A reconfigurable test
system including a host computer coupled to a reconfigurable test instrument. The reconfigurable test instrument includes reconfigurable hardware-i.e. a reconfigurable hardware module with one or more programmable elements such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays for realizing an arbitrary
hardware architecture and a reconfigurable front end with programmable transceivers for
interfacing with any desired physical medium-and optionally, an embedded processor. A user specifies
system features with a
software configuration utility which directs a component selector to select a set of
software modules and hardware configuration files from a series of libraries. The modules are embedded in a host
software driver or downloaded for execution on the embedded CPU. The configuration files are downloaded to the reconfigurable hardware. The entire selection process is performed in real-time and can be changed whenever the user deems necessary. Alternatively, the user may create a graphical program in a graphical
programming environment and compile the program into various
software modules and configuration files for host execution, embedded processor execution, or
programming the reconfigurable hardware.