Virtual instruments for use in test systems development

SYTRONICS employed the use of modeled instruments during the recent development of the Engine Monitoring and Control System (EMCS) completed for the US Navy in which the engine was modeled and simulated for the purposes of developing, testing, and verifying the Engine Test Cell system. This simulated engine provided a virtual instrument for use with the development of the Test Cell. The Test Cell was originally developed for testing the T-406 (V-22) engine at the Navy´s Cherry Point Depot. Currently, the Test Cell is in use at this facility testing other engines. This paper addresses the practical issues of using such virtual instruments during the development of test systems. It also evaluates cost savings incurred through this development methodology and describes future capabilities and advantages of using virtual instruments for other development and test systems