Section 10: Instrument programming
Series 3700A System Switch/Multimeter Reference Manual
10-52
3700AS-901-01 Rev. D/June 2018
TSP-Link system expansion interface
The TSP-Link
®
expansion interface allows the Series 3700A instrument to communicate with other
Test Script Processor (TSP
®
) enabled instruments. The test system can be expanded to include up to
32 TSP-Link enabled instruments.
Combining two Series 3700A instruments to achieve greater currents in both source voltage
and source current applications requires specific precautions, including configuration
settings. Make sure that you adequately understand the risks involved and the measures
needed to accommodate the combination of two Series 3700A instruments. To prevent
damage to the Series 3700A, connected instruments, and the device under test, make sure
proper procedures are used. For further information, visit the
for application notes on combining two Series 3700A channels.
Master and subordinates
In a TSP-Link
®
system, one of the nodes (instruments) is the master node and the other nodes are
the subordinate nodes. The master node in a TSP-Link
®
system can control the other nodes
(subordinates) in the system.
When any node transitions from local operation to remote operation, it becomes the master of the
system. All other nodes also transition to remote operation and become its subordinates. When any
node transitions from remote operation to local, all other nodes also transition to local operation, and
the master/subordinate relationship between nodes is dissolved.
The expanded system can be stand-alone or computer-based.
Stand-alone system:
You can run a script from the front panel of any instrument (node) connected
to the system. When a script is run, all nodes in the system go into remote operation (REM indicators
turn on). The node running the script becomes the master and can control all of the other nodes,
which become its subordinates. When the script is finished running, all the nodes in the system return
to local operation (REM indicators turn off), and the master/subordinate relationship between nodes is
dissolved.
Computer-based system:
You can use a computer and a remote communications interface to any
single node in the system. This node becomes the interface to the entire system. When a command
is sent through this node, all nodes go into remote operation (REM indicators turn on). The node that
receives the command becomes the master and can control all of the other nodes, which become its
subordinates. In a computer-based system, the master/subordinate relationship between nodes can
only be dissolved by performing an abort operation.
