Introduction To Scpi; Conventions Used In This Guide; Types Of Scpi Commands - Keysight Technologies N3301A Programming Manual

Introduction to SCPI

SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is a programming language for controlling
instrument functions over the GPIB and RS-232 interface. SCPI is layered on top of the hardware-portion
of IEEE 488.2. The same SCPI commands and parameters control the same functions in different
classes of instruments.

Conventions Used in This Guide

Angle brackets <
Vertical bar |
Square Brackets [
Braces { }
Computer font

Types of SCPI Commands

SCPI has two types of commands, common and subsystem.
♦ Common commands generally are not related to specific operation but to controlling overall
electronic load functions, such as reset, status, and synchronization. All common commands
consist of a three-letter mnemonic preceded by an asterisk: *RST
♦ Subsystem commands perform specific electronic load functions. They are organized into an
inverted tree structure with the "root" at the top. The following figure shows a portion of a
subsystem command tree, from which you access the commands located along the various
paths. You can see the complete tree in Appendix A.
ROOT
> Items within angle brackets are parameter abbreviations. For example,
<NR1> indicates a specific form of numerical data.
Vertical bars separate alternative parameters. For example, NORM | TEXT
indicates that either "TEXT" or "NORM" can be used as a parameter.
] Items within square brackets are optional. The representation [SOURce:].
VOLTage means that SOURce: may be omitted.
Braces indicate parameters that may be repeated zero or more times. It is
used especially for showing arrays. The notation <A>{<,B>} shows that
parameter "A" must be entered, while parameter "B" may be omitted or
may be entered one or more times.
Computer font is used to show program lines in text.
OUTPUT 723 "TRIGger:COUNt:CURRent 10" shows a program line.
:CURRent [:LEVel]
:MODE
:PROTection
:STATus :OPERation
Figure 2-1. Partial Command Tree
Introduction to Programming - 2
*IDN? *SRE 8
[:IMMediate]
[:LEVel]
:DELay
[:EVENt]?
:CONDition?
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