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MXP Developers Guide V 0.5 (updated 9/22/14)
1. Open NI Multisim 13.0 or later, and create a new design (CTRL+N).
2. On the left side of the dialog box, select “Installed Templates”, then select “NI myRIO Single MXP” and click
“Create”.
3. A schematic with symbols for the MXP connector will appear, as well as a pre-designed PCB template. You may
now design your board, enjoy!
Example Projects
Simple Breakout Board – This is a board which simply breaks out all I/O available in the MXP port. It is broken up into
five banks of 4 I/O headers, each of which has adjustable +3.3V or +5V voltage pins, as well as ground pins. Additionally,
there is a bank of two analog outputs and a dedicated UART port, each with their own voltage select. The voltage can be
selected temporarily or semi-permanently by either jumping or soldering the power select jumper, respectively, for each
bank. The holes along the side of the board allow for convenient use of zip-ties to restrain wires connected to the board.
Positional Sensor Breakout Board – This is a board designed to connect easily with most positional sensors, such as
potentiometers and quadrature encoders. It is broken up into four banks of 4 I/O headers, each of which has adjustable
+3.3V or +5V voltage pins, as well as ground pins. The voltage can be selected temporarily or semi-permanently by either
jumping or soldering the power select jumper, respectively, for each bank. The holes along the center of the board allow
for convenient use of zip-ties to restrain wires connected to the board.
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Mechanical Drawings
Recommended Parts
Name Part Number Manufacturer
Vertical MXP Connector SH2-34G-P On-Shore Technology, Inc.
3-Pin Header 68000-103HLF FCI
4-Pin Header 68002-404HLF FCI
Board Mount Screw #4-40 x 3/16" N/A
Taller Vert. MXP Connector ESW-117-23-L-D Samtec
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Spacer for Taller Connector 4500-440-AL-7 RAF Electronic Hardware
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MXP Pinout
The RoboRIO uses the standard myRIO eXpansion Port (MXP), which is can be seen in Figure 1, and comes with a pre-
flashed FPGA image which provides additional functionality on certain pins; these pins and peripherals can be found in
Figure 2 below. It is important to note that any DIO line can generate simple PWM signals and decode quadrature
encoders.
Figure 1 - MXP Connector Standard Figure 2 - RoboRIO Additional Pin
Pinout Functionality
Notes
You may widen the module beyond 2.230”, but the relative placement of screw holes and the connector must
remain the same.
Be careful to obey the .065” maximum component height on the bottom of the board.
If you need more room for tall components on the bottom of the board, you may use an MXP connector which is
taller than the recommended one, but be sure to place spacers between the module and the RoboRIO in order
to keep the board mounted level.
DIO14 and DIO15 each have an internal 2.21kΩ pull up resistor that can be utilized for applications such as I2C.
