Description
National Instruments PCI-8517 | 2-Port CAN FD Interface Module Specs
Architect’s Product Breakdown
The National Instruments PCI-8517 operates as an advanced network interface module within standard PCI and industrial computer environments, specifically engineered for automotive testing, electric vehicle (EV) powertrain development, and industrial machinery bus monitoring. Utilizing the NI-XNET DMA-based hardware architecture, this communication model transmits and receives CAN and CAN FD frames at the hardware level with microsecond-level timestamping. By handling message serialization and frame routing independently of the host operating system, it eliminates CPU bottlenecks during high-speed bus loading.
Deploying or replacing this model in an industrial rackmount PC requires proper configuration within the NI-XNET driver environment and correct cabling to its physical D-Sub network ports. Featuring software-selectable transceiver modes, the hardware adapts to diverse physical layer requirements. When carrying out maintenance swaps, field engineers must verify that network termination resistors (120\,\Omega) are correctly installed at both physical ends of the CAN bus trunk and that baud rate parameters match legacy bus traffic profiles to prevent frame error flags.
PCI-8517
Key Technical Specifications
- Manufacturer: National Instruments (NI)
- Product Category: CAN / CAN FD Network Interface Card
- Part Number / Catalog No.: PCI-8517 (783709-01 / 376625x-01)
- Network Ports: 2 High-Speed CAN / CAN FD isolated ports
- Supported Protocols: CAN 2.0A/B, CAN FD (Flexible Data-Rate up to 8 Mbit/s arbitration/data phases)
- Controller Architecture: NI-XNET ASIC engine with onboard DMA for zero host CPU overhead
- Physical Layer Transceiver: High-Speed / FD-capable with software-selectable termination
- Bus Isolation: Continuous galvanic isolation between ports and host computer bus
- Timestamp Resolution: 1 ns hardware timestamping for received/transmitted frames
- Bus Architecture: Standard 32-bit PCI slot interface (5V/3.3V universal keying)
- I/O Connectors: 2x 9-pin male D-Sub (CiA 303-1 standard pinout)
- Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to +55°C
- Weight: Approximately 110 g (0.24 lb)
Field Engineer’s Pitfall Guide (Unique Value)
- Hot-Swapping Under Power: Never insert or remove the PCI-8517 card while the host computer is powered on. Live hot-plugging in standard PCI expansion slots risks shorting backplane power rails and destroying host motherboard bus slots.
- Ignoring Bus Termination Requirements: Operating a high-speed CAN FD network without proper 120\,\Omega termination resistors at both physical extremities of the bus will cause severe signal reflections, resulting in active error frames and bus-off states.
- Mismatched CAN FD Arbitration and Data Baud Rates: When configuring the board in NI-XNET, setting an incorrect data-phase baud rate relative to other nodes on the network will corrupt frame payloads, preventing proper message acknowledgment.
QA & Testing SOP (Transparency)
- Visual & Origin Verification: Units undergo microscopic examination to confirm clean gold-finger edge connectors, undamaged D-Sub connector pins, intact PCB trace shielding, and authentic OEM labeling.
- Live Test Bench Environment: Network cards are seated in a dedicated industrial PCI test chassis running validated NI-XNET driver suites and NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to verify hardware self-tests.
- Loopback & Bus Traffic Diagnostics: Technicians connect calibrated CAN bus simulators across both ports, transmitting high-speed CAN 2.0 and CAN FD frame bursts to verify 1 ns timestamp accuracy, hardware filtering, and galvanic isolation integrity.
- Anti-Static Packaging: Post-testing units are sealed inside conductive ESD shielding bags and cushioned with high-density protective foam to prevent electrostatic discharge during transport.
Technical FAQ
Can I hot-swap the PCI-8517 card while the host computer is energized?
No. Standard PCI expansion slots do not support live hot-swapping. Always power down the host computer completely before installing or servicing this board.
What software environments are compatible with this CAN FD interface?
The PCI-8517 is fully supported by NI-XNET driver packages, enabling seamless integration with LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, C/C++, Python, and NI VeriStand environments.
What cable accessories connect to the D-Sub ports on this module?
The board features standard 9-pin D-Sub ports and pairs with standard CAN cables and terminal blocks, such as the NI CAN accessory cables or standard CiA-compliant DSUB-9 patch lines.
What is the standard warranty status for surplus inventory units?
Verified surplus or factory-sealed network interface modules typically carry a 12-month operational warranty covering material and manufacturing defects under standard laboratory or industrial conditions.
