NI MXI-Express (MXIe) Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

NI MXI-Express (MXIe) Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The National Instruments MXI-Express (MXIe) interface series is the industry-standard solution for PC-based control of PXI and PXI Express chassis in high-demand industrial environments. Deployed across chemical processing plants, nuclear power facilities, petroleum refineries, semiconductor fabrication lines, and defense test systems, MXIe links host PCs to PXI chassis via PCI Express (PCIe) at bandwidths up to 3.2 GB/s — eliminating the throughput ceiling of legacy MXI-4 (GPIB/PCI) architectures. The series supports multi-chassis daisy-chaining, enabling distributed measurement and control topologies that span entire plant floors. Its deterministic latency and hardware-timed synchronization make it the preferred backbone for real-time data acquisition, high-channel-count I/O, and RF/microwave test in safety-critical installations.

The Evolution of MXI-Express Architecture

National Instruments introduced the MXI (Multisystem eXtension Interface) bus in the early 1990s as a means to extend VXI backplane communication to remote host controllers. MXI-2 (1994) used coaxial cable at 33 MB/s; MXI-4 (2001) adopted PCI bus signaling at 132 MB/s over copper or fiber. The architectural inflection point arrived with MXI-Express (MXIe), introduced circa 2006, which replaced parallel PCI with serial PCIe Gen 1 x4 lanes, delivering 1 GB/s per direction and full compatibility with PXI Express (PXIe) chassis slots.

Subsequent generations expanded lane width and host interface options: x1 variants (PCIE-8360) for cost-sensitive deployments, x4 variants (PCIE-8361, PCIE-8362) for standard throughput, and x8 variants (PCIE-8374) for multi-chassis high-bandwidth applications. ExpressCard host adapters (EXPC-8360, EXPC-8361) extended MXIe to laptop and ruggedized mobile platforms. The series reached maturity by 2015; NI has since transitioned new designs toward PCIe Gen 3 and Thunderbolt-based chassis interfaces, placing the MXIe product line in a sustained-availability / long-term-support phase. Installed base in legacy PXI-1042, PXI-1045, PXIe-1062Q, and PXIe-1075 chassis remains extensive, driving continued demand for replacement and spare units.

MXI-Express Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Host Interface Cards (PCIe — Desktop/Server)

• PCIE-8360: PCIe x1 MXIe host card; single-chassis link; entry-level bandwidth for PXI/PXIe chassis.
• PCIE-8361: PCIe x4 MXIe host card; 1 GB/s bidirectional; standard single-chassis controller interface.
• PCIE-8362: PCIe x4 MXIe host card with extended temperature range; industrial/ruggedized environments.
• PCIE-8370: PCIe x8 MXIe host card; high-bandwidth multi-chassis daisy-chain root node.
• PCIE-8374: PCIe x8 MXIe host card; up to 3.2 GB/s; supports up to 8 daisy-chained PXIe chassis.
• PCIE-8375: PCIe x8 MXIe host card with fiber-optic cable support; long-distance chassis extension.

Host Interface Cards (ExpressCard — Laptop/Mobile)

• EXPC-8360: ExpressCard/34 MXIe adapter; x1 lane; laptop-to-PXI chassis interface.
• EXPC-8361: ExpressCard/54 MXIe adapter; x4 lane; higher throughput mobile host interface.

Chassis Interface Modules (PXI/PXIe Chassis-Side)

• PXI-8360: PXI chassis-side MXIe interface module; pairs with PCIE-8360/EXPC-8360 host cards.
• PXI-8361: PXI chassis-side MXIe interface module; x4 lane; pairs with PCIE-8361 host card.
• PXIe-8360: PXI Express chassis-side MXIe module; x1 system slot; low-cost chassis link.
• PXIe-8361: PXI Express chassis-side MXIe module; x4 system slot; standard bandwidth chassis node.
• PXIe-8362: PXI Express chassis-side MXIe module; x4; extended temperature; pairs with PCIE-8362.
• PXIe-8370: PXI Express chassis-side MXIe module; x8 system slot; high-bandwidth node for large chassis.
• PXIe-8374: PXI Express chassis-side MXIe module; x8; daisy-chain capable; multi-chassis topologies.
• PXIe-8375: PXI Express chassis-side MXIe module; x8 fiber; pairs with PCIE-8375 for remote installations.

Cable Accessories (Integral to MXIe System)

• SHC68-C68-PCIX: Standard copper MXIe cable; 1 m; connects host card to chassis module.
• SHC68-C68-PCIX2: Standard copper MXIe cable; 2 m; extended reach between host and chassis.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete MXI-Express Parts

NI has transitioned several MXIe SKUs to a discontinued or last-time-buy status as the PXI platform evolves toward PCIe Gen 3 and Thunderbolt chassis controllers. However, the installed base of MXIe-linked PXI and PXIe chassis in operational plants and test facilities remains substantial, and replacement units are required for system maintenance without full platform migration.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of MXIe host cards and chassis modules, including discontinued variants such as the PCIE-8361, PXI-8361, and EXPC-8361. All units are sourced from verified industrial decommissions and authorized distribution channels. DriveKNMS provides lifecycle extension support — including cross-reference matching, compatibility verification against specific chassis models (PXI-1042, PXI-1045, PXIe-1062Q, PXIe-1075, PXIe-1082), and documentation of firmware revision requirements — to ensure drop-in replacement without system reconfiguration.

For end-of-life procurement planning, DriveKNMS can supply multi-unit buffer stock to cover planned maintenance windows and unplanned failures across multi-site installations.

Quality Control for the MXI-Express Range

MXIe modules present specific test challenges due to their role as the physical and logical bridge between the host PC PCIe bus and the PXI/PXIe chassis backplane. DriveKNMS applies a structured validation protocol to all MXIe units prior to shipment:

• PCIe Enumeration Test: Each host card is installed in a reference desktop system and verified to enumerate correctly in the OS device manager at the correct lane width (x1, x4, or x8) and PCIe generation.
• NI-MXI Driver Handshake: The host card and chassis module pair are connected and tested under NI-MXI software to confirm successful chassis discovery, slot mapping, and bandwidth negotiation.
• Backplane Communication Integrity: Loopback and register-read tests are executed across all chassis backplane segments to verify signal integrity on the MXIe link under sustained data transfer.
• Thermal Stress Screening: Units are operated at elevated ambient temperature for a minimum burn-in period to screen for latent component failures common in aged PCB assemblies.
• Physical Inspection: PCIe edge connector, cable connector, and board surface are inspected for oxidation, mechanical damage, and capacitor condition before packaging.