Abstract: Methods and computing devices for matching an instrument to a device-under-test for performing a test procedure. A first data structure is constructed based on a data sheet of an instrument. The first data structure includes attributes, phenomena to be measured and testing interactions for measuring respective phenomena. A test case is constructed based on a test procedure to be performed on the DUT. The test case includes attributes, phenomena to be measured and testing interactions for measuring respective phenomena. The attributes, phenomena, and testing interactions of the first data structure and the test case are compared to determine a matching condition, and instructions are output based on the matching condition.

Abstract: Improved process control systems may include shared safety control and process control components/elements, facilitating the sharing of sensors, actuators, and input/output (I/O) interface circuitry between the safety functionality of the system and the general operational (i.e. normal) functionality of the system. Components and/or circuitry corresponding to safety operations of the system may be designed to permit inputs to be monitored during normal operations at all times as there is typically no safety risk associated with monitoring. The components and/or circuitry corresponding (or dedicated) to the safety operations of the system may operate to prevent normal operational control of various designated outputs/actuators when there is a need to activate safety functions. When there is no need to activate safety functions, these same components and/or circuitry may allow normal operational control of the designated outputs/actuators.

Abstract: Improved process control systems may include shared safety control and process control components/elements, facilitating the sharing of sensors, actuators, and input/output (I/O) interface circuitry between the safety functionality of the system and the general operational (i.e. normal) functionality of the system. Components and/or circuitry corresponding to safety operations of the system may be designed to permit inputs to be monitored during normal operations at all times as there is typically no safety risk associated with monitoring. The components and/or circuitry corresponding (or dedicated) to the safety operations of the system may operate to prevent normal operational control of various designated outputs/actuators when there is a need to activate safety functions. When there is no need to activate safety functions, these same components and/or circuitry may allow normal operational control of the designated outputs/actuators.

Abstract: A novel diagnostics and verifiable input/output (DVIO) channel may reduce fixed diagnostic circuitry and allow standard input/output channels to be repurposed as diagnostics for specific deployments. The DVIO channel may include a digital input sub-channel and a digital output sub-channel, with each sub-channel including basic protection and diagnostic circuitry for performing basic diagnostics. The two sub-channels may be used independently of each other, and they may also be coupled together to create an enhanced digital input or digital output channel, which is capable of performing more advanced diagnostics such as output readback or test pulse generation, for example. Multiple DVIO channels may be coupled together to create a multiple-channel digital input or digital output with redundant signal paths. In this way the input/output resources may be configured to meet the specific needs of a given application, and minimize the test and diagnostic circuitry required in traditional implementations.

Abstract: A novel diagnostics and verifiable input/output (DVIO) channel may reduce fixed diagnostic circuitry and allow standard input/output channels to be repurposed as diagnostics for specific deployments. The DVIO channel may include a digital input sub-channel and a digital output sub-channel, with each sub-channel including basic protection and diagnostic circuitry for performing basic diagnostics. The two sub-channels may be used independently of each other, and they may also be coupled together to create an enhanced digital input or digital output channel, which is capable of performing more advanced diagnostics such as output readback or test pulse generation, for example. Multiple DVIO channels may be coupled together to create a multiple-channel digital input or digital output with redundant signal paths. In this way the input/output resources may be configured to meet the specific needs of a given application, and minimize the test and diagnostic circuitry required in traditional implementations.

Abstract: System and method for debugging a graphical program deployed to hardware. The graphical program may be received. The graphical program may include a plurality of nodes and connections between the nodes which visually represents functionality of the graphical program. A hardware description may be generated based on the graphical program. The hardware description may describe a hardware implementation of the graphical program. The hardware description may be deployed to the programmable hardware element and the programmable hardware element may be executed. The graphical program may be displayed on a display of a host computer system that is coupled to the programmable hardware element. Debugging information may be received from the programmable hardware element during the executing. The debugging information from the programmable hardware element may be displayed in the graphical program displayed on the display.

Abstract: Generating a hardware description for a programmable hardware element based on a graphical program including multiple models of computation. A graphical program may be received which includes a first portion having a first computational model and a second portion having a second computational model. A hardware description may be generated based on the graphical program. The hardware description may describe a hardware implementation of the graphical program. The hardware description may be configured to configure a programmable hardware element to implement functionality of the graphical program.

Abstract: Generating a hardware description for a programmable hardware element based on a graphical program including multiple physical domains. A graphical program may be received which includes a first portion of a first physical domain for simulating a first portion of a physical system. The graphical program may include a second portion of a second physical domain for simulating a second portion of the physical system. A hardware description may be generated based on the graphical program. The hardware description may describe a hardware implementation of the graphical program. The hardware description may be configured to configure a programmable hardware element to simulate the physical system.

