14 M8100 Series Arbitrary Waveform Generators Getting Started Guide
1 Introduction
 
AXIe Embedded System Module (USB ESM)
The bottom slot of the AXIe chassis is reserved for the Embedded System 
Module (ESM) which is factory installed. The ESM has a USB 2.0 interface 
as well as a PCIe x8, Gen1 and Gen2 compliant interface to connect an 
external host computer to the chassis.
Figure 2 AXIe Embedded System Module
The ESM:
• runs the chassis embedded operating system which manages all 
internal tasks and communications.
• tracks inserted modules and manages power requirements.
• monitors chassis temperature and controls variable-speed chassis fans.
• monitors module sensors and reports component failures to a system 
log.
• acts as a Gigabit Ethernet switch; forwards frames along the backplane.
• connects an external host computer to the chassis.
• synchronizes timing across all modules through the Keysight Trigger 
Bus, using an internal or external clock source.
LAN connector on AXIe ESM is not used. Only use LAN connection on the 
host computer. 
Either the PCIe (desktop only) or USB (desktop or laptop) port can be used 
in this ESM but not both simultaneously. When you use the PCIe port, the 
USB port is automatically disabled until the PCIe port is no longer in use.