Remotely getting data from an 8902A Keypad

[Tony_G]

Hey All,

I ran over a mention of some old software for the 8902A (actually the full test system setup 8902S):

Under the control of the HP 11794A Software Pac, the HP 8902S Measurement System functions as a single instrument. You select the frequency and measurement from the front panel of the HP 8902A. The software then calculates and sets the local oscillator frequency, then releases the HP 8902A to make the measurement and display the results.

Does anyone happen to know how this would be done? I can't seem to find the right commands in either the 8902A or HP Basic 6.3 manuals to do this.

Thinking about how it might be done I came up with:

• 8902A Command that gathers data from the keypad
• 8902A Command that asks the user for some setting value and then the software reads that value and resets it
• Same as the above but the command generates an SRQ when the value changes
• 8902A "undocumented" mode that echoes the keypad to the HPIB port
• 8902A diagnostic mode that returns front panel keypress info via HPIB
• 8902A register that holds last keypad entry even when keypad under lockout
• HP Basic command that tells the device to get user input
• Some combination of the above

I have a viper card so I could just run the original software to see what it issues on the bus but I can't seem to find a copy of it.

Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks,

TonyG