Abstract: At present, a large space environment simulator is equipped with multiple models of data acquisition systems, responsible for a comprehensive test of a variety of data signals. With the Keithley3706 data acquisition system as the object, this paper discusses the principle and the composition of a data acquisition system. Based on the research of the IVI driver, an acquisition software is designed in the VB6.0 development environment. The design process of the IVI driver and the software code are presented. It is shown that the development efficiency is improved with the introduction of IVI driver, and the cost of research is notably reduced. The hardware independence of the data acquisition system is realized.