Research of a approach to design virtual instrument development platforms based on unit elements

The rapid development of computer technology has promoted the technological innovation in the field of instrumentation. Virtual instruments with the characteristics of high simulation degree, low cost, convenient deployment, and quick reading have been increasingly applied in the industrial field. Based on the research of the composition and design characteristics of virtual instruments, this paper proposes a modular design method of ’unit element’ combination and assembly, and realizes a virtual instrument design system with a visual interactive operation interface. This paper details the unit element definition, system architecture, data communication and control, instrument unit design and packaging, component invocation methods, dynamic link libraries, and virtual instrument simulation testing based on multi-thread technology. The virtual instrument system designed by this method has the characteristics of low development cost, easy maintenance and expansion, high code reuse rate, and strong versatility.