This paper presents a design scheme with the functions of data acquisi tion, signal imitation, analysis and display by using virtual instrument and aut omatic test. The standards of virtual instrument software architecture and IVI w ere used to realize the compatibility of nonNI Inc equipments with the LabVIEW platform, and the problems of reliability and scaleability were analyzed to meet the requirement of practical situation. An aircraft inlet electric system test instrument with the function of automatic insitu test was developed. The exper imental results show that the method is effective.