PXIe-2514

The NI PXIe-2514 is a high-density, 40-channel Fault Insertion Unit (FIU) built for the PXI Express platform. It is a critical component in Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation environments, specifically designed to test the safety and reliability of electronic control units (ECUs). By placing the PXIe-2514 between the ECU and the system it controls, engineers can programmatically inject electrical faults—such as open circuits, shorts to ground, and shorts to battery—to validate that the system under test responds correctly to unexpected hardware failures.

1. Key Technical Specifications

Channel Count: 40 feedthrough channels Relay Topology: Fault Insertion (FIU) Fault Buses: 2 independent fault buses Max Switching Current: 2.0 A (Continuous) Max Switching Voltage: 60 VDC Relay Type: Electromechanical (Non-latching) Switching Speed: 145 cycles per second Bus Interface: PXI Express (Gen 1 x1)

2. Detailed Technical Breakdown

Fault Injection Capabilities The PXIe-2514 is built around a specialized relay architecture that provides three essential fault modes for every channel:

1. Open Circuit Simulation: The series relay opens, breaking the connection between the controller and the load to simulate a wire break.

2. Short-to-Bus Simulation: Each channel can be connected to either of the two internal fault buses. These buses are typically connected to power rails (Vcc) or Ground to simulate short-circuit conditions.

3. Pin-to-Pin Shorts: By connecting multiple channels to the same fault bus, the module can simulate shorts between signal lines, a common occurrence in damaged wiring harnesses.

High-Reliability Electromechanical Design Using robust electromechanical relays, the PXIe-2514 provides a true galvanic break with low path resistance (under 0.5 Ohms). This ensures that during “normal” operation, the module is transparent to the system, while during fault injection, it provides the high isolation required for safety-critical testing. The 2 A current capacity makes it suitable for both digital communication lines and low-power actuator signals.

PXI Express Synchronization The PXIe-2514 utilizes the PXI Express backplane to ensure deterministic execution of fault sequences. It supports hardware-timed scanning, allowing the module to advance through a list of faults in synchronization with other PXIe instruments. This is vital for HIL tests where a fault must be injected at a specific millisecond during a simulated flight or driving profile.

3. Usage and Application Scenarios

Automotive Safety Validation (ISO 26262) The module is a standard tool for validating the functional safety of automotive ECUs. Engineers use it to ensure that an engine controller or braking system enters a “limp-home” or safe-shutdown mode when a critical sensor signal is lost or shorted.

Avionics and Flight Control HIL In aerospace testing, the PXIe-2514 simulates damage to complex cable looms. By injecting faults into the signals between flight computers and control surface actuators, teams can verify that the redundancy logic of the aircraft functions as intended.

Industrial Power System Testing The module is used to test the fault-tolerance of industrial PLC systems. It ensures that if a control line to a motor or valve is compromised, the system triggers the appropriate alarms and safety interlocks to prevent equipment damage.

4. Product Comparison and Recommendations

NI PXIe-2514 (HIL Standard) 40 channels, 2 A. This is the balanced choice for most HIL applications involving automotive and aerospace signals where 2 A capacity is sufficient.

NI PXIe-2512 (Similar FIU) 40 channels, 2 A. Very similar to the 2514; selection often depends on specific connector preferences or existing test rack wiring standards.

NI PXIe-2515 (High-Speed Serial FIU) Specialized for high-speed signals like CAN, FlexRay, or Ethernet. Use this if your HIL system requires fault injection into high-speed data buses without degrading signal integrity.

Summary

The NI PXIe-2514 is a robust and reliable foundation for any professional HIL test system. Its 40-channel density and 2 A current capacity provide the flexibility to test a wide array of electronic signals under extreme failure conditions. By automating fault injection with the PXIe-2514, organizations can significantly reduce validation time while increasing the safety coverage of their products. We offer expert technical support for HIL integration and support project pricing for large-scale laboratory and production deployments.