An Introduction to the SCPI Language SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is an
ASCII-based instrument command language designed for test and
measurement instruments. Refer to “Simplified Programming Overview,”
starting on page 112, for an introduction to the basic techniques used to
program the multimeter over the remote interface.
SCPI commands are based on a hierarchical structure, also known as a
tree system. In this system, associated commands are grouped together
under a common node or root, thus forming subsystems. A portion of t he
SENSE subsystem is shown below to illustrate the tree system.
SENSe:
VOLTage:
DC:RANGe {<range>|MINimum|MAXimum}
VOLTage:
DC:RANGe? [MINimum|MAXimum]
FREQuency:
VOLTage:RANGe {<range>|MINimum|MAXimum}
FREQuency:
VOLTage:RANGe? [MINimum|MAXimum]
DETector:
BANDwidth {3|20|200|MINimum|MAXimum}
DETector:
BANDwidth? [MINimum|MAXimum]
ZERO:
AUTO {OFF|ONCE|ON}
ZERO:
AUTO?
SENSe is the root keyword of the command, VOLTage and FREQuency
are second-level keywords, and DC and VOLTage are third-level
keywords. A colon ( : ) separates a command keyword from a
lower-level keyword.
Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference
An Introduction to the SCPI Language
154