{"id":750,"count":11,"description":"
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NI CompactRIO Chassis<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
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NI CompactRIO Chassis provide modular C Series I\/O capacity, FPGA-based timing and expansion resources for embedded measurement and control systems. They are used when a CompactRIO controller or host system requires additional sensor, digital, analog or communication I\/O near the machine, test cell or distributed measurement location.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

CompactRIO chassis are available in legacy reconfigurable, Ethernet RIO and high-performance expansion architectures. The correct selection depends on the required controller or host connection, C Series module configuration, FPGA requirements, synchronization method, environmental conditions and deployed software.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

What Is a CompactRIO Chassis?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

A CompactRIO chassis is a modular I\/O platform that accepts compatible NI C Series modules. Depending on the model, it can provide an FPGA, timing resources, network communication or a dedicated expansion interface for connection to an external CompactRIO controller or host computer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Unlike an integrated CompactRIO controller<\/a>, a CompactRIO chassis is primarily used to add modular I\/O capacity. It should not be assumed to provide the same local processor, operating system or standalone application capability as a controller.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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CompactRIO chassis are not interchangeable solely because they accept C Series modules. Their controller connection, FPGA target, slot count, communication architecture, power requirements and software support can differ substantially. Confirm the complete system architecture before ordering.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

CompactRIO Chassis Architectures<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Chassis Architecture<\/th>\r\n Primary Connection Method<\/th>\r\n Best Fit<\/th>\r\n Key Consideration<\/th>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n <\/thead>\r\n
Legacy Reconfigurable Chassis<\/td>\r\n Model-specific CompactRIO or host interface<\/td>\r\n Maintaining validated legacy CompactRIO systems and established FPGA applications<\/td>\r\n Verify FPGA target, driver support, deployed bitfile and controller compatibility<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
Ethernet RIO Chassis<\/td>\r\n Ethernet network connection<\/td>\r\n Distributed I\/O installed near machinery, fixtures, sensors or remote test locations<\/td>\r\n Network topology, controller support, timing and deployment configuration must be validated<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
MXI or High-Performance RIO Expansion Chassis<\/td>\r\n Dedicated high-speed RIO expansion interface<\/td>\r\n Systems requiring high-throughput FPGA-based expansion and close controller integration<\/td>\r\n Requires a compatible host or CompactRIO controller interface and supported cable hardware<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
Integrated FPGA Expansion Chassis<\/td>\r\n Model-specific network or expansion interface<\/td>\r\n Custom timing, distributed processing and deterministic C Series I\/O expansion<\/td>\r\n FPGA resources and I\/O routing vary by model and may require application recompilation<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n <\/tbody>\r\n <\/table>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

CompactRIO Chassis Families<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Model Family<\/th>\r\n Unique Category<\/th>\r\n Key Differentiator<\/th>\r\n Best For<\/th>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n <\/thead>\r\n
cRIO-911x Series<\/td>\r\n Legacy Reconfigurable CompactRIO Chassis<\/td>\r\n Established FPGA-based C Series I\/O chassis architecture<\/td>\r\n Maintaining legacy embedded measurement, control and test platforms<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
NI 914x Series<\/td>\r\n Ethernet CompactRIO Expansion Chassis<\/td>\r\n Networked CompactRIO I\/O expansion for distributed systems<\/td>\r\n Remote C Series I\/O, industrial monitoring and networked test installations<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
NI 9149<\/td>\r\n 8-Slot Ethernet FPGA CompactRIO Chassis<\/td>\r\n Eight C Series slots with Zynq-7020 FPGA-based Ethernet RIO architecture<\/td>\r\n Distributed FPGA-based I\/O systems requiring higher modular density<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
cRIO-915x Series<\/td>\r\n High-Performance Reconfigurable I\/O Chassis<\/td>\r\n FPGA-based CompactRIO expansion platform for compatible controller or host architectures<\/td>\r\n High-performance embedded I\/O expansion and custom FPGA applications<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n <\/tbody>\r\n <\/table>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

Model families include multiple FPGA, slot-count, interface and lifecycle variations. Verify the exact model, part number, installed options and required software before selecting a new chassis or replacing existing hardware.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

CompactRIO Chassis and Controller Relationship<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

