Programmer’s Guide 9-13
Introduction to SCPI
Parameter Types
String Parameters
String parameters can contain virtually any set of ASCII characters. The
string must begin with a single quote ( ' ) or a double quote ( " ) and
end with the same character (called the delimiter). The delimiter can be
included as a character (embedded) inside the string by typing it twice
without any characters in between. For example:
OUTPUT 716;"DISP:ANN:TITL:DATA 'DUT''S PHASE'"
<string> is used in this document to denote a string parameter.
An example of a command that uses a string parameter is the
CONFIGURE command:
OUTPUT 716;"CONFIGURE 'FILTER:TRANSMISSION'"
Some of the string parameters used by the analyzer, like
'FILTER:TRANSMISSION' in the example above, follow the same rules
that apply to mnemonics. They may have branching
('FILTER:REFLECTION' is a related command) and abbreviated
versions.
Query Response
The response when a string parameter is queried is a string. The only
difference is that the response string will only use double quotes as
delimiters. Embedded double quotes may be present in string response
data. When the string follows the "SCPI" mnemonic rules, the string
returned in response to a query is in the abbreviated form. An example is
the response to the configuration status of the analyzer (after executing
the last command).
OUTPUT 716;"CONFIGURE?"
returns the value "FILT:TRAN".
Block Parameters
Block parameters are typically used to transfer large quantities of
related data (like a data trace). Blocks can be sent as definite length
blocks or indefinite length blocks — the instrument will accept either
form. For more information on block data transfers refer to Chapter 4,
“Data Types and Encoding.” <block> is used in this document to denote
a block parameter.
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