VXI-based data acquisition system allows re-use of application software [in aircraft engine testing]

This paper describes a data acquisition system that was developed to allow a major jet aircraft engine manufacturer to move to VXI-based data acquisition systems for their engine development test cells while preserving the hundreds of man-years of application software that they had developed over a long period of time. In order to meet their requirements, a system was developed based upon the VXIbus open standard. A combination of hardware and software in the data subsystem emulates the original data front-end and allows the "drop-in" replacement of the existing system. This approach is not limited to aircraft engine testing. It can be applied in other industries to preserve existing application software.