4 Remote Interface Reference
200 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
SCPI Data Types
The SCPI language defines different data formats for use in program messages
and response messages. Instruments are flexible listeners and can accept
commands and parameters in various formats. However, SCPI instruments are
precise talkers. This means that SCPI instruments will always respond to a
particular query in a predefined, rigid format.
Numeric Parameters Commands that require numeric parameters will accept
all commonly used decimal representations of numbers including optional signs,
decimal points, and scientific notation. Special values for numeric parameters like
MAXimum, MINimum, and DEFault are also accepted. You can also send
engineering unit suffixes (M, k, or u) with numeric parameters. If only specific
numeric values are accepted, the meter will automatically round the input
numeric parameters.
Discrete Parameters Discrete parameters are used to program settings that
have a limited number of values (like BUS, IMMediate, EXTernal). They have a
short form and a long form just like command keywords. You can mix upper-case
and lower-case letters. Query responses will always return the short form in
upper-case letters.
Boolean Parameters Boolean parameters represent a single binary condition
that is either true or false. For a false condition, the meter will accept “OFF” or “0”.
For a true condition, the meter will accept “ON” or “1”. When you query a boolean
setting, the instrument will always return “0” or “1”.
String Parameters String parameters can contain virtually any set of ASCII
characters. A string must begin and end with matching quotes; either with a
single quote or with a double quote. You can include the quote delimiter as part of
the string by typing it twice without any characters in between.
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