Multiple-interface design for FPGA-based measurement systems

This paper presents an implementation of technical-measurement standard interfaces to an embedded FPGA-based system. The system itself is a universal platform for various physical measurements. In particular the application for a device for non-destructive testing of materials is presented. The device can also work in areas such that the ultrasonic, e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) field. The connectivity with the implementation of a free-scalable universal communication protocol over a USB 2.0 connection is shown. This feature is applied in various programming interface (API) libraries. Alternative interfaces which have a universal meaning of access protocols for common measurement and control software (e.g., National Instruments LabVIEW, Matlab or Simulink) are shown. The approach is illustrated by the LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation (LXI) interface which is already a rather complex application. Furthermore, the strict division in real-time part and communication part is explained.