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Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference
An Introduction to the SCPI Language
4
An Introduction to the SCPI Language
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is an
ASCII-based instrument command language designed for test and
measurement instruments. Refer to “Simplified Programming Overview”
starting on page 168, for an introduction to the basic techniques used to
program the function generator over the remote interface.
SCPI commands are based on a hierarchical structure, also known as a
tree system. In this system, associated commands are grouped together
under a common node or root, thus forming subsystems. A portion of the
SOURce subsystem is shown below to illustrate the tree system.
SOURce:
FREQuency
:STARt {<
frequency>|MINimum|MAXimum}
:STARt? [MINimum|MAXimum]
FREQuency
:STOP {<
frequency>|MINimum|MAXimum}
:STOP? [MINimum|MAXimum]
SWEep
:SPACing {LINear|LOGarithmic}
:SPACing?
SWEep
:TIME {<
seconds>|MINimum|MAXimum}
:TIME? [MINimum|MAXimum]
SWEep
:STATe {OFF|ON}
:STATe?
SOURce is the root keyword of the command, FREQuency and SWEep are
second-level keywords, and STARt and STOP are third-level keywords.
A colon ( : ) separates a command keyword from a lower-level keyword.
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