LXI is an instrumentation platform based on industry standard Ethernet technology. It was developed to offer the size and integration advantages of modular instruments without the constraints and costs of card cage architectures.

Ethernet is by far the most widely accepted communications interface in use today, and nearly every computer is now supplied with a LAN port as standard. Many benchtop instruments also include Ethernet interfaces for control and remote display of readings, so the evolution to LXI is a small step.

Amplicon offer a number of LXI compliant devices, including oscilloscopes and data acquisition systems. These devices include a web browser for control and access to measurements, along with IVI.COM drivers for integration with automated test programs.

The Agilent 34972A is a great example of the LXI philosophy of providing a lower cost alternative to a complete PXI or VXI test system. It is able to measure over 100 channels with a built-in DMM, control external signals with its switch modules, and provide analog outputs and digital I/O. It has a large on-board memory and real-time clock for accurate data logging, and a web browser for remote access.