Creating Downloadable Programs

This chapter tells how to store a series of commands in internal memory to form new, custom-made commands or user-de￿ned functions called downloadable programs (DLPs). The looping and conditional constructs, REPEAT/UNTIL and IF/THEN/ELSE, and the interrupt functions, ABORT and RETURN, are also described.

DLPs have many applications. They are ideal for repetitive measurements, and make it possible to conduct complicated measurements with the press of a single front-panel key.

When a DLP is operating, HP-IB operation is not suspended. This leaves the computer free to control other devices on the bus while the OSA measures, processes, and stores data.

In addition, the operation of DLPs does not require a computer; the functions can be activated with the OSA keys. This is useful for smaller test systems, where custom keys help create a friendly user interface to simplify test procedures.

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