-core controllers with similar CPU clock frequencies for applications that are optimised to use the controller’s four processing cores.

Because the controller features a platform on which an application can distribute processing loads across four CPU cores simultaneously, it can reduce test times for applications that require intensive signal and data processing such as RF protocol testing and hardware-in-the-loop simulations. These applications can also replicate specific tests or processes to run on separate CPU cores and effectively double system throughput.

The controller is also available in a version that supports the LabVIEW Real-Time and LabWindows/CVI Real-Time modules.