R&S AFQ100A
SCPI Command Structure and Syntax
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E-3
SCPI Command Structure and Syntax
The commands consist of a so-called header and, in most cases, one or more parameters. The header
and parameter are separated by a white space (ASCII code 0 to 9, 11 to 32 decimal, e.g. blank). The
headers may consist of several key words. Queries are formed by directly appending a question mark
to the header.
Note:
The commands used in the following examples are not in every case implemented in the instrument.
Common Commands
Common commands consist of a header preceded by an asterisk "*" and one
or more parameters, if any.
Examples:
*RST
RESET
, resets the device
*ESE 253
EVENT STATUS ENABLE
, sets the bits of the event
status enable register
*ESR?
EVENT STATUS QUERY
, queries the contents of the
event status register.
Instrument control
commands
Hierarchy
Device-specific commands are of hierarchical
structure. The different levels are represented by
combined headers. Headers of the highest level
(root level) have only one key word. This key word
denotes a complete command system.
Example:
SOURce
This key word denotes the command system
SOURce
.
For commands of lower levels, the complete path
has to be specified, starting on the left with the
highest level, the individual key words being
separated by a colon ":".
The tree structure of the command system SOURce.
Multiple key words
Some key words occur on several levels within one command system. Their
effect depends on the structure of the command, i.e. on the position in the
command header they are inserted in.
