Agilent Technologies N5171B User Manual

6 Agilent X-Series Signal Generators SCPI Command Reference
SCPI Basics
SCPI Basics
Command Types
Commands can be separated into two groups: common commands and subsystem commands. Figure
1- 1, shows the separation of the two command groups.
Common commands are used to manage status registers, synchronization, and data storage and are
defined by IEEE 488.2. They are easy to recognize because they all begin with an asterisk. For
example *IDN?, *OPC, and *RST are common commands. Common commands are not part of any
subsystem and the signal generator interprets them in the same way, regardless of the current path
setting.
Subsystem commands are distinguished by the colon (:). The colon is used at the beginning of a
command statement and between keywords, as in :FREQuency[:CW?]. Each command subsystem is a
set of commands that roughly correspond to a functional block inside the signal generator. For
example, the power subsystem (:POWer) contains commands for power generation, while the status
subsystem (:STATus) contains commands for controlling status registers.
Figure 1-1 Command Types
Command Tree
Most programming tasks involve subsystem commands. SCPI uses a structure for subsystem
commands similar to the file systems on most computers. In SCPI, this command structure is called
a command tree and is shown in Figure 1- 2.

Agilent Technologies N5171B Specifications

General

Frequency Range	9 kHz to 6 GHz
Frequency Resolution	0.01 Hz
Amplitude Accuracy	±0.5 dB
I/Q Modulation	Yes
Waveform Playback	Yes
Display	Color LCD
Modulation Types	AM, FM, PM, Pulse
Interface	LAN, USB, GPIB

Summary

1 SCPI Basics

SCPI Command Syntax and Structure

Explains common terms, command syntax, types, tree structure, parameters, responses, and program messages.

2 Basic Function Commands

3 System Commands

4 Analog Modulation Commands

Amplitude Modulation Subsystem–Option UNT

Details commands for amplitude modulation, including depth, track, step, external coupling, and impedance.

Frequency Modulation Subsystem–Option UNT

Covers commands for frequency modulation, including external coupling, impedance, dual function, shape, and frequency.

Phase Modulation Subsystem–Option UNT

Details commands for phase modulation, including bandwidth, external coupling, impedance, dual function, and shape.

5 Arb Commands

Dmodulation Subsystem–N5172B/82B with Option 431

Details commands for Dmodulation, including baseband frequency offset, filters, and noise settings.

Dual ARB Subsystem–N5172B/82B

Explains commands for Dual ARB, including baseband frequency offset, clipping, header, and noise parameters.

Multitone Subsystem–N5172B/82B

6 Digital Signal Interface Module Commands

Digital Subsystem—Option 003 and 004

7 Real–Time Commands

AWGN Real–Time Subsystem–Option 403

Custom Subsystem–Option 431

Phase Noise Subsystem–Option 432