Section 6: 9100 System Operation — SCPI Language
6-7
Final Width = 215mm
6.3.3
SCPI Programming Language
Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) is an instrument command
language which goes beyond IEEE 488.2 to address a wide variety of instrument
functions in a standard manner.
IEEE 488.2 defines sets of Mandatory Common Commands and Optional Common
Commands along with a method of Standard Status Reporting. The 9100 implementation
of SCPI language conforms with all IEEE-488.2 Mandatory Commands but not all
Optional Commands. It conforms with the SCPI-approved Status Reporting method.
Note: Commands in SCPI language, prefaced by an asterisk (eg:
∗
CLS), are IEEE-488.2
standard-defined ‘Common’ commands.
Conformance of the 9100 remote programming commands to SCPI ensures that the 9100
has a high degree of consistency with other conforming instruments. For most specific
commands, such as those relating to frequency and voltage, the SCPI approved command
structure already exists and has been used wherever possible.
SCPI commands are easy to learn, self-explanatory and account for a wide variety of
usage skills. A summary of the 9100 commands is given on pages 6-2 and 6-3. The full
range of 9100 commands, with their actions and meanings in the 9100, is detailed in
alphabetical order in Sub-Section 6-6.