PXI-8430/4 4-Port RS232 PXI Serial Interface Module
The PXI-8430/4 is a four-port RS232 PXI serial interface module designed for high-speed communication with instruments, controllers, embedded devices and other RS232 equipment. Each port can operate independently and appears as a standard serial COM port in supported operating systems.
With maximum transfer rates up to 1 Mbps, onboard 128-byte FIFOs and DMA-based communication, the PXI-8430/4 provides a reliable way to integrate several legacy or industrial serial devices into a centralized PXI automated test system.
Key Features of the PXI-8430/4
- Four independent RS232 serial ports
- Maximum transfer rate up to 1 Mbps
- Supports standard and nonstandard baud rates
- 128-byte transmit and receive FIFOs
- High-performance DMA data transfers
- Multithreading and multiprocessor support
- Appears as standard COM ports
- Four 10-position modular front connectors
- Compatible with NI-VISA and NI-Serial
- Suitable for instruments, controllers and industrial devices
- PXI hybrid-slot compatibility
- Compact one-slot 3U PXI module
PXI-8430/4 Technical Specifications
| Product Model | PXI-8430/4 |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 778983-01 |
| Product Type | PXI serial interface module |
| Serial Standard | RS232 |
| Number of Ports | 4 |
| Maximum Baud Rate | 1 Mbps |
| Supported Baud-Rate Range | Approximately 2 baud to 1,000,000 baud |
| FIFO Size | 128 bytes per transmit and receive path |
| Isolation | Nonisolated |
| Front Connectors | 4 × 10-position modular jacks |
| Data Transfer | DMA, interrupt and programmed I/O support |
| Software Interface | Standard COM port and NI-VISA |
| Typical +5 V Power | Approximately 400 mA |
| Maximum +5 V Power | Approximately 600 mA |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 55°C |
| Storage Temperature | -20°C to 70°C |
| Module Dimensions | 100 mm × 160 mm, 3U |
| Module Width | One PXI slot |
PXI-8430/4 Part Number and Connectivity
| Item | Part Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PXI-8430/4 | 778983-01 | Four-port nonisolated RS232 PXI serial interface |
| 10P10C-to-DB9 Cable | Verify length and connector gender when ordering | Adapts an individual modular port to a conventional DB9 RS232 connection |
The PXI-8430/4 does not place conventional DB9 connectors directly on the front panel. Confirm that the required number of 10-position modular-to-DB9 adapter cables is included with the module or ordered separately.
Four Independent RS232 Ports
Each port can communicate with a separate RS232 device using its own baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits and flow-control configuration. This allows one module to control several devices that use different communication settings.
Typical connected equipment includes programmable instruments, power supplies, motion controllers, barcode scanners, environmental chambers, embedded controllers and legacy industrial devices.
1 Mbps Serial Communication
The PXI-8430/4 supports data rates up to 1 Mbps, substantially higher than the 115.2 kbaud rate associated with many conventional computer serial ports.
The connected device, cable length and electrical environment must also support the selected baud rate. For longer cables or electrically noisy installations, a lower transfer rate may provide more reliable communication.
DMA Data Transfers
DMA architecture transfers serial data between the module and system memory with limited CPU intervention. This is useful when several ports are active simultaneously or when the host computer must perform measurement and analysis tasks at the same time.
Multithreading and multiprocessor support also help distribute serial communication tasks in larger automated test applications.
Standard COM-Port Compatibility
After the NI-Serial driver is installed, each PXI-8430/4 port appears as a standard COM resource. Existing programs written for conventional Windows serial ports can often access the module without specialized low-level hardware programming.
The COM-port assignments should be documented because operating-system or hardware changes can occasionally alter the assigned port numbers.
NI-VISA Integration
NI-VISA provides a consistent API for serial instruments and other communication interfaces. Test programs can open a serial resource, configure communication parameters, write commands, read responses and handle timeouts.
The module can be used from LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and compatible text-based programming environments.
Typical PXI-8430/4 Applications
- Automated instrument control
- Environmental-chamber communication
- Programmable power-supply control
- Barcode and identification systems
- Industrial controller communication
- Legacy equipment integration
- Production functional testing
- Laboratory automation
- Multi-device RS232 communication
- Data logging from serial sensors
PXI-8430/4 Troubleshooting
The module is not detected
Verify that the PXI-8430/4 is fully inserted into a compatible PXI or PXI hybrid slot. Check chassis power, controller communication and NI-Serial installation.
A serial port does not appear
Inspect Windows Device Manager and NI MAX. Reinstall or repair NI-Serial if the module is detected but individual COM ports are missing.
The device does not respond
Confirm the baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits and flow-control mode. Verify that the adapter cable has the correct DB9 gender and DTE/DCE wiring.
Characters are corrupted
Communication settings on the module and device must match exactly. Also check grounding, cable length and electromagnetic interference.
Communication stops during long transfers
Review the application timeout, buffer handling and hardware or software flow control. Ensure that received data is being read quickly enough to prevent buffer overflow.
PXI-8430/4 vs PXI-8430/8
| Feature | PXI-8430/4 | PXI-8430/8 |
|---|---|---|
| Serial Standard | RS232 | RS232 |
| Number of Ports | 4 | 8 |
| Isolation | No | No |
| Front Connection | Four modular jacks | One 68-pin SCSI connector |
| Best Suited For | Four directly accessible serial connections | Higher RS232 port density |
Recommended Related Products
- PXI-8430/2 RS232 Serial Interface
- PXI-8430/8 8-Port RS232 Interface
- PXI-8431/4 RS485/RS422 Interface
- PXI-8432/4 Isolated RS232 Interface
- PXI-GPIB Instrument Control Module
- View More NI PXI Modules
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PXI-8430/4?
The PXI-8430/4 is a four-port nonisolated RS232 interface module for PXI systems.
What is its maximum baud rate?
The maximum supported serial transfer rate is 1 Mbps.
Does it have four DB9 connectors?
No. It has four 10-position modular connectors that can be adapted to DB9 through compatible cables.
Does the module provide electrical isolation?
No. Applications requiring isolated RS232 ports should consider the PXI-8432/4.
Which driver controls the PXI-8430/4?
The module uses NI-Serial and can be accessed through standard COM-port functions or NI-VISA.
What is the PXI-8430/4 part number?
The standard NI ordering part number is 778983-01.
Request a Quote for the PXI-8430/4
Contact us for current availability and pricing for the PXI-8430/4 4-Port RS232 Serial Interface Module. We can also help identify compatible DB9 adapter cables, PXI chassis and isolated or higher-port-count alternatives.
