User`s manual

FORMat

The FORMat subsystem sets the format for data transferred from the multimeter to

the computer using the

MEASure?, READ?, and FETCh? commands.

Subsystem Syntax FORMat

[:DATA] <type>[,<length>]

[:DATA]

FORMat[:DATA] <type>[,<length>] selects the data format and length.

Parameters

Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units

<type>

discrete ASCii | REAL none

numeric 32 | 64 none

Comments

• ASCII readings are transferred in the form ± 1.234567E ± 123. Each reading is

followed by a comma(,). A line feed (LF) and End-Or-

Identify (EOI) follow the last reading. Each reading is 15 bytes.

• REAL reading lengths are 32- and 64-bits. The readings are transferred in the

IEEE 488.2-1987 Definite Length Arbitrary Block format. The readings are

preceded by an Arbitrary Block header which consists of:

# <non-zero digit> <block length>

<non-zero digit> indicates the number of digits representing

<block length>, and <block length> indicates the number of 8-bit data bytes

which follow the header. Examples of the header are shown below:

REAL,32 #240 <40 bytes> 10 readings

REAL,64 #18 <8 bytes> 1 reading

• *RST Condition: ASCii

Example Setting the Data Format

FORMAT REAL,64 !Format is set to REAL 64.

CONF:VOLT:DC 58.1

Chapter 5 Command Reference 140