ABSTRACT
This paper will review the applicability of VXIbus based instruments to the needs of the bioengineering and biomedical measurement communities. Peak signal bandwidths supported by VXIbus extend to the GHz range which is well above most biological signal requirements. Similarly, environmental compatibility specifications including electromagnetic compatibility, cooling, shock, and vibration may exceed most needs and add to unnecessary cost. Despite these potential mismatches, the instrument-on-a-card and the virtual instrument capabilities of VXIbus offer advantages over existing RS-232, IEEE488.1/.2, plug-in cards, and other "rack-and-stack" systems. Expansion and flexibility inherent in VXIbus devices make them resistant to obsolescence and easy to upgrade. Users are faced with a number of selection criteria when making instrumentation decisions. Bandwidth, power, isolation, cost, performance, software for control, and future development needs are among the issues that must be evaluated. A list of systems, devices, and suppliers is provided as part of this paper.