Introduction To Programming 9
2
Introduction To Programming

GPIB Capabilities Of The Power Module

All power module functions except for setting the GPIB address are programmable over the GPIB. The IEEE 488.1
capabilities of the power module are listed in the User’s Guide.

Module GPIB Address

The power module operates from a primary GPIB address that is set by a switch on the mainframe. The power module’s
secondary GPIB address is determined by its slot position within the mainframe. See the mainframe Installation Guide for
details.

Introduction To SCPI

SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is a programming language for controlling instrument functions
over the GPIB (IEEE 488) instrument bus. SCPI is layered on top of the hardware-portion of IEEE 488.2. The same SCPI
commands and parameters control the same functions in different classes of instruments. For example, you would use the
same DISPlay command to control the power module display state and the display state of a SCPI-compatible multimeter.
Conventions
The following conventions are used throughout this chapter:
Angle brackets < > Items within angle brackets are parameter abbreviations. For example, <NR1>
indicates a specific form of numerical data.
Vertical bar | Vertical bars separate one of two or more alternative parameters. For example,
0|OFF indicates that entering either "0" or "OFF" performs the same function.
Square Brackets [ ] Items within square brackets are optional. The representation [SOURce]:LIST
means that SOURce may be omitted.
Braces { } Braces indicate parameters that may be repeated zero or more times. It is used
especially for showing arrays. The notation <A>{<,B>} shows that parameter
"A" must be entered, while parameter "B" may be omitted or may be entered one
or more times.
Boldface font Boldface font is used to emphasize syntax in command definitions.
TRIGger:DELay <NRf> shows a command definition.
Computer font Computer font is used to show program lines in text. TRIGger: DELay .5 shows a
program line.