cRIO-9114 8-Slot CompactRIO Reconfigurable Chassis
The cRIO-9114 is an eight-slot CompactRIO reconfigurable embedded chassis that connects a compatible CompactRIO real-time controller to C Series I/O modules. Its backplane contains a Xilinx Virtex-5 LX50 FPGA for deterministic signal processing, timing, triggering and custom control logic.
The chassis is designed for rugged industrial measurement and control systems. It supports direct FPGA access to installed C Series modules as well as Scan Interface operation for applications that prioritize simplified I/O configuration.
Key Features of the cRIO-9114
- Eight C Series I/O slots
- Xilinx Virtex-5 LX50 FPGA
- 40 MHz default FPGA clock
- 25 ns FPGA clock period
- LabVIEW FPGA Interface mode
- CompactRIO Scan Interface mode
- Direct deterministic access to C Series I/O
- Compatible with selected legacy CompactRIO controllers
- -40°C to 70°C operating range
- DIN-rail and panel-mounting options
- Rugged shock and vibration design
- Suitable for distributed control and monitoring
- Designed for industrial and embedded deployment
cRIO-9114 Technical Specifications
| Product Model | cRIO-9114 |
|---|---|
| Product Type | CompactRIO reconfigurable embedded chassis |
| Number of C Series Slots | 8 |
| FPGA | Xilinx Virtex-5 LX50 |
| Default FPGA Clock | 40 MHz |
| FPGA Clock Period | 25 ns |
| I/O Interface Modes | LabVIEW FPGA Interface and Scan Interface |
| I/O Module Type | Compatible NI C Series modules |
| Controller Requirement | Compatible legacy CompactRIO real-time controller |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to 70°C |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C to 85°C |
| Mounting | Panel or DIN-rail mounting with suitable accessories |
| Programming Environment | LabVIEW, LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA |
| Product Status | Legacy/discontinued platform |
The cRIO-9114 does not contain a general-purpose processor or network interface. It must be combined with a compatible CompactRIO controller, C Series I/O modules, power supply and software environment to create a complete embedded system.
cRIO-9114 Part Number and Accessories
| Item | Part Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cRIO-9114 | 780918-01 | Eight-slot Virtex-5 LX50 CompactRIO chassis |
| cRIO-9114 Conformal-Coated Variant | 780918-02 | Variant intended for environments requiring conformal coating |
| CompactRIO Controller | Model dependent | Provides the real-time processor, storage and communication interfaces |
| C Series I/O Modules | Model dependent | Provide analog, digital, sensor and communication interfaces |
| DIN-Rail Mounting Kit | Configuration dependent | Secures the controller and chassis assembly to a DIN rail |
| Panel-Mounting Kit | Configuration dependent | Supports fixed installation on an equipment panel |
Confirm the full part number when purchasing because conformal-coated and standard versions may have different environmental and application requirements. Controller-to-chassis mechanical and software compatibility must also be verified.
Eight-Slot C Series Architecture
The eight slots allow the system to combine multiple measurement and control functions. A single chassis can contain voltage, current, temperature, strain, digital I/O, relay and communication modules according to the application.
Module compatibility depends on the selected interface mode and installed CompactRIO software. Some specialized modules may require FPGA Interface operation.
Virtex-5 LX50 FPGA
The onboard FPGA connects directly to the C Series modules and can execute multiple hardware-timed operations in parallel. It can implement custom triggering, filtering, pulse generation, interlocks and high-speed control independently of the real-time processor.
FPGA code is compiled into a hardware bitfile and deployed to the target. FPGA resource use must remain within the logic, memory and timing capacity of the Virtex-5 LX50 device.
Scan Interface and FPGA Interface
Scan Interface mode presents supported I/O channels as variables within the real-time application, simplifying development for moderate-speed monitoring and control.
LabVIEW FPGA Interface mode provides lower-level access to module I/O and timing. It is preferred when the application needs custom protocols, deterministic microsecond-level behavior or hardware-based safety logic.
Legacy Modular CompactRIO Design
The cRIO-9114 belongs to the modular generation of CompactRIO in which the controller and FPGA chassis are separate hardware components. This permits component replacement and configuration flexibility but requires careful compatibility verification.
cRIO-9114 Applications
- Industrial machine control
- Distributed data acquisition
- Condition monitoring
- Renewable-energy control
- Power-electronics testing
- Hardware-in-the-loop systems
- Motion and actuator control
- Remote environmental monitoring
- Process monitoring and control
- Transportation-system testing
- Laboratory automation
- Custom embedded measurement systems
Industrial Control
The FPGA can execute deterministic interlocks, pulse-width modulation and control timing while the real-time controller handles supervisory logic, networking and data logging.
