A Brief Introduction to the SCPI Language

SCPI Language Basics

Parameters in Commands

There are four basic types of parameters: booleans, keywords, variables and arbitrary block program data.

OFFON01

 

(Boolean)

This is a two state boolean-type parameter. The numeric value 0 is equivalent to OFF.

 

Any numeric value other than 0 is equivalent to ON. The numeric values of 0 or 1 are

 

commonly used in the command instead of OFF or ON. Queries of the parameter

 

always return a numeric value of 0 or 1.

keyword

The keywords that are allowed for a particular command are defined in the command

 

syntax description.

Units

Numeric variables may include units. The valid units for a command depend on the

 

variable type being used. See the following variable descriptions. The indicated

 

default units are used if no units are sent. Units can follow the numerical value with,

 

or without, a space.

Variable

A variable can be entered in exponential format as well as standard numeric format.

 

The appropriate range of the variable and its optional units are defined in the

 

command description.

 

The following keywords may also be used in commands, but not all commands allow

 

keyword variables.

 

• DEFault - resets the parameter to its default value.

 

• UP - increments the parameter.

 

• DOWN - decrements the parameter.

 

• MINimum - sets the parameter to the smallest possible value.

 

• MAXimum - sets the parameter to the largest possible value.

 

The numeric value for the function’s MINimum, MAXimum, or DEFault can be

 

queried by adding the keyword to the command in its query form. The keyword must

 

be entered following the question mark.

 

Example query: SENSE:FREQ:CENTER? MAX

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Agilent Technologies N9030a manual Parameters in Commands
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N9030a specifications

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