NI PCI-8254R IEEE 1394 Interface with Reconfigurable Digital I/O

The NI PCI-8254R is an IEEE 1394a interface card with integrated reconfigurable digital I/O, designed for high-performance machine vision and industrial control applications. It combines a dual-port IEEE 1394a host adapter with 29 configurable digital I/O lines, enabling synchronized multi-camera acquisition and real-time trigger control without external interface hardware. The card’s reconfigurable logic supports custom implementations via LabVIEW FPGA, making it suitable for packaging inspection, assembly verification, and robotic control systems.

– Technical Specifications

IEEE 1394 Interface
• Two direct-connect IEEE 1394a ports with 400 Mb/s shared bandwidth
• Supports up to 16 cameras per board with hub expansion; direct connection for 2 cameras
• DCAM (IIDC) compliant camera compatibility

Digital I/O
• 29 total digital I/O lines: 15 inputs and 14 outputs
• Input lines: 13 isolated 24 V lines plus 2 dedicated TTL lines
• Output lines: 4 isolated 24 V lines plus 10 dedicated TTL lines
• 44-pin D-Sub connector for I/O access
• Quadrature encoder inputs and general-purpose digital I/O for actuator and PLC communication

Power Requirements
• ATX power connector available from host supply
• PCI bus camera power limited to 5 W (shared across both ports) when ATX not used
• Isolated output current maximum: 50 mA at 5 V
• Combined Viso pin current limit: 500 mA
• External power supply compatible up to 30 VDC (e.g., NI 1450: 24 V, 50 W)

Physical
• Dimensions: 10.7 cm × 17.5 cm (4.2 in. × 6.9 in.)
• Weight: 0.25 lb

– Key Features

• Reconfigurable I/O technology via LabVIEW FPGA Module for custom hardware tailoring
• Mixed-voltage I/O: 24 V industrial lines paired with TTL logic lines
• Isolated output capability with external power supply support
• Compact PCI form factor

– Typical Applications

• Multi-camera machine vision systems
• Packaging and assembly inspection
• Industrial process control and synchronization
• Robot control and feedback integration

– Compatibility & Integration

• Windows 2000/XP operating system
• NI Vision Acquisition Software 8.0 or later
• IEEE 1394a cable connection
• Optional I/O terminal blocks and prototyping accessories available