Section 2: Using the front-panel interface
Series 3700A System Switch/Multimeter User's Manual
Emulate a Model 3706
If you replace a Model 3706 with a Model 3706A in a system where computer drivers may be
querying the model, you may need to emulate a Model 3706. This can occur if you replace a Model
3706 with a Model 3706A in an existing system, or if you duplicate a system but use a Model 3706A
instead of a Model 3706.
When this is set to emulate a Model 3706, the model number is reported as a 3706 when you send a
request with a command such as
localnode.model
or
*idn?
. This allows drivers that query the
model number to continue to operate normally.
This setting is maintained through an instrument reset and through power cycles.
To emulate a Model 3706 using the front panel menus:
1. If the instrument is being controlled remotely, press
EXIT
to allow control from the front panel.
2. Press
MENU
.
to display and select
EMULATION
.
3. Use navigation wheel
4. Select
3706
.
5. Press
ENTER
.
You can also use the remote command
localnode.emulation
to set emulation.
NOTE
All other Model 3706A behavior is the same. Emulation mode does not affect the changes to the
IEEE-1588 features or the response times that occurred with the update from the Model 3706 to the
Model 3706A.
Channel patterns
You can use channel patterns as a convenient way to refer to a group of switching channels and
backplane relays with a single alphanumeric name. When you perform close or open operations on a
channel pattern, only the channels and analog backplane relays that are in the channel pattern are
affected.
There is no speed difference when performing close and open operations on channel patterns
compared to performing the same operations on individual channels or a list of channels.
Create a channel pattern
When you create a channel pattern, make sure to:
•
Include all the channels and backplane relays that are needed for that channel pattern.
•
Check that channels contained in the pattern are correct.
•
Check that channels contained in the pattern create the desired path connection.
•
Make sure that channels that you want to include in the pattern are not set to forbidden to close.
2-10
3700AS-900-01 Rev. A / July 2011