Chapter 5 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 with numeric parameters (e.g., M, K, or u). If only specific numeric values are accepted, the instrument will automatically round the input numeric parameters. The following command uses a numeric parameter:

VOLTage:DC:RANGe {<range>MINimumMAXimum}[,(@<ch_list>)]

Discrete Parameters Discrete parameters are used to program settings that have a limited number of values (like BUS, IMMediate, EXTernal). They have a short form and a long form just like command keywords. You can mix upper- and lower-case letters. Query responses will always return the short form in all upper-case letters. The following command uses discrete parameters:

UNIT:TEMPerature {CFK}[,(@<ch_list>)]

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

INPut:IMPedance:AUTO {OFFON}[,(@<ch_list>)]

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