Agilent Technologies 34420A, User Manual

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SCPI Data Types
The
SCPI
language defines different data formats for use in program
messages and response messages. Instruments are flexible listeners and
can accept commands and parameters in various formats. However,
SCPI
instruments are precise talkers. This means that
SCPI
instruments will
always respond to a particular query in a predefined, rigid format.
Numeric Parameters Commands that require numeric parameters will
accept all commonly used decimal representations of numbers including
optional signs, decimal points, and scientific notation. Special values for
numeric parameters like
MAXimum
,
MINimum
, and
DEFault
are also
accepted. You can also send engineering unit suffixes (M, k, or u) with
numeric parameters. If only specific numeric values are accepted, the
meter will automatically round the input numeric parameters.
Discrete Parameters Discrete parameters are used to program settings
that have a limited number of values (like
BUS
,
IMMediate
,
EXTernal
).
They have a short form and a long form just like command keywords. You
can mix upper-case and lower-case letters. Query responses will
always
return the short form in upper-case letters.
Boolean Parameters Boolean parameters represent a single binary
condition that is either true or false. For a false condition, the meter will
accept “
OFF
” or “0”. For a true condition, the meter will accept “
ON
” or
“1”. When you query a boolean setting, the instrument will always return
“0” or “1”.
String Parameters String parameters can contain virtually any set of
ASCII
characters. A string must begin and end with matching quotes;
either with a single quote or with a double quote. You can include the
quote delimiter as part of the string by typing it twice without any
characters in between.
4
Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference
An Introduction to the SCPI Language
185