Integrating the LXI standard into a scalable microwave interface platform

The introduction of the first revision of the LXI specification in September of 2005 offered developers the opportunity to integrate an open-architecture standard for ethernet-based instrumentation into ATE designs. The standard has been quickly embraced by instrumentation suppliers and system designers who desire the inherent advantages ethernet provides, such as simplified connectivity, convenient web-based software utilities and a distributed architecture, while incorporating the facets of an open platform that helps to ensure multi-vendor interoperability. In the microwave test arena, there have been many releases of LXI-based instruments across a wide range of application spaces including, but not limited to signal generators, signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers and synthetic instruments. This paper explores the benefits of integrating LXI class A standards into the world of custom microwave interface subsystem designs and discusses a specific implementation as an example.