I. Basic Information

Model: PCI‑8512/1 (1 port), PCI‑8512/2 (2 ports) Part Number:

1 Port: 780683-01

2 Port: 780683-02NI

Bus: 32-bit PCI / PCI-X (33 MHz, 5 V), does not support PCIe

Ports: 1 or 2 × High-speed CAN/CAN FD, DB-9 connector

Isolation: Channel-to-bus 1000 Vrms isolation (anti-ground current, anti-interference)

Status: Mainstream in stock (not discontinued); PCIe version: PCIe-8512

II. Core Specifications (Easy to Understand)

1) CAN Communication

Protocol: CAN 2.0A (11-bit ID), CAN 2.0B (29-bit ID), CAN FD

Baud Rate:

Standard CAN: Up to 1 Mbps

CAN FD: Data Segment Up to 2 Mbps (Depends on Bus) NI

Transceiver: NXP TJA1041/TJA1043 (ISO 11898‑2) NI

Terminal Resistor: Software Configurable 120 Ω Terminal (Independent for Each Port)

2) Hardware and Performance

Transmission: DMA Engine, Zero CPU Interrupt Forwarding, Low Latency NI

Onboard Memory: 256 MB, Large Cache for CAN Frames

Synchronization: RTSI Bus + Front Panel Trigger, Multi-Card / Multi-Rack Synchronization NI

Connector: DB-9 (Compliant with CAN Standard Pins)

Board Type: Full Height Half-Length PCI Card

Power Supply: PCI 5 V, Typical 0.8 A / Maximum 1.2 A, No External Power Required

Temperature: 0 °C ~ 55 °C (Operation)

III. Differences between PCI-8512/1 vs /2

PCI-8512/1: 1 CAN/CAN FD Path, Isolated, DB-9, Suitable for Single Bus

PCI-8512/2: 2 Independent CAN/CAN FD Paths, Dual Isolation, Dual DB-9, Suitable for Dual Buses, Redundancy, Parallel Network Testing NI

IV. System Compatibility (Drivers + OS)

Driver: NI-XNET (Required), Supports CANdb, FIBEX, LDF, ARXML Databases NI

System:

✅ Windows 7/10/11 (32/64) ✅ LabVIEW Real‑Time

✅ Linux (NI-XNET support)

Software: LabVIEW, NI-XNET API, Python/C#/C++, Vehicle Network Toolbox

V. Typical Applications

Automotive ECU Testing: Engine / Body / Chassis CAN bus communication, UDS diagnosis, flashing

HIL Hardware-in-the-Loop: Real-time simulation of CAN bus nodes, high throughput and low latency NI

Industrial Buses: CANopen, DeviceNet, J1939 device communication, monitoring, data analysis

Bus Monitoring / Recorder: Long-term packet capture, fault playback, data playback

Multi-Bus Parallel: Dual ports independent, simultaneously accessing two CAN networks VI. Common Questions

❌ The PCIe slot is not usable: Must be the old-fashioned PCI/PCI-X; PCIe should be selected as PCIe-8512

⚠️ DB-9 pins: CAN_H = 7, CAN_L = 2, GND = 3/6, terminal = 9 (in accordance with standard wiring)

⚠️ Isolation safety: The isolation terminal is not connected to the ground to avoid ground circulation

⚠️ CAN FD rate: The actual rate is affected by the length of the bus, the number of nodes, and the quality of the cable

VII. Alternative / Upgrade Models

PCIe-8512: PCIe ×1, 1/2 port CAN/CAN FD, isolation, native support for Windows 10/11

PXI-8512: PXI bus version, suitable for integration into PXI chassis