Virtual Instrumentation throughout the Years: From GPIB to PCI to Multicore
& Real-Time
Abstract:
The success of Virtual Instrumentation began in the laboratories. The focus
had been on instrument control. Through GPIB we achieved time improvements for
test. Later on, the power of the PC increased and now all analysis and control
took place there. Moore’s law helped to increase the power of the entire system.
But lately Moore’s law reached its limits as the speed of processors could not
increase any further. At this time, multicore systems emerged. Engineers face
the challenge to take the full advantage of the performance of such architectures.
Graphical system design can help to develop effective test and measurement systems.
The same design paradigms can be applied to real-time and embedded systems.
This keynote will take us from the past to our present time and on to the
future of Virtual Instrumentation.
Short biography:
After graduating in Electrical Engineering (main subject Communications
Engineering) from the University of Paderborn, Rahman Jamal joined
the newly founded National Instruments Germany GmbH and participated
decisively in its development. Today he holds the position of Technical
and Marketing Director. He is the author of numerous books and articles
on measurement and automation technology. Moreover, he is actively
involved in several committees such as the OPC Foundation Europe
as well as the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and
Information Technologies of DIN (German Institute for Standardization)
and VDE (Association of Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies).
For 30 years, National Instruments has revolutionized the way engineers and
scientists in industry, government, and academia approach measurement and automation.
Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases
productivity and lowers costs for test, control, and design applications through
easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and
control hardware for PXI, PCI, PCI Express, USB, and Ethernet. (from NI Webpage).
