Table of Contents
Advertisement
NOTE
NOTE
8163A/B, 8164A/B & 8166A/B Mainframes Programming Guide
Data Types
With the commands you give parameters to the instrument and receive
response values from the instrument. Unless explicitly specified these data
are given in ASCII format. The following types of data are used:
•
Boolean data may only have the values 0 or 1.
•
Integer range is given for each individual command.
•
Float variables may be given in decimal or exponential writing (0.123 or
123E-3).
All Float values conform to the 32 bit IEEE Standard, that is, all Float
values are returned as 32-bit real values.
•
A string is contained between double quotes (
'
'
(
...
). When the instrument returns a string, it is always included in " "
and terminated by
•
When a register value is given or returned (for example *ESE), the
decimal values for the single bits are added. For example, a value of
nine means that bit 0 and bit 3 are set.
•
Larger blocks of data are given as Binary Blocks, preceded by
"#<H><Len><Block>", terminated by <END>; <H> represents the
number of digits, <Len> represents the number of bytes, and <Block> is
the data block. For example, for a Binary Block with 1 digit and 6 bytes
this is: #16TRACES<END>. The block represents an array of numbers.
Each number has the byte ordering least significant byte first, also
called LSBfirst, little-endian or Intel byte ordering.
Some programming environments, like VEE, support reading these binary blocks
directly, including selection of byte ordering. Other convenient ways can be
using the 816x VXI Plug&Play driver, or using the 816x Lightwave Command Set
together with the Keysight Command Expert for generating SCPI code. If the
VISA COM interface is used, then its IFormattedIO488 interface is very
convenient, setting the property InstrumentBigEndian to "false" and using the
READIEEEBlock method.
Note that within your program, calculations with wavelengths may require
double-precision 64-bit floats to provide the desired resolution.
Introduction to Programming
<END>
.
"
"
...
) or single quotes
1
17
Advertisement
Table of Contents
