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29
Co
Brite
User Manual
7.3
Syntax conventions for commands
7.3.1
Long and short form
The key words feature a long form and a short form. Either the short form or the long form can
be entered in one command, other abbreviations are not permissible.
Example:
“
:SYStem:IPADDRess?
” is equal to “
IPADDR?
”
Note
: The short form is marked by upper-case letters; the long form corresponds to the
full expression. Upper-case and lower-case notation only serve the above purpose,
the instrument itself accept both upper-case and lowercase letters.
Note
: All commands are case insensitive. Long and short form may not be mixed within a
single command.
7.3.2
Query commands
Most commands serve a double function that allows either setting or executing a query on a
parameter.
Note
: Query commands are terminated by a “?” character.
7.3.3
Parameter
Parameters must be separated from the header by a
“white space”. If several parameters are
specified in a command they are separated by a comma
“,”.
7.3.4
Colon Character
A leading colon character
“:” instructs the instrument to interpret the command starting at the
root (highest level) of the command tree. Since the Instrument also starts at the root each time
you send it a new command, the leading colon is not required (although the instrument will
accept it if you send it).
7.3.5
Command Termination character
Each command must be terminated either by a “;” character or a carriage return (ASCII #13) to
signal completion of the command telegram to the controller.
Note
: Sending two termination characters is a common mistake causing the unit to
respond with “ERR 100;” since the first command is executed once the first
termination character is received and the second termination character causes the
unit to interpret an empty command. Example:
Command: “
wav 1550;
<CR
>”
Response “;<CR>
ERR 100, unknown command;
”
The unit will set wavelength 1550nm to port 1,1,1 but additionally receives the empty
command which causes the error response.
7.3.6
Acknowledgement of executed commands
The mainframe controller will always acknowledge successful execution of commands by a “;”
character. If the echo option is set (for details, see command list), the accordingly sent
command is returned first.
7.3.7
Laser port addressing scheme
Laser ports are addressed by a three-level port identifier that allows easy identification of the
port and are issued as parameters with according commands. Each level parameter is
separated by a “,” character.
