NI PXIe-5108 from NI: Eight Inputs And 100 MHz

14-Bit Oscilloscope NI PXIe-5108 from NI: Eight Inputs And 100 MHz

2025-11-26 By Hendrik Härter | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

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The trend is moving away from standalone devices towards integrated test systems based on PXI. The PXIe-5108 oscilloscope from National Instruments combines both. Additional modules allow for more channels.

PXI oscilloscopes PXIe-5108 are modular, software-defined measurement devices for use in everything from basic research to mass production. They are available with four and eight inputs.(Image: National Instruments) — PXI oscilloscopes PXIe-5108 are modular, software-defined measurement devices for use in everything from basic research to mass production. They are available with four and eight inputs.
(Image: National Instruments)

For modern test systems, National Instruments offers the PXIe-5108, a high-resolution oscilloscope specifically designed for automated PXI-based test applications. At its core is an A/D converter with 14 bits, enabling greater measurement accuracy compared to conventional 8-bit or 12-bit systems. With a bandwidth of 100 MHz and a maximum sample rate of 250 MS/s, the device is positioned for applications that demand both precision and sufficient time resolution. The sample rate can be flexibly adjusted from 3.815 kS/s to the maximum 250 MS/s, allowing the system to cover a wide range of measurement scenarios.

On the sample clock jitter side, NI specifies a value of 700 fs RMS, which ensures a stable time base and enables precise timing measurements. This is particularly important in the analysis of digital signals and protocol investigations, where even the smallest timing deviations can lead to misinterpretations.

Flexible Input Configuration

PXI oscilloscope with eight inputs: The NI PXIe-5108 offers a bandwidth of 100 MHz and a resolution of 14 bits.(Image: National Instruments) — PXI oscilloscope with eight inputs: The NI PXIe-5108 offers a bandwidth of 100 MHz and a resolution of 14 bits.
(Image: National Instruments)

The input stage of the PXIe-5108 is designed for maximum flexibility. Users can choose between two input impedances: 50 Ohms for RF applications or 1 MOhm for general measurement tasks. The input voltage varies accordingly between ±5 V for 50-Ohm coupling and ±40 V for 1-MOhm coupling. This flexibility allows the capture of both sensitive high-frequency signals and robust industrial signals with a single instrument.

Scalable Multi-Channel Architecture

A key advantage of the PXIe-5108 lies in its scalable architecture. The system is available in two configurations: a four-channel version with 256 MB of integrated memory or an eight-channel variant with 512 MB of memory capacity. Both versions utilize the same compact PXIe slot format.

The true breakthrough, however, lies in the ability to synchronize multiple PXIe-5108 modules. By intelligently routing trigger and clock signals, multiple devices can be combined into a single virtual oscilloscope with a very high channel count. This functionality not only significantly simplifies software programming but also enables cost-effective solutions for applications requiring a very high number of channels.

A promising feature of the PXIe-5108 is its multi-record capability. The system can capture up to 500,000 waveforms per second, with each dataset containing 256 samples. The waveforms depend on the PXI chassis and controller. This technology opens up entirely new possibilities for analyzing intermittent signals or rare events, which are often missed with a conventional oscilloscope.

Developers can reliably capture rare voltage spikes in switch-mode power supplies or sporadic protocol errors in digital communication systems. The high acquisition rate enables statistical analyses that would not be feasible with classical trigger methods.

Signal Conditioning And Software Integration

The PXIe-5108 with four inputs and 256 MB of internal memory.(Image: National Instruments) — The PXIe-5108 with four inputs and 256 MB of internal memory.
(Image: National Instruments)

The PXIe-5108 features programmable bandwidth limiting filters at 20, 40, and 80 MHz, with the 80 MHz filter available at sample rates of 200 MS/s or higher. These filters prevent aliasing and suppress high-frequency noise signals. Additionally, an AC coupling with a cutoff frequency of 16.50 Hz eliminates unwanted DC components.

The PXIe-5108 works with InstrumentStudio for interactive operation, LabVIEW for graphical system programming, and TestStand for automated test sequences.

Particularly noteworthy is the high data transfer rate of up to 3.2 GB/s to the host system. This specification ensures that no data is lost even during continuous high-speed measurements and real-time analyses remain possible.

Compared to its predecessor, the discontinued PXI-5105, the PXIe-5108 offers significant improvements. The resolution has been increased from 12 to 14 bits, while the sample rate has been boosted from 60 to 250 MS/s. The bandwidth has grown from 60 to 100 MHz. These performance enhancements make the new model a future-proof investment for companies looking to modernize their test systems. In comparison to the high-end PXIe-5172 model with its reconfigurable Kintex-7 FPGA and 1.5 GB memory, the PXIe-5108 positions itself as a cost-effective alternative for applications that do not require FPGA-based real-time processing. Nevertheless, with its 14-bit resolution, it offers the same measurement accuracy as the flagship model.

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Diverse Application Scenarios

The wide application range of the PXIe-5108 extends from fundamental research to series production. In research institutions, scientists benefit from the high resolution when characterizing novel materials or components. The multi-record function enables statistical analyses that provide valuable insights into the reliability and variability of prototypes. (heh)

Link: Technische Spezifikationen PXIe-5108 (external link)