3-10
Remote Operation
Model 6517A Getting Started Manual
Command syntax
Notice in the preceding examples that there is no colon character at the beginning of the
commands. A leading colon instructs the Model 6517A to interpret the command starting
at the root (highest level) of the command tree. Since the Model 6517A also starts at the
root each time you send it a new command, the leading colon is not needed (although the
instrument will accept it if you send it).
You can send multiple commands in a single message. You separate the commands with a
semicolon character. When the Model 6517A encounters a command following a
semicolon, it attempts to interpret the command starting at the level of the previous
command, unless you precede the second command with a colon. For example, either of
the following command strings programs the Model 6517A to the 20V range and uses 5V
as a relative value (with the REFerence commands):
volt[:dc]:rang 20;ref 5;ref:stat on
volt]:dc]:rang 20;:volt[:dc]:ref 5;:volt[:dc]:ref:stat on
The two command strings are treated identically by the Model 6517A. In the first string
when the instrument encounters
";ref 5"
, it notices the following:
•
It is not the first command in the string.
•
There is no leading colon on the command.
•
The previous command was at the
VOLTage[:DC]
level.
Therefore, it interpret s the command as if it were at the
VOLTage[:DC]
level.
SCPI signal oriented commands
Signal oriented commands are used to acquire readings using a set of high-level instruc-
tions to control the measurement process. The two most commonly used commands are
:FETCh?
and
:MEASure?
.
Details on all signal oriented commands are covered in Section 3 in the User’s Manual.
:FETCh?
This query command is used to request the latest post-processed reading. After sending
this command and addressing the Model 6517A to talk, the reading will be sent to the
computer. This command does not trigger a measurement, it simply requests the last avail-
able reading.
:MEASure[:<function>]?
In general, this command places the instrument in the “one-shot” measurement mode
(ARM indicator off), triggers a single measurement, and then performs a
:FETCh?
.
Summary of Contents for 6517A
Page 12: ...1 FrontPanelOperation...
Page 36: ...2 MeasurementOptions...
Page 67: ...3 RemoteOperation...
Page 96: ...4 SpecsandAccessories...
