Developing a “big” instrument from an automatic measurement system

A `big instrument' is developed from an automatic measurement system by adding an internal measurement structure, measurement accuracy specifications, and a front panel. It is done so that the user perceives one instrument instead of a collection of instruments. Any big instrument is directed toward an end user. Its measurement set is chosen to satisfy this user's need and, therefore, eliminates his software development tasks. The big instrument front panel has the same three functions as a simple instrument front panel: definition, execution, and presentation.