Racal Instruments 3162A/B, User Manual

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User Manual 3162A/B
SCPI Command Reference 4-1
Chapter 4
SCPI COMMAND REFERENCE
What’s In This
Chapter
This chapter contains reference information for programming the Model
3162A/B. Standard Commands For Programmable Instruments (SCPI)
convention rules and syntax are explained in detail. Table 4-1 lists all SCPI
commands used for programming the Model 3162A/B. The command summary
for each SCPI model is also included in this chapter.
This chapter teaches you how to use SCPI commands to control functions,
modes, waveforms and other aspects of the instrument. Prior understanding
of SCPI programming is necessary for low level programming of the Model
3162A/B.
NOTE
The Model 3162B has the same functionality as the Model
3162A. This manual describes all functions and feature that
are available on the Model 3162B. If you own the Model
3162A, simply ignore all references in this chapter to the
second output channel.
Introduction To
SCPI Language
Commands to program the instrument over the MXI interface bus are defined
by the SCPI 1993.0 standard. The SCPI standard defines a common language
protocol. It goes one step further than IEEE-STD-488.2 and defines a standard
set of commands to control every programmable aspect of the instrument. It
also defines the format of command parameters and the format of values
returned by the instrument.
SCPI is an ASCII-based instrument command language designed for test and
measurement instruments. SCPI commands are based on a hierarchical
structure known as a tree system. In this system, associated commands are
grouped together under a common mode or root, thus forming subsystems.
Throughout this manual, the following conventions are used for SCPI command
syntax.
Square Brackets ( [ ] ) Enclose optional keywords or
parameters
Braces ( { } ) Enclose parameters within a command
string
Triangle Brackets ( < > ) Substitute a value for the