Model Nomenclature

• PXI: PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation.

• 8221: NI’s PXI I/O carrier series; specifically a dual PC Card adapter.

Key Specifications

General

• Form factor: 3U, 1‑slot width

• Host interface: PCI (PXI backplane), up to 132 MB/s

• PC Card sockets: 2 independent slots

  • Either two Type I/II cards

  • Or one Type III card (occupies both sockets)

• Card types supported:

  • 16‑bit PCMCIA (3.3 V / 5 V)

  • 32‑bit CardBus (full PCI speed)

• Mixed mode: PCMCIA + CardBus cards can run at the same time

• Voltage: Auto‑senses 3.3 V or 5 V per slot

• Interrupts: Serialized IRQ (ISA‑style interrupts over PCI)

• Status: 2 front‑panel LEDs (one per slot) for power/activity

• Operating temperature: 0 °C to 50 °C

• Power: Powered from PXI backplane (~5 W typical)

Core Features

1. Dual PC Card Slot Expansion

   Fits two standard PC Cards in one PXI slot, ideal for adding legacy I/O to PXI test systems.
2. Mixed PCMCIA / CardBus Support

   Works with both older 16‑bit PCMCIA and newer 32‑bit CardBus cards, including legacy industrial communication and DAQ cards.
3. Full PCI Bandwidth for CardBus

   CardBus cards run at 132 MB/s, same as native PXI modules.
4. Serialized IRQ for Legacy Compatibility

   Translates ISA‑style interrupts used by many PCMCIA cards into PCI‑compatible signals, ensuring smooth operation in PXI systems.
5. Auto Voltage Sensing & LED Status

   Automatically provides 3.3 V or 5 V to each card; LEDs confirm insertion and power status.

Typical Applications

• Legacy Instrument Control: Integrate older PCMCIA‑based GPIB, serial, or analog I/O cards into PXI test benches.

• Industrial Communication: Add PC Card–based fieldbus (e.g., CAN, Profibus) adapters to PXI systems.

• Legacy Data Acquisition: Reuse older PCMCIA DAQ cards in modern PXI setups.

• Portable/Field Systems: Embed specialized PC Card peripherals into compact PXI field testers.

Compatibility & Replacement

• Obsolete: PXI‑8221 is no longer available new.

• Modern alternatives:

  • Use PXI/PXIe modules with native Ethernet, serial, or GPIB.

  • For legacy PC Cards, consider USB PC Card readers (if OS supports them) or upgrade to equivalent PXI modules.

Installation & Usage Notes

• Install into any 3U PXI chassis (e.g., PXI‑1042, PXI‑1045).

• Insert PC Cards before powering on the chassis.

• Drivers: Requires NI‑PXI and OS‑level PCMCIA/CardBus support (Windows XP/7; LabVIEW RT limited).