Operating instructions

R&S ESCI Introduction
1166.6004.12 5.1 E-1
5 Remote Control - Basics
In this chapter you'll find:
• instructions on how to put the R&S ESCI into operation via remote control,
• a general introduction to remote control of programmable instruments. This includes the description
of the command structure and syntax according to the SCPI standard, the description of command
execution and of the status registers,
• diagrams and tables describing the status registers used in the R&S ESCI.
In chapter 6, all remote control functions are described in detail. The subsystems are listed by
alphabetical order according to SCPI. All commands and their parameters are listed by alphabetical
order in the command list at the end of chapter 6.
Program examples for the R&S ESCI can be found in chapter 7.
The remote control interfaces and their interface functions are described in Chapter 8.
Introduction
The instrument is equipped with an IEC-bus interface according to standard IEC 625.1/IEEE 488.2 and
a RS-232 interface. The connectors are located at the rear of the instrument and permit to connect a
controller for remote control. In addition, the instrument can be remotely controlled in a local area
network (LAN interface) if option B16 is installed.
The instrument supports the SCPI:version 1997.0 (Standard Commands for Programmable
Instruments). The SCPI standard is based on standard IEEE 488.2 and aims at the standardization of
device-specific commands, error handling and the status registers (see Section "SCPI Introduction").
The tutorial "Automatic Measurement Control – A tutorial on SCPI and IEEE 488.2" from John M. Pieper
(R&S order number 0002.3536.00) offers detailed information on concepts and definitions of SCPI. For
remote control in a network, information will be found in the relevant section, "Remote Control in a
Network (RSIB Interface)".
This section assumes basic knowledge of IEC/IEEE bus programming and operation of the controller. A
description of the interface commands can be obtained from the relevant manuals.
The requirements of the SCPI standard placed on command syntax, error handling and configuration of
the status registers are explained in detail in the following sections. Tables provide a fast overview of the
bit assignment in the status registers. The tables are supplemented by a comprehensive description of
the status registers.
The program examples for IEC-bus programming are all written in VISUAL BASIC.