Description
Product Overview
The NI PXIe-8135 Embedded Controller is a 3U PXI Express computer designed to serve as the host controller for modular test and measurement systems. It uses an Intel Core i7-3610QE quad-core processor with a 2.3 GHz base frequency and up to 3.3 GHz single-core Turbo frequency. Installed in a compatible PXI Express chassis, it runs the operating system, test sequences, instrument drivers, and data-processing applications required by automated test equipment (ATE), laboratory instrumentation, and production validation systems.
The controller provides two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, an RS-232 serial port, a parallel port, GPIB instrumentation connectivity, and DisplayPort video outputs. The documented memory configuration starts at 4 GB of DDR3 memory, with capacity depending on the specific memory-channel arrangement. Storage is provided through an integrated SATA hard drive in applicable configurations. The NI PXIe-8135 supports PXI Express backplane communication, with link configuration and available bandwidth dependent on the hardware variant.
For maintenance teams, replacing the NI PXIe-8135 involves more than confirming that the controller fits a 3U slot. The operating system, installed drivers, LabVIEW or TestStand versions, GPIB configuration, storage image, and instrument communication settings can all affect system recovery. NI lists the PXIe-8135 as no longer available for purchase and identifies 785831-01 as a recommended replacement. That recommendation should be treated as a starting point for migration planning, not proof that an existing test application will run unchanged. Validate hardware interfaces and software dependencies before committing to a replacement.
Product Introduction (Non-Templated)
A PXI test rack can lose more than its processor when a controller fails: instrument drivers, operating-system dependencies, GPIB addressing, and test-sequence configuration may also be tied to the original installation. The PXIe-8135 combines quad-core processing with the interfaces commonly used in established automated test systems.
Before replacing it, record the controller’s part number, installed operating system, memory configuration, and storage contents. A replacement that boots successfully is not necessarily ready to run the existing test sequence.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Model | PXIe-8135 |
| Manufacturer / Brand | National Instruments (NI) |
| Product Type | Embedded PXI Express controller |
| Form Factor | 3U PXI Express |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-3610QE |
| CPU Base Frequency | 2.3 GHz |
| Maximum Single-Core Turbo Frequency | 3.3 GHz |
| Processor Cores | 4 |
| Standard Memory | 4 GB DDR3, configuration dependent |
| Maximum Memory | Up to 16 GB dual-channel; up to 8 GB single-channel |
| Storage | Integrated SATA hard drive; 250 GB or larger in documented configuration |
| Ethernet | 2 × 10/100/1000BASE-TX |
| USB | 2 × USB 3.0; 4 × USB 2.0 |
| Serial Interface | 1 × RS-232 |
| GPIB | IEEE 488 controller |
| Parallel Interface | 1 × IEEE 1284-compatible parallel port |
| Display | 2 × DisplayPort video outputs |
| PXI Express Link Configuration | Four x4 links or two x8 links, depending on configuration |
| Operating System | Configuration dependent; variants include Windows and real-time operating-system options |
| Chassis Compatibility | Compatible PXI Express chassis |
| Operating Temperature | Verify against the applicable manual and installed configuration |
| Product Lifecycle | Discontinued; NI lists limited support status |
| Recommended Replacement | NI 785831-01, subject to application validation |
Specifications reflect NI documentation; memory, storage, operating system, and link configuration vary by part number. Confirm the exact ordering code and installed configuration before procurement.
PXIE-8135
Related Products
- 785831-01 — Replacement controller recommended by NI for the PXIe-8135; validate software and peripheral compatibility before migration.
- PXIe-1085 — PXI Express chassis referenced in NI documentation as a compatible system platform.
- PXIe-8133 — Earlier-generation NI PXI Express embedded controller; compare processor performance, interfaces, and software support before considering it for an existing system.
- PXIe-1075 — PXI Express chassis option for modular instrumentation systems; confirm slot and backplane requirements.
- PXI GPIB Interface — Relevant when a test rack communicates with legacy GPIB instruments; confirm whether the existing controller’s built-in GPIB connection meets the application’s requirements.
- PXI Express Data Acquisition Modules — Used for analog measurement, digital I/O, and related acquisition functions; select by signal type, channel count, and timing requirements.
- LabVIEW — Development and runtime environment commonly used with NI test and measurement systems; verify version compatibility with the operating system and installed drivers.
- TestStand — Test management software that may be part of an automated production test environment; verify the installed release and deployment configuration.
These are related system components or software rather than direct substitutes for the controller. Confirm the actual rack configuration and application requirements before selecting alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the NI PXIe-8135 used for?
It acts as the embedded computer for a PXI Express test system. It executes test applications, communicates with installed instrumentation modules, and processes measurement data.
2. Can I replace the PXIe-8135 with model 785831-01?
NI lists 785831-01 as the recommended replacement. However, verify chassis compatibility, operating-system support, instrument drivers, peripheral interfaces, and application behavior before migration. A recommended replacement does not guarantee a drop-in software conversion.
3. Can I hot-swap this controller?
Do not assume hot-swap capability. Follow the chassis and controller installation instructions, stop active test sequences, shut down the system, and isolate power as required before removing the controller.
4. Does the PXIe-8135 support firmware v3.1?
A firmware version v3.1 is not verified for this model. Determine whether the version refers to the controller BIOS, operating system, instrument driver, or test application. Record the installed versions before planning an update.
5. Will my existing LabVIEW application run on a replacement controller?
Not automatically. Compatibility depends on the LabVIEW version, operating system, NI-DAQ or other instrument drivers, third-party drivers, and any hardware-specific dependencies. Preserve the original software image and test the application in a controlled environment before returning the rack to production.
6. How can I verify the correct PXIe-8135 variant?
Check the controller’s full part number, including its NI ordering code, and confirm the operating system, memory arrangement, storage configuration, and optional interfaces. Different PXIe-8135 variants may have different software or hardware configurations even though the base model is the same.
7. What should I check when buying a used or refurbished controller?
Request photographs of the label and connectors, confirmation of the installed memory and storage, and a test report covering boot behavior, Ethernet, USB, video, serial, and GPIB interfaces as applicable. Clarify whether the original drive image and operating-system license are included. Since NI lists this model as discontinued with limited support, establish the seller’s warranty and return terms before purchase.
Procurement recommendation: Record the complete NI part number, operating system, storage image, memory configuration, and required instrument interfaces before ordering. For an established test rack, preserving the original software environment is often as important as matching the controller hardware.
