Abstract: A system and method synchronize operations of a plurality of devices via messages over a communication network. A plurality of devices are communicatively coupled via a communication network, and the devices have their local clocks synchronized to a high degree of precision a technique, such as IEEE 1588, for synchronizing their local clocks. Event messages can be sent that include an identification of an event, as well as a timestamp that is based on the local clock of the sender. The recipient of an event message determines if it is configured to act on the identified event, and if so it takes its action based on the timestamp included in the event message. In certain embodiments, the events that are to trigger an action and/or the specific responsive actions to be taken for a given event are dynamically programmable for each device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided which add, via an add-on module, synchronization functionality to an instrument that does not otherwise support such synchronization functionality. Various synchronization techniques may be supported by the synchronization module. For instance, in certain embodiments the synchronization module supports message-based synchronization techniques and/or time-based synchronization techniques. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the add-on module supports synchronization with another device (e.g., another instrument or another add-on module coupled to an instrument) via synchronized local clocks (e.g., IEEE 1588) and messaging over a communication network. In certain embodiments, the add-on module additionally or alternatively supports the use of “time bombs” to trigger scheduled actions on the instrument with which the synchronization module is interfaced.

Abstract: A test system and method which utilizes a component data base that stores performance data for individual component of the system. The system and method can further provide for using data and information from one calibration procedure in connection with performing further calibration procedures. The system and method can further provide for utilizing data of from linear components of the system to determine performance characteristics of non-linear components.

Abstract: A system and method synchronize operations of a plurality of devices via messages over a communication network. A plurality of devices are communicatively coupled via a communication network, and the devices have their local clocks synchronized to a high degree of precision a technique, such as IEEE 1588, for synchronizing their local clocks. Event messages can be sent that include an identification of an event, as well as a timestamp that is based on the local clock of the sender. The recipient of an event message determines if it is configured to act on the identified event, and if so it takes its action based on the timestamp included in the event message. In certain embodiments, the events that are to trigger an action and/or the specific responsive actions to be taken for a given event are dynamically programmable for each device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided which add, via an add-on module, synchronization functionality to an instrument that does not otherwise support such synchronization functionality. Various synchronization techniques may be supported by the synchronization module. For instance, in certain embodiments the synchronization module supports message-based synchronization techniques and/or time-based synchronization techniques. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the add-on module supports synchronization with another device (e.g., another instrument or another add-on module coupled to an instrument) via synchronized local clocks (e.g., IEEE 1588) and messaging over a communication network. In certain embodiments, the add-on module additionally or alternatively supports the use of “time bombs” to trigger scheduled actions on the instrument with which the synchronization module is interfaced.

Abstract: A system and method are provided which enhance the robustness of non-reliable protocols, such as UDP. As described further below, according to at least one embodiment, a method is provided for improving the robustness of using non-reliable protocols, such as UDP, in applications in which small numbers of time-critical packets are transmitted. For instance, in a system of cooperating devices on a network, a device on a network may broadcast information about itself to the other devices. According to various embodiments described below, a combination of redundant re-transmissions of non-reliable protocol data packets and inclusion of timestamps in the non-reliable protocol data packets is used to improve the robustness of applications that rely on the non-reliable protocol data packets.