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6 SCPI Command Reference
98 N9340A User’s Guide
SCPI Language Basics
SCPI is an ASCII-based instrument command
language designed for test and measurement
instruments, with the goal of reducing automatic
test equipment (ATE) program development time.
SCPI accomplishes this goal by providing a
consistent programming environment for
instrument control and data usage. This consistent
programming environment is achieved by the use
of defined program messages, instrument
responses, and data formats across all SCPI
instruments.
By providing a consistent programming
environment, replacing one SCPI instrument with
another SCPI instrument in a system will usually
require less effort than with non- SCPI instrument.
SCPI is not a standard which completely provides
for interchangeable instrumentation. SCPI helps
move toward interchangeability by defining
instrument commands and responses, but not
functionality, accuracy, resolution, etc.
Common Terms used in this Book
Terms Description
Controller: Any computer used to communicate with an instrument. A
controller can be a personal computer (PC), a minicomputer, or a
plug-in card in a card cage. Some intelligent instruments can also
function as controllers.
Instrument: Any device that implements SCPI. Most instruments are electronic
measurement or stimulus devices, but this is not a requirement.
Similarly, most instruments use a GPIB or RS-232 or USB interface
for communication. The same concepts apply regardless of the
instrument function or the type of interface used.
Command: An instruction.
You combine commands to form messages that control
instruments to complete a specified task. In general, a command
consists of mnemonics (keywords), parameters and punctuation.
Query: A special type of command. Queries instruct the instrument to
make response data available to the controller. Query keywords
always end with a question mark (?).