Integrating Heterogeneous Systems in an FTI Environment

Abstract

Typically, FTI projects utilise acquisition hardware from multiple vendors. There are at least three ways of facilitating their integration. The first option is to implement a series of ad hoc mechanisms customised to the software interfaces provided by each specific FTI vendor. The second option is to define a meta-data format that can be used to define hardware setup and configuration in a common way. The final option is to define a common software architecture that prescribes a set of interfaces and services through which vendor hardware can be configured, and measurement data retrieved. This paper discusses the pros and cons of each approach and outlines the level of difficulty associated with each.