Scpi Command Overview; Syntax; Symbol Description - Rigol DS1000Z Series Programming Manual

Chapter 1 Programming Overview

SCPI Command Overview

SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is a standardized instrument programming
language that is built upon the standard IEEE488.1 and IEEE 488.2 and conforms to various standards
(such as the floating point operation rule in IEEE754 standard, ISO646 7-bit coded character for
information interchange (equivalent to ASCll programming)). The SCPI commands provide a hierarchical
tree structure. Each command subsystem consists of a root keyword and on or more sub-keywords.

Syntax

The command string usually starts with ":"; the keywords are separated by ":" and are followed by the
parameter settings available; "?" is added at the end of the command string to indicate query; the
command and parameter are separated by space.
For example,
:ACQuire:TYPE <type>
:ACQuire:TYPE?
ACQuire is the root keyword of the command. TYPE is the second-level keyword. The command string starts
with ":" which is also used to separate the multiple-level keywords. <type> represents the parameters
available for setting. "?" represents query. The command :ACQuire:TYPE and parameter <type> are
separated by space.
"," is generally used for separating multiple parameters contained in the same command, for example,
:TRIGger:PATTern:PATTern <pattern1>,<pattern2>,<pattern3>,<pattern4>

Symbol Description

The following symbols will not be sent with the commands.
1. Braces {}
The parameters enclosed in the braces are optional and are usually separated by the vertical bar "|".
When using the command, one of the parameters must be selected.
2. Vertical Bar |
The vertical bar is used to separate multiple parameters and one of the parameters must be selected
when using the command.
3. Square Brackets []
The content in the square brackets can be omitted.
4. Triangle Brackets <>
The parameter enclosed in the triangle brackets must be replaced by an effective value.
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