An Introduction To The Scpi Language - Agilent Technologies 33120A User Manual

Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference

An Introduction to the SCPI Language

An Introduction to the SCPI Language
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is an
-based instrument command language designed for test and
ASCII
measurement instruments. Refer to "Simplified Programming Overview,"
starting on page 136, for an introduction to the basic techniques used to
program the function generator 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:
FREQuency:
STARt {< frequency
FREQuency:
STARt? [MINimum|MAXimum]
FREQuency:
frequency
STOP {<
FREQuency:
STOP? [MINimum|MAXimum]
SWEep:
SPACing {LINear|LOGarithmic}
SWEep:
SPACing?
SWEep:
seconds
TIME {<
SWEep:
TIME? [MINimum|MAXimum]
SWEep:
STATe {OFF|ON}
SWEep:
STATe?
SOURce is the root keyword of the command, FREQuency and SWEep are
second-level keywords, and STARt and STOP are third-level keywords.
A colon ( : ) separates a command keyword from a lower-level keyword.
>|MINimum|MAXimum}
>|MINimum|MAXimum}
>|MINimum|MAXimum}
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