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SCPI Commands HMF series
Remote Control
7
Basics
SCPI Programmers Manual
1.3 Switching to Remote Control
When you switch on the instrument, it is always in manual operation state („local“ state) and can
be operated via the front panel. When you send a command via PC, it will be received and exe-
cuted by the instrument. The display remains on, manual operation via the front panel is always
possible.
1.4 Messages and Command Structure
1.4.1 Messages
Instrument messages are employed in the same way for all interfaces, if not indicated otherwise
in the description.
See also:
•
Structure and syntax of the instrument messages:
chapter 1.4.2, „SCPI Command Structure“
.
•
Detailed description of all messages:
chapter 2, „Command Reference“.
There are different types of instrument messages:
•
Commands
•
Instrument responses
Commands
Commands (program messages) are messages which the controller sends to the instrument.
They operate the instrument functions and request information. The commands are subdivided
according to two criteria:
According to the instrument effect:
•
Setting commands cause instrument settings such as a reset of the instrument or setting the
frequency.
• Queries cause data to be provided for remote control, e.g. for identification of the instrument
or polling a parameter value. Queries are formed by appending a question mark to the com-
mand header.
According to their definition in standards:
• The function and syntax of the Common commands are precisely defined in standard IEEE
488.2. They are employed identically on all instruments (if implemented). They refer to func-
tions such as management of the standardized status registers, reset and self test.
•
Instrument control commands refer to functions depending on the features of the instrument
such as voltage settings. Many of these commands have also been standardized by the SCPI
committee. These commands are marked as „SCPI compliant“ in the command reference
chapters. Commands without this SCPI label are device-specific, however, their syntax follows
SCPI rules as permitted by the standard.
Instrument responses
Instrument responses (response messages and service requests) are messages which the instru-
ment is sent to the controller after a query. They can contain measurement results, instrument
settings and information on the instrument status.