EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: 0xPIT on February 02, 2018, 10:58:55 am

Title: Can a PXI system replace my full desk of queipment?
Post by: 0xPIT on February 02, 2018, 10:58:55 am

Hi,

over time, I've collected enough T&M equipment that I feel I could use some of the desk space it occupies...

I've been thinking of replacing some of it (Rigol DS2000, 2x 6.5 digit DMMs, Signal Generator, Spectrum Analyzer, etc., not sure about Voltage Current Standard, PSUs) with a PXI system and maybe a RPi or PXI embedded controller and a 7-10" Display.

I'm new to PXI. Searches on ebay reveal rather low-grade (e.g. scopes with only 100s of MS/s) equipment for rather high prices.
Yet, I'd be willing to spend some 2-3k to upgrade my home lab.

Can anyone with practical PXI experience share his thoughts? Is this viable at all?
I'm under no circumstances starting to run Windows. How's Linux Support (GUI!)?
Recommendations, comments?

Thanks,

 - pit

Title: Re: Can a PXI system replace my full desk of queipment?
Post by: Yansi on February 02, 2018, 12:58:14 pm

It definitely can replace the price of a whole desk of equipment, thats for sure.  ;D


Otherwise I dont think so. Depends on what equipment you use.

Title: Re: Can a PXI system replace my full desk of queipment?
Post by: TheUnnamedNewbie on February 02, 2018, 01:13:59 pm

Depends on the specs you need. But Keysight have entire VNAs in tiny 4-wide PXI units.

The thing is that it might not be as convenient to control, and generally just more expensive. A lot of effort goes into putting that functionality in that tiny unit and it costs. And I have never found controlling a thing through a computer as convenient as doing it with buttons. We have a lot of bigger gear like VNAs and such hooked up with mouse and keyboard, but I still really prefer going in and poking the buttons.

Title: Re: Can a PXI system replace my full desk of queipment?
Post by: Keysight DanielBogdanoff on February 02, 2018, 09:02:00 pm

Someday, yes. Right now PXI/modular equipment tends to be much more expensive than comparable stand-alone gear. The PXI market today is definitely geared more towards manufacturing and test-rack type systems or very high end gear (10-100+ $k)

If you don't need a lot of performance, your best bet is probably to go with one of the all-in-one type boxes instead of a modular system. I'd recommend looking into creative ways to maximize bench space (boom stands, etc.) instead of trying to go PXI.

Linux support is also hit-or-miss.

Title: Re: Can a PXI system replace my full desk of queipment?
Post by: thm_w on February 02, 2018, 11:28:35 pm

2-3k isn't enough to replace your current system, let alone upgrade it all.
Spend the money on a better desk, see Shahriars videos for stacking ideas.