Remote instrumentation access and control (RIAC) through inter-networking

In the modern electronics, communication, controls, and computer industries, systems are becoming very complex and highly integrated. In addition, most of these systems are also becoming programmable to increase the flexibility and adaptability of operation. These systems can not be easily tested or characterized at bench level testing. Sophisticated test equipment, personnel are needed. It is neither practical nor economical to have such sophisticated testing laboratories and procedures implemented every where. However, it is very practical, feasible, efficient if such testing activities are done at locations where the appropriate equipment and technical personnel available, and send the results of testing in near real time to remote locations for analysis and design changes. Proper fault tolerant and fast networking schemes are needed. Fortunately, with the advances in the network connectivity technologies such as: ISDN (integrated services digital network), frame relay, and ATM (asynchronous transfer mode), and Internet; and application platforms such as WWW (World Wide Web), RIAC can be implemented. At Florida International University, we are developing such a scheme using the industry standard GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus) based instrumentation, and the ISDN/Internet based network connectivity. In this paper the authors describe the concepts of GPIB, concepts of industry standard SICL (Standard Instrument Control Library), and the actual model implementation of the RIAC.