System Architects Get A Softer Rack From Agilent

As most system architects are already aware, test-system creation and revision are made more difficult by typical star-shaped architectures in which every system connection and protocol conversion must be uniquely programmed. As a result, a change in one system element requires changes in every other connected element.




Agilent Technologies Inc. [NYSE: A] intends to ease this situation as they have released the latest version of the Agilent Virtual Rack platform. This software provides an interactive way for aerospace/defense companies to create flexible system frameworks with radically less effort in the integration, automation, maintenance and evolution of test systems.




The Virtual Rack platform decouples all system elements within a matrix-based architecture, replacing programming for system integration with configuring components and services. As a result, integration is independent of specific interfaces or programming languages. Through the matrix, a system developer simply defines the endpoints, and the platform uses sources-and-sinks interactions to handle all required integration and automation. A key to this approach is the intuitive Agilent Virtual Rack "storeroom" concept: Thousands of hardware, software and firmware from numerous vendors — not just Agilent — are included. All of these elements are accessible through an efficient, Web-like interface that enables drag-and-drop system creation and modification.




There are three key products that include Virtual Rack Modules (currently available Virtual Rack Modules enable networking, telemetry, mnemonics, MIL-STD-1553, FPGA, GPS synchronization and solar-array simulation); Virtual Rack Integrator 7.8 (for connection, automation and services within a test system); and Virtual Rack Platform 7.8 (single node-locked computer to operate the mounted components)—Santa Clara, California