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Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference
An Introduction to the SCPI Language
115
4
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 (V, A or SEC) with numeric
parameters. If only specific numeric values are accepted, the power supply will
automatically round the input numeric parameters. The following command
uses a numeric parameter:
CURR {<current>|MIN|MAX|UP|DOWN}
Discrete Parameters Discrete parameters are used to program settings that
have a limited number of values (like
BUS
,
IMM
). Query responses will always
return the short form in all upper-case letters. The following command uses
discrete parameters:
TRIG:SOUR {BUS|IMM}
Boolean Parameters Boolean parameters represent a single binary
condition that is either true or false. For a false condition, the power supply
will accept ‘‘OFF’’ or ‘‘ 0 ’’. For a true condition, the power supply will accept
‘‘ON’’ or ‘‘ 1 ’’. When you query a boolean setting, the power supply will always
return ‘‘ 0 ’’ or ‘‘ 1 ’’. The following command uses a boolean parameter:
DISP {OFF|ON}
String Parameters String parameters can contain virtually any set of ASCII
characters. A string must begin and end with matching quotes; either with a
single quote or with a double quote. You can include the quote delimiter as part
of the string by typing it twice without any characters in between. The
following command uses a string parameter:
DISP:TEXT <quoted string>