Abstract:IEEE 1641 (STD) is a new standard developed by IEEE SCC20 for signal-oriented test. This paper first analyzes signal static model and event signal definition proposed by the standard, and combs common trigger modes of programmable instruments. Next, illustrated by the example of arbitrary waveform generator SC53204-J, it studies instrument synchronization control methods based on IEEE 1641 standard, and discusses instruments capability modeling, instruments driver programming and signal resource management. Finally, it verifies the method by experiments. The method has been applied on a software platform of an automatic test equipment. Application results show that this method implements signal-oriented instrument synchronization controlling, and has strong applicability and wide application prospect.