IVI revisited: Building next-generation test systems with open FPGAs while preserving software APIs

Test equipment vendors are increasingly supplying modular or synthetic instrumentation modules with end-user programmable FPGAs. A significant challenge in developing custom firmware for these devices is preserving standard software APIs, as firmware changes often require modification of the software API. A new software and firmware architecture, instrument driver FPGA extensions, provides the compatibility of IVI or IVI-like standard instrument drivers, while facilitating the flexibility of an end-user programmable FPGA.