Development of PC-based virtual radio frequency signal generator

In respect to the realization of virtual radio frequency signal generator (VRFSG), the principles and methods for realizing physical instrument (PI) drive library, virtual instrument (VI) drive library and instrument soft panel software are presented, the sampling functions of various output waveforms of the signal generator are given, and two dynamic linkage libraries for driving PI and VI as well as an instrument soft panel software are developed. Finally, tests with selected radio frequency, amplitude modulation and low-frequency signals were conducted to carry out comprehensive evaluation on VRFSG that uses above principles and methods. The evaluation results showed that, the VRFSG can simulate various operations and functional modules of PI, and outputting of radio frequency signals, modulation signals and low-frequency signals, etc. The VRFSG using above technology can be useful for remote program controlling of PI and simulating PI.