Overview
Introduced in 2005 by Agilent Technologies and VTI Instruments (formerly called VXI Technology), the LXI instrumentation platform combines Ethernet-enabled instrumentation with the ubiquity of the World Wide Web and applies them to test and measurement applications. Small, modular instruments, using low-cost, open-standard LAN (Ethernet) are the system backbone. LXI-compliant instruments offer the size and integration advantages of modular instruments without the cost and constraints of card-cage architectures. LXI supports synthetic instruments and peer-to-peer networking, which provides number of unique capabilities to the test engineer. Utilizing Ethernet communications, permits flexible packaging, high-speed I/O, and standardized use of LAN connectivity addresses a broad range of commercial, industrial, aerospace, and military applications.
Typically, LXI modules have no front panel or display, using the host PC and Ethernet connections to present setup and results. DUT connectivity is reserved for the front of the module, with line power and Ethernet IO on the rear panel. LXI modules utilize self-contained power supplies to improve reliability, and lower costs. This also enables widely distributed system architectures. Measurement IP may reside on the module, in the PC, or both.
Read more about this topic: LAN EXtensions For Instrumentation