A multi-DSP based instrument on a VXI C-size module for real-time measurements

In this paper, the design and implementation of a high-performance measurin g instrument based on multiple digital signal processors (DSP's) is discuss ed. This system can embody a number of special signal processing and analog I/O modules, specifically designed to obtain the flexibility and scalabili ty to meet the needs of real-time measurement applications. It has been mou nted on a prototyping card and interfaced with the VXIbus backplane. Some i ssues related to the hardware and software design are discussed. A first ap plication, namely the on-line spectral measurement of two input signals, e. g., voltage and current in a power circuit is discussed, reporting the firs t experimental results.