Remote Interface Reference 4
Keysight E3633A and E3634A User’s Guide 143
An Introduction to the SCPI Language
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is an ASCII-based
instrument command language designed for test and measurement instruments.
Refer to “Simplified Programming Overview” on page 107 for an introduction to
the basic techniques used to program the power supply over the remote interface.
SCPI commands are based on a hierarchical structure, also known as a tree
system. In this system, associated commands are grouped together under a
common node or root, thus forming subsystems. A portion of the
SOURce
subsystem is shown below to illustrate the tree system.
[SOURce:]
CURRent {<current>|MIN|MAX|UP|DOWN}
CURRent? [MIN|MAX]
CURRent:
TRIGgered {<current>|MIN|MAX}
TRIGgered?{MIN|MAX}
VOLTage {<voltage>|MIN|MAX|UP|DOWN}
VOLTage? [MIN|MAX]
VOLTage:
TRIGgered {<voltage>|MIN|MAX}
TRIGgered? {MIN|MAX}
SOURce
is the root keyword of the command,
CURRent
and
VOLTage
are
second-level keywords, and
TRIGgered
is third-level keywords. A colon (:)
separates a command keyword from a lower-level keyword.