Agilent Technologies E3633A, E3634A manual An Introduction to the SCPI Language

Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference An Introduction to the SCPI Language

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 80 for an introduction to the basic techniques used to program the power supply 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 the SOURce subsystem is shown below to illustrate the tree system.

[SOURce:]

CURRent {<current>MINMAXUPDOWN}

CURRent? [MINMAX]

CURRent:

TRIGgered {<current>MINMAX}

TRIGgered?{MINMAX}

VOLTage {<voltage>MINMAXUPDOWN}

VOLTage? [MINMAX]

VOLTage:

TRIGgered {<voltage>MINMAX}

TRIGgered? {MINMAX}

SOURce is the root keyword of the command, CURRent and VOLTage are second-level keywords, and TRIGgered is third-level keywords. A colon (:) separates a command keyword from a lower-level keyword.

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