Keysight U3606A, Programmer'S Reference Manual, Page: 23 / 372

Introduction to SCPI 1
SCPI Conventions and Data Formats
U3606A Programmer’s Reference 9
Data types and formats
The SCPI language defines different data formats for use in program
messages and response messages. Instruments are flexible listeners and
can accept commands and parameters in various formats. However,
SCPI- equipped instruments are precise talkers. This means that
SCPI- equipped instruments always respond to a particular query in a
predefined, rigid format.
Numeric
Parameters that accepts all commonly used decimal representations of
numbers including optional signs, and decimal points, scientific notations
(3e2 = 3 × 10
2
, 5.43e–3 = 5.43 × 10
–3
, or 10e6 = 10 × 10
6
), and engineering
notations (M, k, m,
μ
, n) Special values for numeric parameters such as
AUTO , MIN , MAX , and DEF are also accepted. If only specific numeric
values are accepted, the instrument will automatically round the input
numeric parameters. As an example, the following command requires a
numeric parameter for the amplitude value:
[SOURce:]VOLTage[:LEVel][:IMMediate][:AMPLitude] <value>
Discrete
Parameters (used in program settings) that have a limited number of
values such as
IMMediate
and
BUS
. Some of these parameters have a
short form and a long form just like command keywords. You can mix
upper- case and lower- case letters. Query responses will always return the
abbreviated form in all upper- case letters. As an example, the following
command require a discrete parameter for the trigger source.
TRIGger:SOURce {IMMediate|BUS}
Boolean
Parameters that represent a single binary condition that is either true or
false. For a false condition, the U3606A will accept
OFF or 0 . For a true
condition, the U3606A will accept ON or 1 . When you query a boolean
setting, the U3606A will always return 0 or 1 . As an example, the
following command require a boolean parameter for the instrument output
state:
OUTPut[:STATe] {0|OFF|1|ON}