This paper presents an overview of work being done by Teradyne in conjuncti
on with the IVI Foundation to specify an IVI class for digital instrumentat
ion. The Interchangeable Virtual Instruments (IVI) Foundation was formed in
August 1997 to define standard specifications for programming common test
instrument capabilities.
The paper will present the major architectural aspects of digital test inst
rumentation and how those features can be grouped into classes for the purp
ose of writing an instrument independent driver. Topics discussed will incl
ude derivation of capability classes, class extensions, simulation, and ran
ge checking. Examples of how the IVI digital class would apply to the Terad
yne M9-Series Digital Test Instrument will be included.
Conclusions will summarize the unique attributes of digital test instrument
ation, the benefits which can be achieved through standardization, and the
tradeoffs associated with utilizing class extensions.