A software technique for optimizing measurement time and repeatability on instrument control buses

This paper and presentation examine major factors affecting measurement time and repeatability, especially the bus used to control the instrument. Test systems can generally be divided into two groups - those optimizing measurement time (such as in production) and those preferring to improve repeatability (such as automation or control unit testing). The paper demonstrates how to develop a performance benchmark for measurement time and repeatability using a high-precision timer and standard set of typical instrument tasks. Systematic benchmarking of individual changes in various hardware and software factors show that factors impact on measurement time and repeatability. Because the tests and methodologies are generally applicable, system designers can measure and control the factors required to optimize their system measurement time and repeatability.