Downsizing with VXIbus-lessons learned

AAI has adapted VXIbus technology under its internal research and development program for a broad range of military test system applications. The goals of this project are to provide optimum test capability, system interoperability, and a user-friendly test development environment, and to ensure ease of module interchangeability. Problem areas encountered during the development include: module interoperability/interchangeability; the unit under test (UUT) interface/interconnection device; and application software development ease. AAI has developed solutions and strategies to deal with each of these problem areas. The author discusses AAI´s findings and the lessons learned in the development of downsized test equipment utilizing VXIbus technology. The following considerations in VXIbus instrument selection and test system design are examined: instrument performance, chassis considerations, interface connector assembly considerations, controller capabilities, compliance with VXIbus Specification 1.3, instrument interoperability and interchangeability, application software development tools, and manufacturer support