KS2201A PathWave Test Sync Executive

Real Time Synchronous Solutions

Keysight’s PathWave Test Sync Executive software enables rapid development of high-performance multi-instrument and multi-channel real-time solutions. This powerful software tool is critical in applications requiring tight synchronization, real-time control, and feedback including quantum physics experiments, radar, communication systems, and more.

Keysight’s Hard Virtual Instrument (HVI) technology

PathWave Test Sync Executive is built on Hard Virtual Instrument (HVI) technology. HVI provides the capability to program one or multiple instruments to execute time-deterministic sequences of operations and execute them with precise synchronization as if they were a single instrument. This is done by deploying a code executable into the HVI Engine integrated into supported Keysight instruments.  Each instrument that is supported has specific instructions and detailed documentation

Test Sync Executive unlocks the instrument hardware for complex applications by utilizing the  HVI technology. 

Abstract Away the Complexity

PathWave Test Sync Executive is a powerful API for synchronizing multiple instruments for precise real-time execution. With a scalable architecture for multi-chassis and 1000s of channels, you can execute at the speed of hardware.

Application Programming Interface (API)

PathWave Test Sync Executive delivers an Application Programming Interface (API) which is a set of programming classes and methods needed to define, program, and execute an HVI instance. Test Sync Executive supports Python and C# programming languages. 

The API is class-based and is a combination of the HVI-native API (used by all instruments) and the HVI instrument add-on API (specific to the instrument).  HVI uses a program-within-a-program model that enables the definition of a program that runs on the instrument's hardware while the software programs run in parallel and interact with the instruments. HVI is responsible for the setup, compilation, and hardware execution management. When the application runs, it generates an HVI instance and the sequences within it are executed on the instruments. Applications follow a series of steps to program and execute the HVI instance.

The API allows for easy integration into programming environments and provides maximum flexibility. With extensive help files for both languages as well as programming examples, getting started is fast and easy.

Time Management and Latency

To take advantage of the real-time capability of Test Sync Executive, statement execution time management and latency concepts are application specific. Once the sequence is created, Test Sync Executive will verify the complex timing requirements at compilation time to ensure the code developed can be executed.

Fast Data Sharing

PathWave Test Sync Executive integrates seamlessly with PathWave FPGA software. PathWave FPGA provides the tools and interface to easily add custom IP (Intellectual Property) blocks and control logic to a wide range of Keysight instruments.  Instruments that support both PathWave FPGA and Test Sync Executive offer enhanced capability for real-time synchronous applications.

PathWave Test Sync Executive integrates seamlessly with PathWave FPGA software. PathWave FPGA provides the tools and interface to easily add custom IP (Intellectual Property) blocks and control logic to a wide range of Keysight instruments.  Instruments that support both PathWave FPGA and Test Sync Executive offer enhanced capability for real-time synchronous applications.