Reference Multimeter and 8 ½ Digit Multimeter
Introduction to SCPI Syntax
9
Introduction to SCPI Syntax
The Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) standard is a
syntax and set of commands used to control test and measurement devices.
SCPI command headers may consist of several keywords separated by a colon
(:).The SCPI command tree structure is explained under
Command Tree
.
Most commands are described in this manual with a mixture of upper and lower
case letters. The upper case portion indicates the short form of a command.
When a command is sent to the device, the case is irrelevant. For example, in
this document, CURR is the short form of CURRent. Curr, current, curR and
cURRENT will all be accepted by the Product. CUR, curre and other forms not
matching the long or short form of the command will cause a syntax error to be
reported by the product.
Commands Parameters
Some IEEE488.2 standard and SCPI commands require parameters. Valid
parameter types are defined below in Table
4
.
Parameter data, can be numeric, string, Boolean, or character program data.
These data forms are tabulated below.
Table 4. Parameter Types
Parameter Form
Definition
<boolean>
Boolean data, which is ON or OFF, but allows numeric values also (zero is
interpreted as OFF, and any non-zero value as ON).
<
cpd
>
Character Program Data: Select a parameter name from a listed group.
<
string
>
String program data type (enclosed in double quotes).
<
nrf
>
Numeric representation format: Number can be expressed as an integer (for
example 123), real number (for example 123.4) or an exponent (for example
1.234E6).
Command Tree
SCPI command headers may consist of several keywords separated by the colon
character (:) as shown in Figure 2.
command tree.jpg
Figure 2. Command Tree