Technical data

Power Meter Remote Operation 1

N1911A/1912A P-Series Power Meters Programming Guide 71

An Introduction to the SCPI Language

Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) defines how

you communicate with an instrument from a bus controller. The SCPI

language uses a hierarchical structure similar to the file systems used by

many bus controllers. The command tree is organized with root- level

commands (also called subsystems) positioned at the top, with multiple

levels below each root- level command. You must specify the complete path

to execute the individual lower- level commands.

Figure 1-10 Hierarchical structure of SCPI

Mnemonic Forms

Each keyword has both a long and a short form. A standard notation is

used to differentiate the short form keyword from the long form keyword.

The long form of the keyword is shown, with the short form portion

shown in uppercase characters, and the rest of the keyword shown in

lowercase characters. For example, the short form of TRIGger is TRIG.

Using a Colon (:)

When a colon is the first character of a command keyword, it indicates

that the next command mnemonic is a root- level command. When a colon

is inserted between two command mnemonics, the colon moves the path

“B” Subsystem

:G :I:H

:N=:B:H:N

“A” S ubs ystem

:D:F:E

“C” Subsystem

:J :L=:C:L:K