NI PCI-5421 256MB PCI bus 16-bit arbitrary waveform generator

Product Description

The NI PCI‑5421 is a PCI‑bus based 16‑bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) manufactured by National Instruments. It is OEM discontinued and mainly used as spare replacement for test & measurement systemsNI. This board provides one analog output channel with a base sampling rate of 100 MS/s, and the maximum effective sampling rate reaches 400 MS/s with interpolation enabled. Up to 256 MB on‑board memory supports long, complex and aperiodic custom waveform generation.

Equipped with Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS), it can generate sine, square, triangle, ramp and user‑defined arbitrary waveforms. Two output paths (Main Output and Direct Path) are available for general‑purpose generation and intermediate‑frequency (IF) applications. With SMC (Synchronization and Memory Core) architecture, multiple generators can be phase‑synchronized via RTSI bus. It can also pair with digitizers to build stimulus‑response test systems. The PCI bus enables much faster waveform downloading compared with traditional GPIB instruments. Designed for internal integration within industrial PCs, this board features SMB connector, software‑controlled output enable and short‑circuit protection. It is widely deployed in research, electronics validation, communications, automotive and aerospace test platforms.

2. Product Parameters

• Model: PCI‑5421
• Brand: NI (National Instruments, USA)
• Product Type: PCI‑bus Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG)
• Analog Output Channels: 1 channel
• DAC Resolution: 16‑bit
• Base Sampling Rate: 100 MS/s
• Effective Sampling Rate with Interpolation: up to 400 MS/s
• Analog Bandwidth (-3dB): 43 MHz
• On‑board Memory: Max 256 MB
• Output Impedance: 50 Ω
• Main Output Amplitude (50 Ω load): Max 12 Vp‑p
• Direct Path Amplitude: 0.707‑1.00 Vp‑p for IF applications
• Waveform Types: Arbitrary, sine, square, triangle, ramp; DDS synthesis
• Synchronization: SMC architecture, multi‑card phase synchronization over RTSI bus
• Signal Connector: SMB
• Host Bus: Standard PCI
• Product Status: OEM discontinued, industrial test spare part
• Key Features: Deep memory for long waveforms, multi‑device synchronization, DDS signal generation, short‑circuit protection, high‑speed PCI waveform download

3. Product Application

As a modular signal generation board for PC‑based automated test systems, the main application areas are listed below:

1. Electronic R&D & Validation: Functional verification of consumer electronics and circuit boards, providing stimulus signals for component performance testing.
2. Communications Device Test: Simulation of intermediate‑frequency and modulated signals for RF communication module development and validation.
3. Laboratory Scientific Research: Physical experiment signal simulation, generating complex long‑sequence aperiodic waveforms.
4. Automotive‑electronics Testing: Stimulus simulation for on‑board ECUs in component automated test benches.
5. Aerospace & Defence Test Systems: Building stimulus‑response test systems; multi‑card synchronized phase‑coherent signal output.
6. Legacy Test‑system Maintenance & Retrofit: Spare‑part replacement for existing NI‑PCI test platforms, maintenance and upgrade of laboratory automated test systems.