A virtual instrument based system for electromotive force standards comparison

This paper presents the design and implementation of a virtual instrument (VI) based automated measuring system for electromotive force (EMF) standards comparisons. The VI is designed in graphical programming language LabVIEW and enables fast and reliable measurement functions including data acquisition, real time graphical display, statistical processing, measurement result archiving and standards database management. Besides automation, a basic emphasis is given to the system optimization in order to minimize measurement uncertainty, as well as measurement time consumption. The VI provides low cost, efficient, user-friendly EMF standards comparisons. The application of this system in everyday EMF laboratory practice improved the whole traceability chain, which is of the most importance for dissemination of EMF measurement unit to users over the country.