DocumentCode :
3266770
Title :
Measurement hardware emulator: synthetic instrumentation and CASS
Author :
Orlidge, Leslie A. ; Stoll, Eric D.
Author_Institution :
Allied-Signal Defense & Space Syst., Teterboro, NJ, USA
fYear :
1999
fDate :
1999
Firstpage :
725
Lastpage :
730
Abstract :
Synthetic Instrumentation is a class of test devices, including measurers and stimulators, implemented primarily with software and supported with minimal hardware conditioning for the test signals. This philosophy permits frequent reuse of the hardware elements (processors, A/Ds, D/As, signal conditioners and switches) when commanding different instrument functions. Substantially lower purchase cost and life cycle cost per function are therefore achieved. The paper describes the results of the development of the CASS Measurement Hardware Emulator (MHE) using synthetic instruments. The functions developed included: spectrum analyzer, microwave transition analyzer, frequency/time interval counter, waveform digitizer and digital multimeter. Commercial-off-the-shelf elements included a VXI chassis, Slot-0 controller (PC), RF downconverter, two digitizers, and a wideband synthesizer used as the local oscillator. Performance results were largely competitive with existing standalone instruments. AlliedSignal´s previous development work and the current MHE results show that Synthetic Instrumentation is sufficiently mature (1) to be included in service life extension programs of legacy ATE, (2) to be inserted in current ATE such as CASS, and (3) to become the basis of next generation ATE architecture, such as NxTest
Keywords :
analogue-digital conversion; automatic test equipment; automatic test software; digital multimeters; spectral analysers; virtual instrumentation; wave analysers; CASS emulator; COTS elements; RF downconverter; Slot-0 controller; VXI chassis; digital multimeter; frequency/time interval counter; legacy ATE; local oscillator; measurement hardware emulator; microwave transition analyzer; next generation ATE architecture; service life extension programs; spectrum analyzer; synthetic instrumentation; waveform digitizer; wideband synthesizer; Cost function; Counting circuits; Frequency; Hardware; Instruments; Signal processing; Software measurement; Software testing; Spectral analysis; Switches;
fLanguage :
English
Publisher :
ieee
Conference_Titel :
AUTOTESTCON '99. IEEE Systems Readiness Technology Conference, 1999. IEEE
Conference_Location :
San Antonio, TX
ISSN :
1080-7725
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5432-X
Type :
conf
DOI :
10.1109/AUTEST.1999.800447
Filename :
800447
Link To Document :
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