Automated test systems often face challenges with hardware diversity and code maintainability. A recent Chinese technical blog presents a robust approach using a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) combined with a plugin architecture in LabVIEW. The HAL decouples test logic from specific instruments, while plugins enable easy addition of new hardware without modifying core code. This design pattern improves reusability and reduces integration time. Although the source focuses on LabVIEW, the underlying principles of abstraction and extensibility are applicable to any test automation framework. For overseas engineers, this serves as a practical reference for building scalable test systems, especially in industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics where LabVIEW is prevalent.
This article details the design of a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) and plugin architecture for LabVIEW-based automated test systems.