B+K precision 830C, Instruction Manual

Page: 79 / 112

77
Command Protocols
Overview of Command Type and Format
All commands are entered in either the upper case or
the lower case. There are two types of the meter
programming commands: IEEE 488 common
commands and Standard Commands for
Programmable Instruments (SCPI). Some commands
are device-specific to the meter. They are not included
in the version 1999.0 of the SCPI standard. However,
these commands are designed with the SCPI format
in mind and they follow the syntax rules of the
standard.
Common Command Format
The IEEE 488 standard defines the common
commands as commands that perform functions like
reset and system query. Common commands usually
come with the asterisk “*” character, and may include
parameters. Some examples of Common command
like: *IDN?, GTL, LLO.
SCPI Command Format and Query Format
The SCPI commands control instrument functions. A
subsystem command has a hierarchical structure that
usually consists of a top-level (or root) keyword, one
or more lower level keywords, and parameters. The