Distributed Monitoring
Different C Series modules can collect measurements from industrial sensors and transmit processed information through the attached controller’s network interfaces.
Power-Electronics Development
Fast analog and digital C Series modules can be combined with FPGA control logic for converters, inverters and motor-drive experiments. External isolation and protection must match the application voltage and energy.
cRIO-9114 Installation Workflow
Step 1: Verify the Controller
Confirm that the selected legacy CompactRIO controller supports the cRIO-9114 mechanically and through the installed software.
Step 2: Mount the Controller and Chassis
Connect the controller and chassis according to the official installation instructions, then install the assembly on a panel or DIN rail.
Step 3: Install the C Series Modules
Insert each module into its planned slot and tighten its retaining screws. Record the model and slot number for software configuration.
Step 4: Connect Power and Ground
Use a correctly rated power supply and implement grounding appropriate for the industrial environment.
Step 5: Discover the Controller
Use NI MAX to detect and configure the CompactRIO controller, network settings and installed software.
Step 6: Add the Chassis to LabVIEW
Create or open a LabVIEW project and add the controller, cRIO-9114 chassis and installed modules.
Step 7: Select the Interface Mode
Use Scan Interface for simplified access or FPGA Interface when deterministic and customized behavior is required.
Step 8: Deploy and Validate
Test each module and signal path individually before deploying the complete control application.
cRIO-9114 Troubleshooting
The cRIO-9114 does not appear under the controller
Check the mechanical controller-to-chassis connection, controller compatibility and NI-RIO software installation.
A C Series module is not detected
Confirm that the module is fully seated and supported by the installed software. Move it to another slot to help isolate a module or slot problem.
FPGA compilation fails
Review logic utilization, block-memory use, clock constraints and unsupported nodes. Simplify the design or optimize resource-intensive processing.
I/O cannot be accessed in Scan Interface mode
Verify that the selected module supports Scan Interface operation. Some modules must be accessed through LabVIEW FPGA.
The control loop does not meet timing requirements
Move critical processing from the real-time application to the FPGA and review clock-domain and pipeline design.
The system becomes unstable in a cabinet
Check ambient temperature, spacing, ventilation, grounding and power-supply capacity. Maintain the required airflow around the controller and chassis.
cRIO-9114 Comparison
| Model | FPGA and Slots | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| cRIO-9114 | Virtex-5 LX50, 8 slots | Expanded legacy CompactRIO systems requiring more FPGA resources |
| cRIO-9111 | Virtex-5 LX30, 4 slots | Compact systems with fewer I/O modules |
| cRIO-9112 | Virtex-5 LX30, 8 slots | Eight-slot systems with lower FPGA resource requirements |
| cRIO-9116 | Eight-slot chassis with a larger Virtex-5 FPGA | More complex FPGA applications |
| Modern Integrated cRIO Controller | Processor and FPGA in one assembly | New systems requiring current hardware and software support |
Recommended Related Products
- cRIO-9111 4-Slot FPGA Chassis
- cRIO-9114 8-Slot FPGA Chassis
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- NI-9251 Analog Input Module
- View More NI CompactRIO Products
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cRIO-9114?
The cRIO-9114 is an eight-slot reconfigurable CompactRIO chassis containing a Xilinx Virtex-5 LX50 FPGA.
Does it include a real-time controller?
No. It is a chassis and FPGA backplane. A compatible CompactRIO real-time controller must be connected separately.
How many C Series modules can it hold?
The chassis provides eight C Series module slots.
Can it use Scan Interface mode?
Yes. It supports Scan Interface and LabVIEW FPGA Interface modes, subject to controller, software and C Series module compatibility.
What is its operating-temperature range?
The specified operating range is -40°C to 70°C under the applicable installation conditions.
What FPGA does it use?
The cRIO-9114 uses a Xilinx Virtex-5 LX50 FPGA.
What is the cRIO-9114 part number?
The standard chassis part number is 780918-01. A conformal-coated version may be identified as 780918-02.
Request a Quote for the cRIO-9114
Contact us for availability and pricing for the cRIO-9114 8-Slot CompactRIO FPGA Chassis. We can also help verify the required controller, C Series modules, mounting accessories and software compatibility.
