LXI and the New Generation of Automated Test: Understanding the technologies that underlie LXI

摘要

Electronic test instruments have evolved over time, and the next generation has arrived. The LXI (LAN Extensions for Instrumentation) standard defines how these instruments appear and operate -- the result is smaller, less expensive test systems that keep pace with advances in LAN communications technology. This article describes some of the factors that drive today's generation of instruments and how they are used in test systems. In the 1960s, computers became smaller and more common and they began to be used to control test instruments, which made it possible for faster measurements than human operators could do alone. The connection between the instruments and computers exhibited a great deal of variation in the early years. In 1975 the IEEE 488 General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) standard was developed and has dominated the scene for several decades. This standard was specifically designed for operation of electronic instruments, and has served that function well.