1261B User Manual
Racal Instruments
Ó
1995
SCPI Command Reference 5-1
Chapter 5
SCPI COMMAND REFERENCE
What’s In This
Chapter
This chapter contains reference information for programming the
Model 1261B Enhanced Monitoring System (EMS). Standard
Commands For Programmable Instruments (SCPI) convention
rules and syntax are explained in detail.
Table 5-1
lists all SCPI
commands used for programming the EMS. The command
summary for each SCPI model is also included in this chapter.
This chapter teaches you how to use SCPI commands to control
functions, modes, waveforms and other aspects of the
instrument. Prior understanding of SCPI programming is
necessary for low level programming of the EMS.
Introduction To
SCPI Language
Commands to program the instrument over the VXIbus and RS-
232 interfaces are defined by the SCPI 1994.0 standard. The
SCPI standard defines a common language protocol. It goes one
step further than IEEE-STD-488.2 and defines a standard set of
commands to control every programmable aspect of the
instrument. It also defines the format of command parameters
and the format of values returned by the instrument.
SCPI is an ASCII-based instrument command language
designed for test and measurement instruments. SCPI
commands are based on a hierarchical structure known as a tree
system. In this system, associated commands are grouped
together under a common mode or root, thus forming
subsystems. Throughout this chapter, the following conventions
are used for SCPI command syntax.
Square Brackets ( [ ] )
Enclose optional keywords or
parameters
Braces ( { } )
Enclose parameters within a
command string
Triangle Brackets ( < > )
Substitute a value for the
enclosed parameter
Vertical Bar ( | )
Separate multiple parameter
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