Lhlker/Listener Mode; Pass-Control Mode; Analyzer Bus Modes - HP 8753E Programming And Command Reference Manual

directly control peripherals (plotters, printers, disk drives, power meters,
etc.) and the analyzer may plot, print, store on disk or perform power
meter functions.
Note
Do not attempt to use this mode for programming. HP
recommends using an external instrument controller
when programming. See the following section,
This is the mode that is normally used for remote programming of the
analyzer. In talker/listener mode, the analyzer and all peripheral devices
are controlled from an external instrument controller. The controller
can command the analyzer to talk and other devices to listen. The
analyzer and peripheral devices cannot talk directly to each other unless
the computer sets up a data path between them. This mode allows
the analyzer to act as either a talker or a listener, as required by the
controlling computer for the particular operation in progress.

pass-Control Mode

This mode allows the computer to control the analyzer via HP-IB (as
with the talker/listener mode), but also allows the analyzer to take
control of the interface in order to plot, print, or access a disk. During
an analyzer-controlled peripheral operation, the host computer is free to
perform other internal tasks (i.e. data or display manipulation) while
the analyzer is controlling the bus. After the analyzer-controlled task is
completed, the analyzer returns control to the system controller.
Note
Performing an instrument preset does not affect the
selected bus mode, although the bus mode will return
to talker/listener mode if the line power is cycled.
Note
"Specifications and Measurement Uncertainties" in the
HP 8753E Network Analyzer User's Guide provides
information on setting the correct bus mode from the
front-panel menu.

Analyzer Bus Modes

As discussed earlier, under HP-IB control, the analyzer can operate in
one of three modes: talker/listener, pass-control, or system-controller
mode.
HP-IB Prograrmm 'ng and Command Reference Guide