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Keysight M8070A Programming Guide
4
SCPI Command Language
SCPI Command Language - Introduction
The Serial BERT is compatible with the standard language for remote
control of instruments. Standard Commands for Programmable
Instruments (SCPI) is the universal programming language for instrument
control.
SCPI can be subdivided into the following command sets:
• SCPI Common Commands
• SCPI Instrument Control Commands
• IEEE 488.2 Mandatory Commands
SCPI Common Commands
This is a common command set. It is compatible with IEEE 488.2 and
contains general housekeeping commands. The common commands are
always preceded by an asterisk. A typical example is the reset command:
*RST
The IEEE 488.2 command set also contains query commands. Query
commands always end with a question mark.
SCPI Instrument Control Commands
The programming commands are compatible with the Standard
Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) standard. For more
detailed information regarding the GPIB, the IEEE 488.2 standard, or the
SCPI standard, refer to the following books:
• SCPI Consortium. SCPI- Standard Commands for Programmable
Instruments, 1997 (
http://www.scpiconsortium.org
).
• International Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. IEEE
Standard 488.1- 1987, IEEE Standard Digital Interface for
Programmable Instrumentation. New York, NY, 1987.
• International Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. IEEE
Standard 488.2- 1987, IEEE Standard Codes, Formats, Protocols and
Common commands For Use with ANSI/IEEE Std 488.1- 1987. New
York, NY, 1987.