July 2018
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4.2
Command Syntax
Compatible Standard:
IEEE488.2
Partial compatibility.
SCPI, 1999
Partial compatibility.
Command Structure:
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) commands
follow a tree-like structure, organized into nodes. Each level of the
command tree is a node. Each keyword in a SCPI command represents
each node in the command tree. Each keyword (node) of a SCPI command
is separated by a colon (:).
For example, the diagram below shows an SCPI sub-structure and a
command example.
Figure 53.
Command types:
There are a number of different instrument commands and queries. A
command sends instructions or data to the unit and a query receives data
or status information from the unit.
Single Command
A single command with/without a parameter.
Example:
meas:freq:cen 100 MHz
Query
A query is a simple or compound command
followed by a question mark (?). A parameter
(data) is returned.
Example: meas:freq:cen?
