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Abstract

A method and apparatus for regulating a measurement system. The apparatus includes a coordinator that transmits instruction signals based upon a program stored in a memory to an instrument through a communication bus. The instrument is also coupled to a device under test. A real-time synchronized clock and a data buffer are placed on each instrument that performs a measurement, provides a stimulus, controls a device, manages data, or performs a test. Signals passing between the device under test and the instrument are processed by function circuitry. After the measurement is made and a parameter or an output signal from the device under test is collected by the instrument, the real-time clock supplies a reference time signal which is associated with each parameter or group of data derived from the device under test. The data buffer stores each group of data with its associated reference time signal until the coordinator calls for the instrument to dispatch the results of the measurement or stimulus back along the communication bus in the form of an instrument output signal. If the instrument provides a stimulus to the device under test, the stimulus appears as an input signal in accordance with the instruction signal which has been stored in data buffer. The stimulus is triggered by a timing signal from the real-time clock.

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