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Hybrid systems highlight importance of LXI
September 11, 2006

Test system developers work in heterogeneous environment. They often must design systems that include both legacy instruments and new state-of-the-art equipment as they optimize cost and performance tradeoffs. As a result, hybrid systems consisting of multiple manufacturers, vintages, and formats are often the norm.

These hybrid systems challenge system designers to get all the different instruments to work together in a single, integrated system. LXI excels in systems such as these. Engineers drafted the LXI Specification to ensure easy integration regardless of the software or hardware that the system designer has available. LXI addresses hybrid environments by defining bridges and adapters for GPIB, VXI, PXI and all other instrument formats.

Over 50 companies say LXI is the path to the future by investing a great deal of time and resources to make sure LXI is a success. They know they ensure their customer’s success if their instruments communicate with those from other suppliers and formats. LXI defines common connectivity so instrument suppliers can concentrate on developing differentiated equipment with enhanced features and measurement capabilities. Integrators are assured communications occur in a consistent, predictable manner.

As the successor to GPIB, LXI will feature far more instruments than any modular architecture. It does not force unnecessary constraints on test vendors or systems integrators. In fact, its strongest attributes are an open platform and ease of connectivity. In a little over a year, over 150 products have been developed with LXI capabilities, paving the way for thousands more to follow. The future projected volume of LXI-compliant instruments far exceeds that of any other backplane technology by at least an order of magnitude.--Bob Rennard, Agilent Technologies, LXI Consortium President

Posted by Rick Nelson on September 11, 2006 | Comments (0)