The Use of Hardware Abstraction Layers in Automated Calibration Software

Abstract

The Use of Hardware Abstraction Layers in Automated Calibration Software. Today’s automated calibration tests systems depend greatly on interaction between the automation software and the physical instrumentation being controlled. This interaction creates dependencies between the software and the hardware, which can be compromised when an instrument needs to be replaced due to failure, obsolescence, or external calibration. Developing a Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) is a proactive method of mitigating the risks of planned or unplanned instrument replacement. A HAL decouples automated test software from the underlying hardware, facilitating instrument interchangeability. This paper will introduce the concept of industry-standard, vendor-defined, and user-defined HALs, describe their benefits and uses, and present a use case for implementing a HAL for a given set of instruments.