Tektronix, Inc.

Philip K Jansen

Erik J Johnson

Clifford E Baker

John B Rettig

David H Olson

Marvin E LaVoie

Ray Zandonatti

A probe or accessory incorporating the features of the subject invention includes a communications arrangement for communicating topology-related data to a host instrument connected to the probe or accessory. The topology-related data describes the probe or accessory as a network comprising multiple paths from the probe tip to host instrument input connector. Each path is associated with a feature of the probe or accessory, and only one path may be active at any given time. Each feature is described by a unique number, called a &ldquo;tag&rdquo;. New tags may be assigned when necessary so long as existing tags are not disturbed. A probe or accessory in accordance with the subject invention transmits a list of &ldquo;Required Tags&rdquo; to the host instrument. Each required tag is associated with a pathway within the probe or accessory. The host instrument may only exercise those paths for which all required tags are understood, or those for which no required tag is designated. Tags which are not understood by the host instrument, but which also do not appear in the required tags list, are to be ignored by the host instrument.

Apparatus and method for providing forward and backward compatibility between a host instrument and an accessory

An electronic accessory assembly to be used with a host electronic instrument provides previously recorded data from a non-volatile memory as to the accessory's operational capabilities. This memory is accessed by a host device either when the host device is powered up, or when an new accessory is connected to the host device. The host device then uses this information along with the operational requirements of the user to set the operational parameters of the accessory/host combination to optimally perform the functions required by the user.

Accessory with internal adjustments controlled by host

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Philip K Jansen