Considerations when Designing and Using Virtual Instruments as Building Blocks in Flexible Measurement System Solutions

In this paper the software and hardware structure of a virtual instrument measurement system is discussed. The focus is on flexibility, modularity, generality and hardware independence. A software architecture that meets these requirements is proposed and discussed in some detail. The proposed software architecture has a layered structure that makes it suitable for implementation of versatile measurement systems. The measurement functionality is encapsulated in its own, hardware independent layer and communicates with its environment, e.g. physical hardware, through intermediary software components. Finally a measurement system for characterization of power amplifiers that is designed following the proposed software architecture, with software driven measurements, is implemented.