Emerson Broadens Access to Modular Test Platform with Cost-Effective Automation Hardware
January 20, 2026
News
AUSTIN, Texas (Jan. 20, 2026) – Emerson is expanding access to its field-proven NI PXI test platform with new high-performance hardware at a more affordable price point. These additions are designed to make it easier for more engineering teams to adopt scalable, low-cost automated test systems without compromising precision or reliability for AI-enhanced workflows.
The new NI PXI hardware—including high-resolution oscilloscopes, multifunction I/O modules, embedded controllers, and an all-hybrid chassis—maintains the NI brand’s hallmark strengths in software integration, synchronized measurements, and high channel density, while lowering the cost barrier for test system development.
Combined with NI software ecosystems like LabVIEWTM, InstrumentStudioTM, and TestStandTM, Emerson supports test teams accelerateingautomation, simplifying integration, and building future-ready test solutions that evolve with their needs.
The new, affordable NI PXI products include:
- High-resolution oscilloscopes (NI PXIe-5108): Four- and eight-channel options with 100-megahertz bandwidth, 250-MegaSample per second sample rate and 14-bit resolution. The flexible, high-density design means engineers capture more data, faster, with seamless precision.
- 18-slot hybrid chassis (NI PXIe-1081): An all-hybrid chassis with 2 gigabits per second system bandwidth. Built for growth, it scales easily and connects software-driven test systems so more teams can access critical data.
- Embedded controllers (NI PXIe-8842 / 8862): Simplified controllers supporting Windows 11™ and NI Linux Real-Time™. Engineering teams that don’t need a general-purpose interface bus (GPIB) can ensure more accurate and efficient measurements in their workstreams.
- 18-bit multifunction I/O modules (NI PXIe-6381 / 6383): New data acquisition (DAQ) modules offering industry-leading measurement performance with 18 bits of resolution and absolute accuracy down to 980 microvolts. With low noise voltage measurements across 16 or 32 channels, they deliver high accuracy and scalable solutions to automated test systems.
PXI-based test system featuring new NI PXIe-1081 chassis, NI PXIe-8842 embedded controller, and NI PXIe-5108 Oscilloscope for software-driven mixed-signal measurements with InstrumentStudio
These new products represent the building blocks of a complete PXI system, supporting better test capability that revolves around engineers’ access to modular and configurable systems to meet unique test and measurement needs.
"For 25 years, our modular NI PXI platform has empowered customers to future-proof their instrumentation investment through innovative upgrades that deliver the latest test and measurement capabilities. We’re excited that now more test engineers will be able to improve their workflows and increase their productivity through the NI platform with these new products,” said Charles Schroeder, NI fellow at Emerson’s test and measurement business.
“This foundational line of affordable, powerful NI PXI products allows test engineers to unlock deeper access to better data while making the right cost and performance trade-offs for their organization. It introduces the future of test and measurement and reimagines productivity in the age of AI.”
The current line of NI PXI products—with synchronized, high-density measurements and modular scalability—is positioned to support the use of AI for real-time reasoning and data insights within test environments.
To learn more about these new NI PXI products, join the NI webinar on January 21, 2026, “Scope It Out: 4 New Affordable PXI Products.”
Tiera Oliver is the assistant managing editor at Embedded Computing Design. She is responsible for web content editing, product news, and story development. She also manages, edits, and develops content for ECD podcasts, including Embedded Insiders.
She utilizes her expertise in journalism and content management to oversee editorial content, coordinate with editors, and ensure high-quality output across web, print, and multimedia platforms. She manages diverse projects, assists in the production of digital magazines, and hosts company podcasts by conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders to deliver engaging and insightful discussions.
Tiera attended Northern Arizona University, where she received her bachelor's in journalism and political science. She was also a news reporter for the student-led newspaper, The Lumberjack.
