HP 53181A Programming Manual page 215

Commands Reference
Measurement Instructions (:CONFigure, :FETCh, :MEASure, :READ)
allowed to provide fine adjustments to the instrument state by issuing the
corresponding commands between the :CONFigure and :READ?.
When [:SCALar]:<function> is specified, the instrument will retrieve the specified
result if it matches the current measurement type or can be derived from the current
measurement type. The only functions which can be derived from a different
measurement type are:
• frequency to/from period,
• voltage minimum to/from voltage maximum,
• voltage minimum to/from voltage peak-to-peak, and
• voltage maximum to/from voltage peak-to-peak.
When [:SCALar]:<function> is omitted, the function specified/used by the last
:CONFigure, :MEASure, :READ, or FETCh will be used, if possible. This behavior
is apparent when switching between frequency and period, or when switching
among the voltage peaks functions.
Issuing this query while a measurement is in progress will result in this query
aborting the current measurement and idling the measurement cycle before
initiating the desired measurement, and then waiting for the measurement to
complete. Consequently, this has the effect of holding off further commands from
being processed until the desired measurement completes. This hold-off action can
only be canceled by the measurement completing, Device Clear, or power-on.
4-57