NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PCI-5122 Oscilloscope Module

Frequently asked questions
Q:Does the PCI-5122 include onboard memory?
A:Yes. The module uses onboard acquisition memory, with available configurations ranging from 8 MB to 512 MB per channel, depending on the selected model configuration.

Q:Can multiple PCI-5122 modules be synchronized together?
A:Yes. Through NI T-Clock synchronization technology, multiple PCI-5122 modules can be integrated into a multi-channel measurement system with sub-nanosecond timing alignment.

Q:How does the 14-bit resolution affect signal measurement?
A:The 14-bit resolution increases measurement detail compared with standard lower-resolution digitizers. It helps capture small signal changes and reduces the influence of quantization noise during waveform acquisition.

Description

The module uses the NI Synchronization and Memory Core (SMC) architecture and includes two input channels with simultaneous sampling capability. The input range can be configured between 40 mV and 20 V according to different measurement conditions. Depending on the selected configuration, onboard memory is available from 8 MB to 512 MB per channel for storing acquired waveform data during measurement. When used in automated test environments, the PCI-5122 is mainly applied in situations where higher resolution is required than standard 8-bit oscilloscopes can provide. The 14-bit acquisition capability helps reduce the influence of quantization noise and improves the measurement of small signal changes occurring on larger voltage levels. In power electronics testing and semiconductor characterization, the module can be used to capture signal variations, waveform details, and harmonic information that may be difficult to identify with lower-resolution instruments. The PCI-5122 is also used in communication testing and medical imaging systems, including ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT), where accurate digitization of high-frequency echo signals is required. The T-Clock synchronization technology allows multiple PCI-5122 modules to operate together in a multi-channel system while maintaining sub-nanosecond timing alignment. This makes the device suitable for phase-related measurements and applications requiring consistent waveform timing between multiple acquisition channels.

Parameter

Model: PCI-5122 Oscilloscope Module 
Bus Interface: PCI (32-bit, 33 MHz)
Number of Channels: 2 (Simultaneously sampled)
Vertical Resolution: 14-Bit
Onboard Memory (Standard): 8 MB per channel
AC-coupling cutoff (-3 dB): 12 Hz
Input voltage range: ±5 V
Maximum drive current: ±12 mA
Maximum frequency: 25 MHz
Output impedance: 50 Ω
Logic type: 3.3 V CMOS

Application areas

• Medical Ultrasound Prototyping: Serves as the high-speed data acquisition front end for research laboratories designing specialized medical imaging arrays and therapeutic ultrasound equipment.
• Avionics Bus and Telemetry Validation: Digitizes high-speed, time-domain communication waveforms on military aircraft to monitor signal integrity and track transmission jitter.
• Disc Drive and Semiconductor Wafer Component Verification: Digitizes read/write channel signals from magnetic storage heads or parameters from flash memory controllers during high-volume production testing.

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