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Chapter 5 Remote Interface Reference
About the SCPI Language
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5
Parameters
These are parameter types used with the SCPI language:
Parameters shown within square brackets ([ ]) are optional. (Note that
the brackets are not part of the command and are not sent to the
instrument.) If you do not specify a value for an optional parameter, the
instrument uses the default value. For example, consider the
ARM:COUNt?[<MIN|MAX>] command. If you send the command without
specifying a parameter, the present ARM:COUNt setting is returned. If
you send the MIN parameter, the command returns the minimum count
available. If you send the MAX parameter, the command returns the
maximum count available. Be sure to place a space between the
command and the parameter.
Linking Commands
To link IEEE 488.2 Common Commands with SCPI Commands, use a
semicolon between the commands. For example:
*RST;CONF:EXT:OUTP ON or TRIG:SOUR HOLD;*TRG
To link multiple SCPI commands, use both a semicolon and a colon
between the commands. For example:
ARM:COUN 1;:TRIG:SOUR EXT
Parameter Type Description
Numeric Accepts all commonly used decimal representations of number including
optional signs, decimal points, and scientific notation.
123, 123E2, -123, -1.23E2, .123, 1.23E-2, 1.23000E-01.
Special cases include MINimum, MAXimum, and DEFault.
Boolean Represents a single binary condition that is either true or false.
ON, OFF, 1, 0
Discrete Selects from a finite number of values. These parameters use mnemonics to
represent each valid setting.
An example is the TRIGger:SOURce <source> command
where source can be BUS, EXT, HOLD, or IMM.