Dual-band instrument communication to achieve high bandwidth and low latency

A method, comprising:

• determining, in a first test and measurement instrument, whether communication with a second test and measurement is necessary;
• determining, in the first test and measurement instrument, a type of the communication that is necessary;
• selecting, in the first test and measurement instrument, based on the type of communication, one of a high-bandwidth communication link having a first latency coupled between the first and second test and measurement instruments and a low-latency communication link also coupled between the first and second test and measurement instruments that is independent of the high-bandwidth communication link and has a second latency that is less than the first latency for communication with the second test and measurement instrument;
• and
• communicating, over the selected high-bandwidth communication link or low-latency communication link, with the second test and measurement instrument.

A test and measurement system, comprising:

• a first test and measurement instrument;
• a plurality of additional test and measurement instruments;
• and
• a dual-band communication link coupled between the first test and measurement instrument and the plurality of additional test and measurement instruments, the dual-band communication link configured to provide a high-bandwidth communication link having a first latency to transfer test data between the first test and measurement instrument and each of the plurality of additional test and measurement instruments, and the dual-band communication link further configured to provide a low-latency communication link that is independent of the high-bandwidth communication link, the low-latency communication link having a second latency that is less than the first latency to communicate control commands between the first test and measurement instrument and each of the plurality of additional test and measurement instruments.