Instruction manual

DISCRETE PARAMETERS:

Discrete parameters are used to program settings that have a limited number

of values (like BUS, EXTernal, NORmal, and INVerted). They have a short forms 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 instrument will accept “OFF” or “0”. For a true

condition this instrument will accept “ON” or “1”. When you query a Boolean setting,

the instrument will always return a “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.

6.5.2 Input Message Terminators

Program Messages sent to an SCPI instrument must terminate with a <

NEWLINE > character. The IEEE-488 EOI (END OR IDENTITY) signal is interpreted

as a < NEWLINE > character and may also be used to terminate a message in

place of the < NEWLINE > character. Many programming languages allow you to

specify a message terminator character or EOI state to be automatically sent with

each BUS transaction. Message termination will always set the current path back to

the root-level.

6.5.3 SCPI Goals

The goal of Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) is to

reduce Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) program development time. SCPI accom-

plishes this goal by providing a consistent programming environment for instrument

control and data usage. This consistent

Programming environment is achieved by the use of defined program mes-

sages, instrument responses and data formats across all SCPI instruments, regard-

less of manufacturer.

The advantage of SCPI for the ATE system programmer is reducing the time

learning how to program new SCPI instruments after programming their first SCPI

instrument.

By providing a consistent programming environment, replacing one SCPI

instrument with another SCPI instrument in an ATE system will usually require less

effort than with non-SCPI instruments.