Abstract: A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task.

Abstract: System and method for generating information regarding the functionality of a system. Input specifying at least a portion of functionality of a system may be received, e.g., from a user via a graphical user interface (GUI), and may specify one or more components of the system at a component level. The input may specify one or more components of the system, e.g., software component(s), hardware device(s), function(s) of the system, etc. Information, e.g., help information and/or documentation, describing one or more aspects of the functionality of the system may be automatically generated based on the input. The descriptions of the aspects may include information regarding the synergistic/combinatorial interactions of the components at a system level, e.g., via calculation or derivation from data retrieved from various sources regarding the components of the system. The information may be automatically stored and/or automatically displayed in the GUI substantially in real-time.

Abstract: A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task.

Abstract: A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task.

Abstract: System and method for implementing a design flow for a programmable hardware element (PHE) coupled to a processor. A graphical program (GP) that specifies performance criteria is received. The GP is mapped for deployment, with a first portion targeted for execution by the processor, and a second portion targeted for implementation in the PHE. A determination is made as to whether the graphical program meets the performance criteria. If not, the GP is remapped for deployment, including identifying and specifying the sub-portion for implementation in the PHE, thereby moving the sub-portion from the first portion to the second portion, and/or identifying and specifying the sub-portion for execution on the processor, thereby moving the sub-portion from the second portion to the first portion. The determining and remapping are repeated until the performance criteria are met. The first and second portions are deployed to the processor and the PHE, respectively.

Abstract: Debugging a graphical program deployed on a programmable hardware element. The graphical program may be received. The graphical program may include a plurality of nodes and connections between the nodes which visually represents functionality of the graphical program. A hardware description may be generated based on the graphical program. The hardware description may describe a hardware implementation of the graphical program. The hardware description may be deployed to the programmable hardware element and the programmable hardware element may be executed. The graphical program may be displayed on a display of a host computer system that is coupled to the programmable hardware element. Debugging information may be received from the programmable hardware element during said executing. The debugging information from the programmable hardware element may be displayed in the graphical program displayed on the display.

Abstract: System and method for implementing a design flow for a programmable hardware element (PHE) that includes a processor. A graphical program (GP) is received, where the GP specifies performance criteria. The GP is mapped for deployment, with a first portion targeted for execution by the processor, and a second portion targeted for implementation in the PHE. A determination is made as to whether the graphical program meets the performance criteria. If not, the GP is remapped for deployment, including identifying and specifying the sub-portion for implementation in the PHE, thereby moving the sub-portion from the first portion to the second portion, and/or identifying and specifying the sub-portion for execution on the processor, thereby moving the sub-portion from the second portion to the first portion. The determining and remapping is repeated one or more times until the performance criteria are met. The first and second portions are deployed to the PHE.

Abstract: System and method for generating an application domain specific graphical program. A graphical user interface (GUI) for specifying functionality of a graphical program in an application domain is displayed, where the GUI corresponds specifically to the application domain. User input to the GUI specifying the functionality of the graphical program is received, and the graphical program generated in response, where the graphical program is executable to perform the specified functionality, and comprises multiple interconnected graphical program nodes that visually represent the graphical program functionality. The GUI includes graphical interface elements operable to indicate and/or specify, e.g.

Abstract: System and method for generating an application domain specific graphical program. A graphical user interface (GUI) for specifying functionality of a graphical program in an application domain is displayed, where the GUI corresponds specifically to the application domain. User input to the GUI specifying the functionality of the graphical program is received, and the graphical program generated in response, where the graphical program is executable to perform the specified functionality, and comprises multiple interconnected graphical program nodes that visually represent the graphical program functionality. The GUI includes graphical interface elements operable to indicate and/or specify, e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task.

Abstract: A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task.

Abstract: System and method for generating information regarding the functionality of a system. Input specifying at least a portion of functionality of a system may be received, e.g., from a user via a graphical user interface (GUI), and may specify one or more components of the system at a component level. The input may specify one or more components of the system, e.g., software component(s), hardware device(s), function(s) of the system, etc. Information, e.g., help information and/or documentation, describing one or more aspects of the functionality of the system may be automatically generated based on the input. The descriptions of the aspects may include information regarding the synergistic/combinatorial interactions of the components at a system level, e.g., via calculation or derivation from data retrieved from various sources regarding the components of the system. The information may be automatically stored and/or automatically displayed in the GUI substantially in real-time.