PXI/PXIe Controllers Enlist Dual-Core Processors

The company's latest family of PXI and PXI Express real-time embedded controllers come on the scene armed with an Intel 2.16-GHz, dual-core Core 2 Duo processor (T7400), forecasting a greater than 100% performance boost compared to systems running single-core processors. Via two cores, the controllers can simultaneously execute two computing tasks. The PXI-8106 and PXIe-8106e embedded controllers operate with multitasking environments, such as Windows XP, in which multiple applications run simultaneously, as well as multithreaded applications, the likes of LabVIEW graphical development platform, in which multiple threads execute in parallel. Shared features include Gigabit Ethernet, an integrated ExpressCard slot, a Serial ATA hard drive, DVI-I digital and analog video, and additional I/O such as USB, GPIB, serial and parallel. They can also be equipped with an extended-temperature, extended-operation hard drive for extreme-temperature applications or 24/7 operation. Pricing starts from $4,499. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS, Austin, TX. (888) 280-7645.