External Computer Control - HP 8712ET User Manual Supplement

Configuring Your Test System
Measurement System Configurations and Considerations

External Computer Control

You can use an external computer to control your analyzer or test system
by using the LAN or HP-IB interface on your analyzer. Additionally, you
can use an external computer in conjunction with the analyzer's internal
CPU running IBASIC for optimum throughput. (For more information on
using the LAN interface, refer to The LAN Interface User's Guide
Supplement.)
External Computer Alone
In this configuration, the measurement is controlled by a computer
external to the analyzer, using the LAN or the HP-IB interface. The
measurement setup and control can be highly automated and designed
for optimum throughput. Data can be automatically collected and
analyzed in order to monitor quality and processes. You can connect one
or more analyzers to each computer. Since the computer can be
connected to other computers via a Local Area Network (LAN),
measurement statistics can be easily tracked and archived using
computer applications.
Configure your system as an analyzer controlled by an external
computer if you would like to
• centralize automation and application programs
• develop a more sophisticated data collection system
• add networking capability
Figure 2-2 Network Analyzer Controlled by a Computer
Automating Measurements 2-5