Product Introduction
The NI PXIe-5164 is a high-resolution PXI Express oscilloscope designed for precision waveform acquisition, automated test systems, power electronics analysis, semiconductor validation, and scientific research. Featuring 14-bit vertical resolution, sampling rates of up to 1 GS/s, and deep onboard memory, the PXIe-5164 delivers exceptional signal fidelity while capturing both fast transient events and low-level analog signals.
Built on the PXI Express platform, the PXIe-5164 integrates seamlessly with NI timing and synchronization technologies, enabling synchronized multi-channel measurements across complete automated test systems.
Product Overview
The PXIe-5164 belongs to National Instruments’ high-resolution PXI oscilloscope family. Compared with traditional oscilloscopes, it offers superior vertical resolution, compact modular architecture, and deterministic synchronization for automated measurement applications.
Designed for engineers working with power electronics, sensor characterization, mixed-signal systems, and semiconductor devices, the PXIe-5164 combines high-speed waveform acquisition with excellent dynamic range and low-noise performance.
Fully supported by NI-SCOPE software, the PXIe-5164 integrates with LabVIEW, TestStand, FlexLogger, NI MAX, Python, C/C++, and .NET development environments.
Key Features
14-Bit High-Resolution Digitizer
The PXIe-5164 provides significantly higher vertical resolution than conventional 8-bit oscilloscopes.
- 14-bit ADC resolution
- Improved dynamic range
- Excellent low-level signal measurement
- Reduced quantization noise
- Accurate waveform capture
Advantage: Ideal for precision analog measurements, power electronics, and sensor characterization.
Up to 1 GS/s Sampling Performance
Capture fast transient signals with high sampling accuracy.
- Maximum sampling rate up to 1 GS/s
- High-speed waveform acquisition
- Excellent timing accuracy
- Low jitter performance
- Reliable signal reconstruction
Advantage: Suitable for high-speed digital interfaces, transient analysis, and mixed-signal applications.
Deep Onboard Memory
Large acquisition memory enables long-duration waveform recording without sacrificing sampling resolution.
- Deep onboard memory
- Long acquisition windows
- Detailed waveform analysis
- High capture efficiency
- Supports complex signal investigation
Advantage: Allows engineers to capture rare events while maintaining high sampling performance.
Advanced Triggering and Synchronization
Integrated triggering capabilities support sophisticated automated measurements.
- Edge triggering
- Reference triggering
- Digital triggering
- PXI synchronization
- Multi-module timing
Advantage: Enables synchronized measurements across oscilloscopes, digitizers, RF instruments, and DAQ modules.
PXI Express Modular Platform
Designed for scalable automated measurement systems.
- PXI Express architecture
- High-speed PCI Express communication
- Compact modular design
- Easy system expansion
- Integrated synchronization resources
Advantage: Simplifies the construction of large automated validation and production test platforms.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | PXI Express Oscilloscope |
| Vertical Resolution | 14-bit |
| Maximum Sampling Rate | Up to 1 GS/s |
| Analog Channels | 2 or 4 Channels (Model Dependent) |
| Bandwidth | Model Configuration Dependent |
| Onboard Memory | Deep Acquisition Memory |
| Trigger Types | Edge, Digital, Reference, Software Trigger |
| Synchronization | PXI Trigger Bus, Star Trigger |
| Bus Interface | PXI Express |
| Driver | NI-SCOPE |
| Programming | LabVIEW, TestStand, Python, C/C++, .NET |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 55 °C |
Software Ecosystem
The PXIe-5164 integrates with National Instruments software for waveform acquisition, analysis, and automated testing.
- NI-SCOPE – Oscilloscope driver, waveform acquisition, and signal analysis.
- LabVIEW – Graphical programming for automated measurements.
- FlexLogger – Configuration-based data logging and visualization.
- TestStand – Automated production testing and validation.
- NI MAX – Hardware configuration and diagnostics.
- Python, C/C++, .NET – Supported through NI-SCOPE APIs.
Industries
- Semiconductor Testing
- Power Electronics
- Automotive Electronics
- Aerospace and Defense
- Wireless Communications
- Industrial Automation
- Research Laboratories
- Electronic Manufacturing
Applications
Power Electronics Analysis
Capture switching waveforms with high dynamic range.
- Power converter testing
- Motor drive analysis
- Inverter validation
- Transient measurements
Semiconductor Validation
Analyze analog and digital waveforms during IC development.
- IC characterization
- Timing verification
- Mixed-signal validation
- Signal integrity analysis
Automated Test Systems
Integrate waveform acquisition into PXI automated test platforms.
- Production testing
- Electronic validation
- Functional verification
- Quality assurance
Scientific Research
Acquire high-resolution analog signals for laboratory experiments.
- Sensor measurements
- Experimental analysis
- Precision waveform recording
- Data analysis
Comparison with Similar Products
| Model | Main Difference | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| NI PXIe-5164 | 14-bit high-resolution oscilloscope with up to 1 GS/s sampling. | Precision waveform acquisition |
| NI PXIe-5162 | Lower bandwidth oscilloscope for general-purpose measurements. | General laboratory testing |
| NI PXIe-5172 | High-speed oscilloscope with integrated signal streaming capabilities. | Long-duration waveform recording |
| NI PXIe-5122 | Earlier-generation high-speed PXI oscilloscope. | General waveform analysis |
Recommended Related Products
| NI PXIe-1095 | 18-slot PXI Express chassis for high-performance measurement systems. |
| NI PXIe-8861 | Embedded controller for PXI Express automated test platforms. |
| NI PXIe-6368 | Multifunction DAQ module for synchronized analog and digital acquisition. |
| NI PXIe-4139 | Precision Source Measure Unit for automated electrical testing. |
| NI PXIe-2737 | High-density relay switch module for automated signal routing. |
Why Choose PXIe-5164?
- 14-bit high-resolution waveform acquisition
- Up to 1 GS/s sampling performance
- Deep onboard acquisition memory
- Excellent signal fidelity and dynamic range
- Integrated PXI timing and synchronization
- NI-SCOPE software support
- Ideal for semiconductor, power electronics, and automated testing
- Fully compatible with LabVIEW, TestStand, and Python
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PXIe-5164 primarily used for?
The PXIe-5164 is designed for precision waveform acquisition, semiconductor validation, power electronics analysis, automated testing, mixed-signal measurements, and scientific research.
What advantages does the 14-bit resolution provide?
Compared with traditional 8-bit oscilloscopes, the 14-bit architecture provides significantly higher dynamic range, lower noise, and improved accuracy for low-level analog signal measurements.
Which software supports the PXIe-5164?
The PXIe-5164 is supported by NI-SCOPE, LabVIEW, FlexLogger, TestStand, NI MAX, Python, C/C++, and .NET development environments.
Conclusion
The NI PXIe-5164 PXI Express Oscilloscope combines high-resolution 14-bit digitization, up to 1 GS/s sampling performance, deep onboard memory, and advanced PXI synchronization into a compact modular instrument. It is an excellent choice for semiconductor validation, power electronics, automated testing, and precision waveform analysis in demanding engineering environments.
