Xantrex Technology GPIB-M-HPD, GPIB-M-XHR, GPIB-M-XFR, GPIB-M-XT manual Understanding Scpi Commands

SCPI Command Reference

Understanding SCPI Commands

Understanding SCPI Commands

SCPI SCPI is an ASCII-based command language designed for use in test and Command measurement equipment. The command structure is organized around common Hierarchy roots, or nodes, which are the building blocks of SCPI subsystems. An example of a

common root is CALibration, and some of the commands that reside in the CALibration subsystem are shown below.

CALibration

:CURRent

[:DATA] <numeric value> :LEVel {MINMAX}

[:SECure]

:CODE <new code>

:STATe {OFFON}, <code> :STATe?

CALibration is the root keyword of the command. CURRent and SECure are second-level keywords, and DATA, LEVel, CODE, and STATe, are third-level keywords. A colon (:) is used to separate a command keyword from a lower-level keyword.

Using SCPI This manual may show SCPI commands in the either long or short format. An Commands example of the long format is:

CALibration:CURRent:LEVel {<current>MINMAX}

The command is expressed as a mixture of upper- and lowercase letters. The uppercase letters indicate how the command can be abbreviated to its short form:

CAL:CURR:LEV {<current>MINMAX}

SCPI commands can be sent in long or short forms. The short form is typically better for data entry. The long form is usually better for readability.

Command strings are not case sensitive: CURR, Curr, and curr are all acceptable abbreviations for CURRent. As for the long form, CURRENT, Current, and current are all acceptable.

The command strings include punctuation. While some punctuation is sent with the string, other markings are used to identify different elements of the command syntax and are not sent with the string.

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