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.