Programmer’s Guide 11-3
SCPI Command Summary
Queries, Forms, and Parameter Types
Parameter Types
In the following tables, the FORM column gives the parameter type
returned by the instrument in response to a query. NR1, NR2 and NR3
refer to the different types of numeric data. CHAR (character data),
STRING (string data) and BLOCK (block data) are also used to describe
response types. The parameter types expected by the instrument as part
of a command are summarized below:
NR1 Integers (such as +1, 0, −1, 123, −12345)
NR2 Floating point numbers with an explicit decimal point
(such as 12.3, +1.234, −0.12345)
NR3 Floating point numbers in scientific notation (such as
+1.23E+5, +123.4E-3, -456.789E+6)
CHAR Character parameters (sometimes referred to as
discrete parameters) consisting of ASCII characters.
They are typically used for program settings that have
a finite number of values.
STRING 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.
BLOCK Block parameters are typically used to transfer large
quantities of related data (like a data trace).
Some numeric parameters may be followed by an appropriate suffix.
Commands that accept a suffix also allow standard metric multipliers to
be combined with the suffix. For example, commands that set a
frequency will accept HZ, KHZ, MHZ and GHZ. Commands that set a
time will accept S, MS, US, NS, PS, FS and AS. Note that case is ignored.
The multiplier "M" is interpreted as either milli- (10
-3
) or mega- (10
6
),
depending on context. If no suffix is included, the default units for the
parameter are used.
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