System and method for configuring an instrument to perform measurement functions utilizing conversion of graphical programs into hardware implementations

A computer-implemented method for configuring an instrument to perform a measurement function, wherein the instrument includes a programmable hardware element, the method comprising:

• creating a graphical program, wherein the graphical program implements the measurement function, wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the graphical program;
• generating a hardware description based on the graphical program, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the graphical program;
• configuring the programmable hardware element in the instrument utilizing the hardware description, wherein after said configuring the programmable hardware element implements a hardware implementation of the graphical program;
• wherein the programmable hardware element in the instrument is operable to perform the measurement function on a received signal.

A measurement system, comprising:

• a computer system comprising a processor, memory and a display;
• wherein the memory stores a graphical program, wherein the graphical program implements a measurement function, wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the graphical program;
• wherein the memory also stores a software program which is executable to generate a hardware description based on the graphical program, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the graphical program;
• and
• an instrument coupled to the computer system, wherein the instrument includes:
• an input for acquiring a signal from an external source;
• and
• a programmable hardware element coupled to the input, wherein the programmable hardware element in the instrument is configurable utilizing the hardware description, wherein after being configured the programmable hardware element implements a hardware implementation of the graphical program, wherein the programmable hardware element in the instrument is executable to perform the measurement function on an acquired signal.

A measurement system, comprising:

• a computer system comprising a processor, memory and a display;
• wherein the memory stores a graphical program, wherein the graphical program implements a measurement function, wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the graphical program, wherein the graphical program also comprises a user interface portion;
• wherein the memory also stores a software program which is executable to generate a hardware description based on the graphical program, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the graphical program;
• and
• an instrument coupled to the computer system, wherein the instrument includes:
• an input for acquiring a signal from an external source;
• and
• a programmable hardware element coupled to the input, wherein the programmable hardware element in the instrument is configurable utilizing the hardware description, wherein after being configured the programmable hardware element implements a hardware implementation of the graphical program, wherein the programmable hardware element in the instrument is executable to perform the measurement function on an acquired signal;
• wherein the user interface portion of the graphical program is operable to be presented on a display during the programmable hardware element in the instrument executing to perform the measurement function on the signal.

A measurement system, comprising:

• a computer system comprising a processor, memory and a display;
• wherein the memory stores a graphical program, wherein the graphical program implements a measurement function, wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the graphical program, wherein the graphical program also comprises a user interface portion;
• wherein the memory also stores a software program which is executable to generate a hardware description based on the graphical program, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the graphical program;
• and
• an instrument coupled to the computer system, wherein the instrument includes:
• an input for acquiring a signal from an external source;
• a processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor and the input;
• and
• a programmable hardware element coupled to the input, wherein the programmable hardware element in the instrument is configurable utilizing the hardware description, wherein after being configured the programmable hardware element implements a hardware implementation of the graphical program, wherein the programmable hardware element in the instrument is executable to perform the measurement function on an acquired signal;
• wherein the user interface portion of the graphical program is operable to be compiled into executable code and stored in the memory of the instrument;
• wherein the processor in the instrument is operable to execute the executable code to present the user interface on the display while the programmable hardware element in the instrument executes to pergorm the measurement function on the signal.