Chapter 4 Command Reference

SCPI Conformance InformationSCPI Conformance Information

The Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) commands used in the 58502A are in conformance with the SCPI Standard Version 1992.0.

Command Syntax Conventions

[ ]

An element inside brackets is optional. Note, the

 

brackets are NOT part of the command and

 

should not be sent to the instrument.

1 2

Means use either 1 or 2.

<numeric_value>

Means enter a number.

POSition

Means you MUST use either all the uppercase

 

letters or the entire word. The lowercase letters

 

are optional. For example, POS and POSITION

 

are both valid. However, POSI is not valid. (Note

 

POSition is used here as an example, but this

 

convention is true for all command keywords.) In

 

other words, the short form of the keywords is

 

shown in uppercase.

<n>

The notation <n> ending a command keyword

 

indicates a numeric suffix, used to differentiate

 

multiple instances of the same structure. The

 

numeric suffix is applied to both the short and

 

long forms. The valid range for the value n is

 

specified from an enumerated list, for example

 

[123], or from a range, for example [1..3] to in-

 

dicate any of the integers from 1 to 3.

"TSTamp 1"

When you see quotation marks in the command’s

 

parameter, you must send the quotation marks

 

with the command.

IEEE 488.2 Common Commands

The Common Commands are general purpose commands that are common to all instruments (as defined in IEEE 488.2). Common Commands are easy to recognize because they all begin with an asterisk or star “*” (for example, *CLS, *IDN?). These commands are generally not related to measurement configuration. They are used for functions like clearing alarms or errors, identification, or setting alarm enables.

User’s Guide

4-3