Best practices for successfully managing long-term PXI deployments

PCI eXtensions for instrumentation (PXI) is an open test, measurement, and control platform designed for demanding applications that require maximum uptime and a high level of reliability. PXI vendors go to great measures to facilitate high quality system deployments. However, no matter how much effort is afforded to the design of the products, PXI systems do require test engineers and managers to plan for routine maintenance over the life of the product to ensure dependable operation. To ensure a long and successful deployment there are many items to consider. This includes basic tasks such as cleaning the PXI system to having a calibration plan to ensure the accuracy of measurements. This paper will describe such items that should be planned for a longterm successful deployment.