NI trend report highlights technological breakthroughs

Virtual instrumentation leader, National Instruments, Austin TX, released its trend watch report, summarizing the latest technology trends aimed at helping engineers meet evolving demands and integrate the ever-increasing power of technology into their work.

The inaugural NI Trend Watch 2014 report examines a range of topics—from cyber-physical systems to the “SDR-ification” of RF instruments.

“Because engineers use NI tools in so many different industries and applications, we are in a position to examine trends in measurement, sensors, networks, test and more – as they happen,” says Eric Starkloff, NI senior vice president of marketing. “NI compiled what we learned in this report to help engineers take advantage of the latest technological breakthroughs and stay ahead of the competition.”

The report covers trends in these areas:

Cyber-Physical Systems: Developing systems that continuously and dynamically interact with their environment through the coupling of distributed computational and physical components

Big Analog Data™ Solutions: Connecting IT infrastructures and analytic tools, such as the cloud, with data acquisition systems to make faster decisions on test data

RF/Wireless: Revolutionizing the wireless industry by integrating a range of technologies from software defined radio into RF test equipment

Models of Computation: Integrating multiple programming approaches into a single environment to simplify complex distributed and real-time applications

Mobile Communication: Using mobile devices as user interfaces in measurement and control systems

STEM Education: Preparing students with cross-disciplinary approaches to engineering