11  Programming Examples 
11.1  Introduction 
This chapter contains examples on how to program the AC source.  Simple examples show 
you how to program: 
  Output functions such as voltage and frequency 
  Measurement functions 
The examples in this chapter use generic SCPI commands. See Section 9 for information 
about encoding the commands as language strings.  Where appropriate, optional commands 
are shown for clarity in the examples. 
11.2  Bus Throughput and Timing Considerations 
The 2003RP has a limit on how fast it can process commands sent over the bus. When 
developing an application program that controls the 2003RP AC source, this must be 
considered. Specifically, if non-query commands (commands that don‟t wait for a response 
such as output setup commands) are sent at too high a rate, the AC source may not be able 
to process them. In that case, a –100 Command Error will be reported.  
This condition may exist on both RS232 and GPIB interface modes and is more prone when 
faster controllers are used to run the application software. To prevent this condition, it will be 
necessary to space out successive commands using a 20 msec delay. Alternatively, 
commands could be sent to other instruments in the same system to accomplish the same 
result. 
Example: 
VOLT 100 
delay(0.020) 
FREQ 60 
Alternatively, a query command can be inserted in which case no additional delays are 
needed. 
VOLT 100 
SYST:ERR? 
FREQ 60