Computer Interface; Scpi Commands; Introduction To The Scpi Language - THORLABS PM100USB Operation Manual

PM100USB

7 Computer Interface

The PM100USB optical power meter has a USB 2.0 interface that allows to send commands
from a host computer to the instrument and vice versa. The connection between PC and
PM100USB is accomplished by a USB cable with a male type 'A' connector at the PC side and
a type 'Mini-B' connector on the instrument side.

7.1 SCPI Commands

SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is an ASCII-based instrument
command language designed for test and measurement instruments.
Note
The commands listed in this section are supported by a USBTMC protocol and can be used
with the instrument driver PM100D (NI-VISA™), since here, NI-VISA™ provides USBTMC. The
PM100D.dll is the instrument driver installed on you PC with software versions prior to May
2018.
Alternatively, the user can use the SCPI commands with the new TLPM.dll driver, as long as
the user establishes an USBTMC protocol.
In any case, the user can switch to the former instrument driver PM100D (NI-VISA™) to use the
SCPI-commands by using the Power Meter Driver Switcher that is installed with the Optical
Power Monitor software package. Please ensure to also install NI-VISA™ to use the driver
PM100D.dll.

7.1.1 Introduction to the SCPI Language

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 form-
ing subsystems. A portion of the SENSE subsystem is shown below to illustrate the tree sys-
tem.
[SENSe:]
CORRection
:COLLect
:ZERO
[:INITiate]
:ABORt
:STATe?
:MAGNitude?
:BEAMdiameter {MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault|<numeric_value>[mm]}
:BEAMdiameter? [{MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault}]
:WAVelength {MINimum|MAXimum|<numeric_value>[nm]}
:WAVelength? [{MINimum|MAXimum}]
:POWer
[:PDIode]
[:RESPonse] MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault|<numeric_value>[A]}
[:RESPonse]? [{MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault}]
:THERmopile
[:RESPonse] {MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault|<numeric_value>[V]}
[:RESPonse]? [{MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault}]
SENSe is the root keyword of the command, CORRection is the second-level keyword, and
COLLect and BEAMdiameter are third-level keywords, and so on.
A colon ( : ) separates a command keyword from a lower-level keyword.
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