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Chapter 4  Remote Interface Reference
The SCPI Status System
4
The Status Byte Register 
The Status Byte summary register reports conditions from the other 
status registers. Data that is waiting in the function generator’s output 
buffer is immediately reported on the “Message Available” bit (bit 4). 
Clearing an event register from one of the other register groups will clear 
the corresponding bits in the Status Byte condition register. Reading all 
messages from the output buffer, including any pending queries, will 
clear the “Message Available” bit. To set the enable register mask and 
generate an SRQ (service request), you must write a decimal value to the 
register using the *SRE command. 
Bit Definitions – Status Byte Register 
Bit Number
Decimal
Value Definition
0 Not Used
1 Not Used
2 Error Queue
3 Questionable Data
4 Message Available
5 Standard Event
6 Master Summary
7 Not Used
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
Not Used. Returns “0”.
Not Used. Returns “0”.
One or more errors are stored in the 
Error Queue.
One or more bits are set in the Questionable 
Data Register (bits must be enabled). 
Data is available in the instrument’s output buffer.
One or more bits are set in the Standard Event 
Register (bits must be enabled). 
One or more bits are set in the Status Byte 
Register (bits must be enabled). 
Not Used. Returns “0”.
33210A users guide.book  Page 251  Wednesday, July 16, 2008  11:16 AM