System Architecture
- Updated2025-12-19
- 2 minute(s) read
RPS is composed of modular system components that are responsible for API interaction, VST instrument control, data movement, and storage of RF data.
Each system component is composed of a service application and a specific subset of the RPS system hardware that the system component manages. The service application for each system component must run on the computer that is interfaced with the hardware the component interacts with. Little to no direct interaction with these applications is required to use RPS. These service applications are controlled by the main RPS application and are intended to be left to run in the background.
The RPS InstrumentStudio panels, custom applications written using the RPS APIs, and system component service applications all communicate with each other over network ports, so many applications can be run on the same computer, or they can be distributed across network-connected computers. The following figure illustrates the network topology.
Each modular system component is described in more detail in the following dedicated subsections of this manual.
- Record and Playback Software Application (RPS.exe)
- Instrument Controller System Component (ICsc)
- Stream Translator System Component (STsc)
- Record and Playback Data Storage Server System Component (RPDSsc)
- Terminology and Concepts
Related Information
- Record and Playback Software Application (RPS.exe)
The Record and Playback Software Application (RPS.exe) is the main application within an RPS system and is responsible for remotely controlling all other system component applications.
- Instrument Controller System Component (ICsc)
Instrument Controller System Component (ICsc) is responsible for configuring and controlling the PXIe-5842 Vector Signal Transceivers in a single PXIe controller domain across one or more PXIe chassis.
- Stream Translator System Component (STsc)
Stream Translator System Component (STsc) is responsible for adapting high-speed serial connections with acquisition and generation devices, such as VSTs, to/from high-speed Ethernet connections with an RDMA-enabled device, such as a data storage server.
- Record and Playback Data Storage Server System Component (RPDSsc)
Record and Playback Data Storage Server System Component (RPDSsc) provides remote file-I/O capabilities for high-speed file I/O applications. The RPDSsc serves as both a data sink for acquired data and a data source for generated signals.
- Terminology and Concepts
Learn about RF Playback Software fundamentals.