VXI system integration is getting a little easier
Standard instrument driver software and system configuration software help
reduce the system integrator's frustrations
Seven years after the inception of the VXIbus, users are still having
difficulties putting together VXI systems, especially multivendor types. VXI
vendors have been working diligently to make the user's job easier.
Hewlett-Packard is supplying installation software, and the VXI Plug & Play
Systems Alliance is providing specifications for developing standard instrument
drivers.
It will cut VXI system configuration time in half! That's the claim
Hewlett-Packard Co. (Loveland, CO) makes for its new VXI installation software
provided with its HP E1406A command modules and its HP E1300/01A Series B
mainframes. The program's step-by-step on-screen instructions will, according
to HP, help test engineers, system integrators, programmers, and R&D engineers
install or update VXI systems quickly. The software's exclusive multivendor
technology eliminates the need to wade through pages and pages of written
documentation. What's more, the software is claimed to be quite easy to use.
Even before unpacking VXI system components, installers can access HP VXI
installation software on a PC-compatible computer by using on-screen “index
cards” to tell the program what modules–including instruments, switches,
mainframes/command modules, and other HP and non-HP equipment–go into the
chassis. After the user enters this information, the installation software
presents logical-address settings and slot locations in a diagram format that
can be edited.
HP's installation software introduction comes hard on the heals of the VXI Plug
& Play Systems Alliance's announcement of specifications for developing
standard instrument drivers. The alliance, made up of 17 VXI hardware and
software product vendors (see vendor list), has introduced two specifications
to implement instrument driver software.
The two specifications, VPP-3.1 (Instrument Drivers Architecture and Design
Specification) and VPP-3.2 (Instrument Driver Developers Specification), are
expected to ensure turnkey instrument drivers for VXI instrument from all of
the vendors. A second objective of the specifications is to assist instrument
end users and applications programmers in implementing applications that use
instrument drivers that comply with the two specifications.
Difficulty of installing and confuring aside, in the final analysis all VXI
hardware can be used in any VXI system. Hardware from non-VXI Plug & Play
vendors will work in systems built around hardware from Plug & Play vendors,
and vice versa. And most important, non-VXI Plug & Play members are free to
build their products around the alliance's Plug & Play specs.
–Warren Yates
PHOTO CAPTION:
As VXI-based test systems become more and more commonplace, VXI vendors are
striving to make the VXI system integrator's job easier.
BOX:
VXI Plug & Play Alliance Vendors
Analogic Corp.
Peabody, MA
C&H Technologies, Inc.
Austin, TX
EIP Microwave Inc.
Milpitas, CA
GenRad
Concord, MA
Giga-tronics
Sunnyvale, CA
Integrated Control Systems
Houston, TX
Kepco, Inc.
Flushing, NY
KineticSystems Corp.
Lockport, IL
MAC Panel Co.
High Point, NC
National Instruments Corp.
Austin, TX
North Atlantic Instruments
Bohemia, NY
Power-Tek Inc.
Farmington Hills, MI
Racal Instruments Inc.
Irvine, CA
Tektronix
Beaverton, OR
Transmagnetics, Inc.
Farmingdale, NY
Virginia Panel Corp.
Waynesboro, VA
Wavetek Corp.
San Diego, CA
Notice that Hewlett-Packard, the largest provider of VXI products, is
conspicuous by its absence from the Plug & Play Systems Alliance. To date, some
differences, particularly with respect to software, have been the most commonly
proffered reason for this. Reports are that these differences may be narrowing,
however.
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