In this section:
Introduction to SCPI ................................................................. 6-1
SCPI command programming notes ........................................ 6-2
Introduction to SCPI
The Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) standard is a syntax and set of
commands that is used to control test and measurement devices.
The following information describes some basic SCPI command information and how SCPI is used
with the 2281S and presented in the 2281S documentation.
Command messages
A command message is made up of one or more command words sent by the controller to the
instrument.
SCPI commands contain several command words that are structured to create command messages.
The command words are separated by colons (
:
). For example, the command words used to enable
an average filter are:
:SENSe:CONCurrent:AVERage:STATe ON
Many commands have query options. If there is a query option, it is created by adding a question
mark (
?
) to the command. For example, to query the present state of the average filter, send:
:SENSe:CONCurrent:AVERage:STATe?
Commands often take parameters. Parameters follow the command words and a space. For example,
to turn on the output, send:
:OUTPut:STATe ON
SCPI can also use common commands, which consist of an asterisk (
*
) followed by three letters. For
example, you can reset the instrument by sending the following command:
*RST
Section 6
Introduction to SCPI commands
