Instrumentation: Insight into interfacing: Thorough and unambiguous understanding of interface systems demands sound design concepts and a precise descriptive language

An interface system definition, one optimized for the interconnection of programmable bench instruments, must contain many vital communication capabilities if it is to interconnect independently manufactured products at reasonable costs. It must also maintain a high level of compatibility, and a high degree of flexibility. The purpose of this article is to discuss not only the definition of the interface itself, but also the manner in which it is organized and the method by which it satisfies the user´s needs.