Adopting IVI: an incremental approach, one year later [ATE applications]

Lockheed Martin Information Systems (LMIS) is encouraged by the promise interchangeable virtual instruments (IVI) brings to automatic test equipment (ATE). We are committed to the principle of isolating the test program set (TPS) software from the variability of a specific instrument, the concept the IVI foundation was established on. We have demonstrated this commitment by incorporating an IVI-like interface into our automated test systems several years ago when IVI was not adequately defined. As a result, we have seen firsthand the benefits it brings to nonrecurring engineering expenses of new systems. IVI instrument driver technology offers the test system developer many benefits over existing implementations. As instruments become obsolete, or as newer, higher performance or lower cost instruments become available, the significant investment expended on the TPS will be protected. This paper discusses LMIS's adoption of vendor-supplied IVI drivers into the software architecture of our current programs such as LM-STAR for the joint strike fighter (JSF) and our experiences with IVI driver development tools.