MS20xxC PM PN: 10580-00306 Rev. E 2-1
Chapter 2 — Programming with SCPI
2-1 Introduction
This chapter provides an introduction to SCPI programming that includes descriptions of the
command types, hierarchical command structure, command subsystems, data parameters,
and notational conventions.
2-2 Introduction to SCPI Programming
The Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) defines a set of standard
programming commands for use by all SCPI-compatible instruments. SCPI is intended to
give the user a consistent environment for program development. It does so by defining
controller messages, instrument responses, and message formats for all SCPI-compatible
instruments. SCPI commands are messages to the instrument to perform specific tasks. The
MS20xxC command set includes:
• “SCPI Common Commands” on page 2-2
• “SCPI Required Commands” on page 2-3
• “SCPI Optional Commands” on page 2-3
Caution
Programs that receive SCPI commands may require support for Extended ASCII
character codes in order to display some of the returned characters, such as
Greek letter mu (µ). Some commands, for example, return the units of time in
microseconds (µs). In this Anritsu programming manual, the Greek letter mu is
represented by the English letter “u” to avoid typographic problems during
publication.
Note
The MS20xxC follows the SCPI standard but is not fully compliant with that
standard.
The main reason that MS20xxC is not fully compliant is because it does not
support all of the required SCPI commands, and because it uses some exceptions
in the use of short form and long form command syntax.
SCRE for SCREen and TYP for TYPE are two examples of the command short
forms that are used in MS20xxC in order to be compatible with older products.
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