I tried to do this myself at one time, but I was unable to do that
because I could not find the specs for talking to the external drive
units. But you can use the computer for storing instrument states and
calibration.
We've got an 8720C, and it has a command to Input (and Output) it's
learn string. The learn string is essentially a system state. It does
not contain the calibration information, but we'll get to that. So you
can just store the learn strings on the computer, and send the one you
want to the analyzer.
Now, on to calibration. The analyzer I have allows me to set it
calibration numbers manually. I have heard reports that some analyzers
will let you send the numbers, but recalibrate themselves right after.
This of course does no good, an
d negates the purpose for storing
calibration numbers. Anyway, there are also commands you can use to
input (and output) the calibration numbers. The number of cal constants
is dependent on your type of calibration. On the 8720, a full 2-port
calibration takes 12 constants.
There are a number of drivers that already have the system state (and
calibration) code written (at least for the 8720). The Labview code
works well (I think), but I wrote my own anyway.
In response to responding to buttons on the analyzer itself, I don't
know of a direct way, but you could possibly use the computer to monitor
keypresses on the analyzer, then when the appropriate key is pressed, to
load the state (and calibration, if needed) from the computer.
Hope this helps,
Kevin Mescher
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