A CompactRIO chassis expands the I\/O capacity of a larger system. The connected controller or host provides the application-level processing, while the chassis provides C Series module slots and model-specific timing or FPGA resources.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The complete architecture must define how data, clocks, triggers and FPGA logic are shared between the controller and the chassis. The connection method is a system design decision, not only a cable-selection decision.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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System Component<\/th>\r\n Primary Role<\/th>\r\n Selection Risk<\/th>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n <\/thead>\r\n
CompactRIO Controller or Host<\/td>\r\n Runs the deployed application, real-time logic, communications and system-level processing<\/td>\r\n Controller interface or software does not support the selected expansion chassis<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
CompactRIO Chassis<\/td>\r\n Provides C Series I\/O slots, FPGA resources and distributed expansion capability<\/td>\r\n Chassis architecture does not match the required controller or host connection<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
\u041c\u043e\u0434\u0443\u043b\u0438 \u0441\u0435\u0440\u0438\u0438 C<\/td>\r\n Provide sensor, analog, digital and communication interfaces<\/td>\r\n Module support, timing or power requirements are not compatible with the complete system<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
Expansion Cable or Network<\/td>\r\n Transfers data, configuration and timing information between system components<\/td>\r\n Wrong cable, unsupported switch topology or unverified network configuration<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n
Software and FPGA Bitfile<\/td>\r\n Configures the system and implements real-time or FPGA behavior<\/td>\r\n Existing application or bitfile is not compatible with the replacement target<\/td>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n <\/tbody>\r\n <\/table>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

How to Choose a CompactRIO Chassis<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

1. Identify the Required Expansion Architecture<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Begin with the existing controller or host hardware. Determine whether the chassis must connect through Ethernet, a dedicated RIO expansion interface or another supported CompactRIO architecture. Do not select a chassis before confirming how it will communicate with the rest of the system.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

For replacement projects, record the existing chassis model, controller model, cable assembly, network topology, LabVIEW project and FPGA target before proposing a substitute.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

2. Define the C Series Module Configuration<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Select the required \u041c\u043e\u0434\u0443\u043b\u0438 NI \u0441\u0435\u0440\u0438\u0438 C<\/a> according to the electrical interface of the sensors and devices under test. Common requirements include analog voltage, current, thermocouples, RTDs, strain, IEPE vibration sensors, digital I\/O, counters and industrial communication.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Confirm slot count, module support, signal conditioning, isolation, sample timing and terminal accessories. A C Series module may be physically similar to another module while requiring different excitation, connectors or driver support.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

3. Determine FPGA Requirements<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Use the chassis FPGA for functions requiring deterministic hardware-level behavior, such as custom triggering, encoder processing, pulse generation, inline filtering, fast protection logic, protocol implementation and synchronized I\/O.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

FPGA resource availability depends on the exact chassis model. Existing FPGA code may require recompilation or redesign when changing the chassis, even if the C Series module layout remains the same.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

4. Plan Timing and Synchronization<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Specify whether the remote I\/O must share a sample clock, reference clock, start trigger or timestamp with the controller, other chassis or external equipment. This is especially important for motion, power, vibration, control and closed-loop applications.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Ethernet connectivity by itself does not guarantee deterministic synchronization. Confirm the supported timing architecture, cable routing, network configuration and software implementation for the exact hardware combination.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

5. Review Data Throughput and Latency<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Calculate the generated data rate from the active channel count, sample rate and transferred data format:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Data rate = active channels \u00d7 sample rate \u00d7 transferred bytes per sample.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Include network or expansion-bus overhead, FPGA buffering, controller processing, logging and other simultaneous system traffic. Continuous dynamic acquisition and closed-loop control should be validated with the intended application and test duration.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

6. Confirm Deployment Conditions<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

CompactRIO chassis are commonly installed in machinery, test cells, vehicles, cabinets and laboratory fixtures. Confirm power input, operating temperature, cooling, mounting, shock and vibration conditions, cable strain relief and field-wiring practices before installation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Software, FPGA and Compatibility Considerations<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

CompactRIO chassis are configured through compatible NI software, commonly including NI-RIO, LabVIEW, LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA. The exact supported software depends on the chassis, connected controller, operating system and C Series modules.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Before deployment or replacement, verify:<\/p>\r\n\r\n