HP 132A, 53131A manual Introduction

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Introduction

Introduction

This programming guide contains programming information for the HP 53131A/132A Universal Counter.

This guide assumes you are familiar with the front-panel operation of the Counter. See the HP 53131A/132A Operating Guide for detailed information about front- panel operation. You should use this programming guide together with the operating guide. Knowing how to control the Counter from the front panel and understanding the measurements you wish to perform makes the programming task much easier. The operating guide provides explanations and task procedures for all of the Counter ’s measurement functions, and contains the specifications for the Counter.

By sending Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) commands, all of the Counter ’s front-panel functions can be remotely operated via the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB),

as well as the additional throughput optimizing function not available from the front panel.

This Counter programming commands conform to the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) Standard Version 1992.0. The SCPI standard does not completely redefine how to program instruments over the Hewlett- Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB). However, it does standardize the structure and content of an instrument ’s command set to reflect the best programming practices developed by people using HP-IB. It also establishes standard command mnemonics for similar functions in all of the instruments that conform to the SCPI standard.

If you have programmed any HP instruments that have been released over the last few years, you will have seen a general trend toward the techniques specified in the SCPI standard. For example, several instruments are already using a hierarchy of commands that is similar to the command structure defined by the SCPI standard.

1-2 Programming Guide