Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference An Introduction to the SCPI Language

SCPI Parameter Types

The SCPI language defines several different data formats to be used in program messages and response messages.

Numeric Parameters Commands that require numeric parameters will accept all commonly used decimal representations of numbers including optional signs, decimal points, and scientific notation. Special values for numeric parameters like MINimum, MAXimum, and DEFault are also accepted. You can also send engineering unit suffixes (V, A or SEC) with numeric parameters. If only specific numeric values are accepted, the power supply will automatically round the input numeric parameters. The following command uses a numeric parameter:

CURR {<current>MINMAXUPDOWN}

Discrete Parameters Discrete parameters are used to program settings that have a limited number of values (like BUS, IMM). Query responses will always return the short form in all upper-case letters. The following command uses discrete parameters:

TRIG:SOUR {BUSIMM}

Boolean Parameters Boolean parameters represent a single binary condition that is either true or false. For a false condition, the power supply will accept ‘‘OFF’’ or ‘‘ 0 ’’. For a true condition, the power supply will accept ‘‘ON’’ or ‘‘ 1 ’’. When you query a boolean setting, the power supply will always return ‘‘ 0 ’’ or ‘‘ 1 ’’. The following command uses a boolean parameter:

DISP {OFFON}

String Parameters String parameters can contain virtually any set of ASCII characters. A string must begin and end with matching quotes; either with a single quote or with a double quote. You can include the quote delimiter as part of the string by typing it twice without any characters in between. The following command uses a string parameter:

DISP:TEXT <quoted string>

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Agilent Technologies E3632A manual Scpi Parameter Types, Curr currentMINMAXUPDOWN, Trigsour Busimm, 115