Models 707B and 708B Switching Matrix Reference Manual
Section 5: Remote commands
707B-901-01 Rev. A / August 2010
5-21
Migrating from Models 707A and 708A
Migrating Model 707A or 708A programs to Model 707B or 708B
This section is intended to assist you if you are migrating existing programs from the Model 707A or
708A to use the TSP programming syntax on the Model 707B or 708B.
The Model 707A and 708A instruments use device-dependent command (DDC) programming. The
Model 707B or 708B use the TSP scripting model. This section provides you with:
•
Command syntax differences
•
A brief explanation of some Model 707A and 708A model-specific terminology and its Model
707B or 708B equivalent
NOTE
Users who want to run programs using Model 707A or 708A DDC commands can run in Model 707A
or 708A compatibility mode. See
Using Models 707A and 708A compatibility mode
Platform differences
When writing a script for the Model 707B or 708B instrument, consider the following platform
differences.
Model 707A or 708A
Model 707B or 708B
Execution host
A computer sends commands
over GPIB from a user-
generated program such as
Visual Basic, C# or C/C++
A computer sends either
commands or user-generated
scripts over GPIB, USB, or
Ethernet. Scripts can also be run
from the front panel of the Model
707B or 708B.
Command structure
Single ASCII capital letter
commands, followed by
argument if necessary.
Descriptive, word-based
command and argument
structure using modern dot
notation format.
Store program flow control
Not possible; instrument can
only step sequentially through a
stored relay setup in response to
an external trigger.
TSP scripting environment
allows access to all Lua program
control structure operations,
such as for-next, if-then-else,
while-do, and repeat-until.
Execution host
One of the most significant differences between the Model 707A or 708A and Model 707B or 708B is
the ability to store user scripts on the instrument. Once loaded onto the instrument, these scripts can
be run without connection to a computer. This is different from the Model 707A or 708A, which could
only iterate through an existing stored relay setup if there was no connection to a computer. The
ability of the Model 707B or 708B to run scripts that are stored locally results in fast execution time
and no communications bottlenecks between the instrument and the computer.
