10-5
IM 704610-01E
Communication Command
10
10.1.4
Response
When the controller sends a message unit that has a
question mark (
?
) in its program header (query), the
instrument returns a response message to the query.
There are two possible formats for the response.
• Data Response
For responses that can be used as-is as a program
message, the command header is added and the
response is returned.
Example:
SAMPLE:GATE:TIME?<PMT> ->
:SAMPLE:GATE:MODE TIME<RMT>
• Data Only Response
For those that cannot be used as-is as a program
message (query only commands), a header is not
added, and only data is returned. However, there
are query only commands for which headers are
added to the responses.
Example:
STATUS:ERROR?<PMT> ->
0,"NO ERROR"<RMT>
Returning a Response without a Header
You can force a response not to include a header,
even if it is the Data type of response. To do
so, use the “
COMMunicate:HEADer
” command.
About Abbreviated Formats
Normally, the lowercase portions of response headers
are omitted. However, you can specify that commands
not be abbreviated. Use the
“
COMMunicate:VERBose
” command for this task. The
sections enclosed by braces ([ ]) are also omitted in
the abbreviated form.
10.1 Program Format
10.1.5
Data
Data
Data refers to the conditions and numbers that are
preceded by a space, and before that, the header.
The following categories of data exist.
Data
Meaning
<Decimal>
A numerical value expressed as a decimal.
(Example: recalling setup information
-> RECALL 2
)
<Voltage><Time>
Numbers with physical dimensions.
<Phase>
(Example: Gate Time
<Percent>
-> SAMPle:GATE:TIME 1MS
)
<Register>
Register value expressed in base 2, 8, 10, or 16
(Ex.: extended event register value
-> :STATUS:EESE #HFE
)
<Character Data>
Defined character string (mnemonic) Select
options in braces ({ }).
(Example: selecting the Gate mode
:SAMPle:GATE:MODE {EVENt|TIME}
)
<Boolean>
Shows ON or OFF. Set to ON, OFF, or a
numerical value.
(Ex.: turning the equalizer display ON
-> :INPUT:EQ:MODE ON
)
<Decimal>
<Decimal> is a number expressed in base 10 as
shown below. This is also the NR format defined by
ANSI X3.42-1975.
Symbol
Meaning
Example
<NR1>
Integer
125
-1
+1000
<N2>
Fixed point number
125.0
-90
+001.
<NR3>
Floating point number
125.0E+0
-9E.1
+.1E4
<NRf>
Any of the forms <NR1> to <NR3> is allowed.
• When the instrument receives a decimal from the
controller, it receives it regardless of which format
between <NR1> and <NR3> it is in. This is notated
as <NRf>.
• The determination as to which format (<NR1>
through <NR3>) is used for response messages
returned to the controller from the instrument is
made based on the query. The format varies
depending on the size of the values used.
• With <NR3> format, the “+” after the “E” is omitted.
The “–“ cannot be omitted.
• To describe values outside of the setting range, the
nearest value that can be set is used.
• If a value has more significant digits than the
available resolution, the value is rounded.