Developing a Reference Program

One technique for verifying instrument replacement candidates is to create a reference program. You can create the reference program when you specify the requirements of your test program or when you develop your test program. The reference program uses an IVI class driver to programmatically describe all the instrument configurations and operations that you require.

To verify whether a new instrument can work with your program, execute the reference program using the specific driver for the new instrument. You can run the reference program with the physical instrument or with simulation enabled. If you can execute the reference program without errors using the new instrument, then you can probably use the new instrument with your existing application. Depending on how many errors and the types of errors the reference program generates, you can gauge the degree to which you must modify your program to make it work with the new instrument.