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HAPTER
4:
Computer Interface Operation
F71/F41 Teslameter
4.3.3 Error Messages
As called out in the SCPI-99 specification, the F71/F41 teslameter implements an
error queue that contains coded error and status messages thrown during operation.
SCPI 99 defines error messages with a negative (-) prefix as standard errors, common
to all SCPI compliant instruments. Error messages with a positive prefix (+) are allo-
cated to instrument manufacturers for instrument specific messages. Presently, the
teslameter does not implement any instrument specific messages. All teslameter spe-
cific errors and status are captured in the status register system.
Coded error and status messages can be retrieved and cleared over the remote inter-
face using the following commands:
SYSTem:ERRor:ALL?
SYSTem:ERRor:CLEar
SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt?
SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]?
The queue is implemented with a “First In, First Out” (FIFO) approach. This means, if
the teslameter adds multiple messages to the queue in a given period of time, issuing
the
SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]?
query will return the message that was added to the
queue first, and, subsequently remove it from the queue. For further details on these
error query commands, see section 4.5.
SCPI 99 categorizes its standard errors into logical groups that match bit definitions
in the standard event status register. When the teslameter adds an error message to
the queue, a bit in the standard event status register will be set as well. The error code
range table shown below lists the error code ranges, title, and the corresponding bit
in the standard event status register that gets set when the error or status is added to
the queue.
A comprehensive list of standard SCPI error codes descriptions can be found in
chapters 21.8.9 through 21.8.16 of the official SCPI 99 standard, located on the IVI
foundation website:
http://www.ivifoundation.org/docs/scpi-99.pdf
The F71/F41 teslameter does not implement every error code listed in the standard.
Error code range
Description
Standard event register bit
-100 to -184
Command errors
5
-200 to -294
Execution errors
4
-300 to -365
Device specific errors
3
-400 to -440
Query errors
2
TABLE 4-3
Error code ranges
