Using IVI drivers to increase test system performance

Instrument driver technology has evolved tremendously during 1990s. Initiatives such as SCPI and VXIplug&play have simplified remote instrument programming with standardized command messages and high-level utility functions. The latest such initiative is the Interchangeable Virtual Instrument (IVI) Foundation. IVI defines standards for instrument drivers that offer many benefits to provide higher performance. These benefits include instrument interchangeability, instrument simulation, and instrument state caching. Because instrument drivers are an integral part of a modern test system, IVI promises to provide developers with the tools to increase their system performance significantly. This paper reviews the technical aspects of the IVI specification and the IVI architecture and describes how IVI can help the test system developer improve performance and lower long-term software maintenance costs.