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The IEEE 1588 Standard


By Peter Plazotta, TSEP

Synchronizing time between multiple computers in the network has always been a challenge. What is, in the first step, a trivial requirement to equip two or more computers with the identical time is, on closer inspection, a very complex problem. The problem can be defined as follows: 

Distribution of the time of a very precise time source (atomic clock, GPS) on one or more computers in the network. Only the existing network infrastructure is available to distribute the time. 

To solve this problem, the NTP protocol was developed by David L. Mills at the University of Delaware in 1985 and published as RFC 958. With this protocol, it was now possible to assign several computers to the time of a time server. The accuracy is reached in the microsecond range (1x10-6 sec.) And was sufficient at that time. 

As early as 1990, the T & M sector recognized the need to have significantly more precise systems. At this time, GPS systems were also available that could provide a much better accuracy, but this alternative was not attractively priced. In addition, the requirements for improved accuracy with the then existing infrastructure (should) needed to be achieved. For example, at the beginning of the nineties, a working group around John C. Eidson was founded at Hewlett-Packard to develop a concept for the improvement of the NTP standard. The results published in 2000 by John C. Eidson were so interesting for the T & M companies that they wanted to set up their own IEEE standard for this new type of time synchronization. In 2002, the IEEE 1588-2002 was completed and released. With the help of this standard, accuracies in the sub-microsecond range became possible. 

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IVI Web Forum Question and Answer:
64-bit C Visa Clarification


Answered by Ted Wang, National Instruments
for the
IVI Web Forum

Note:  Offering an IVI driver is a requirement for all LXI-conformant instruments, something you will find in the LXI Device Specification 2016, Section 6.1. The IVI Web Forum is hosted by the IVI Foundation.It was created to answer the more practical questions that arise when using the IVI Drivers to program test systems. To see a list of the IVI Drivers, click here. To view this question/answer in the Forum, click here.

Question:

If I want to use 64-bit C-Visa do I link to the Visa64.dll or the Visa32.dll? Both are in the system32 dir on a 64-bit O/S. They are both provided by IVI.

What's the difference between these 2 Dll's? Using dependency walker I see they both have the standard VISA API exported but the Visa64.dll depends on other Dll's like: VisaConfigMgr.dll and VisaUtilites.dll; whereas, the Visa32.dll doesn't depend on any other Dlls.

Answer:

You can link to either. The visa32.dll on 64-bit's system32 directory contains entry points that are simply forwarders to the respective visa64.dll entry points. It was created so that users may use the same library name for both 32-bit and 64-bit applications. Here's a snippet of the module definition file:

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Thanks to all our readers.
Bob Helsel, Editor
www.lxistandard.org

Use the connection you already know!


New LXI Products

The LXI Consortium has certified more than 3666 instruments in over 312 product families since the specifications were first released in September 2005. Some of the recent LXI product introductions are highlighted below:

Tektronix 5 Series MSO Mixed Signal Oscilloscope
With a remarkably innovative pinch-swipe-zoom touchscreen user interface, the industry's largest high-definition display, and 4, 6, or 8 FlexChannel™ inputs that let you measure one analog or eight digital signals, the 5 Series MSO is ready for today’s toughest challenges, and tomorrow’s too.

AMETEK Programmable Power/VTI Instruments
The EX1401 delivers accuracies of ±0.20°C, 1000 V channel-channel isolation, built-in self-test capabilities, and independent 24-bit ADC’s per channel. Its ability to acquire data at 20K samples/second/channel allows its usage in high-speed temperature transient applications.

Aim-TTi Announces New generation Portable Digital Multimeter
- Low cost dual display LXI DMM
- Accurate, portable, affordable bench DMM
Aim-TTi has announce the launch of the new DMM 1908, a programmable Digital Multimeter that offers the accuracy of a 5.5 Digit DMM with the convenience and isolation of battery operation.

Pickering’s New 2-slot USB/LXI modular chassis - model 60-104
This 2–slot USB/LXI modular chassis offers a small lightweight form factor, making it ideal for portable, benchtop, and space restrictive applications. The chassis is designed for desk or rack mounting and features remote control via USB or LXI Ethernet. 

Keysight N6705C DC Power Analyzer, Modular, 600 W, 4 Slots
4-slot mainframe holds up to 600 W of total power and up to 4 modules. More than 30 DC power modules to choose from (modules ordered separately)

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Latest Press Releases

First LXI Product Development Using the LXI Reference Design

The LXI Device Specification 2016, Revision 1.5 can now be downloaded from the LXI website. 

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