Programming instructions
Programming the Status Register System
Overview
Chapter 3102
Overview
During remote operation, you may need to monitor the status of the signal generator for error
conditions or status changes. The signal generator’s error queue can be read with the SCPI
query :SYSTem:ERRor? (Refer to “:ERRor[:NEXT]” in the SCPI command reference guide) to
see if any errors have occurred. An alternative method uses the signal generator’s status
register system to monitor error conditions and/or condition changes.
The signal generator’s status register system provides two major advantages:
• You can monitor the settling of the signal generator using the settling bit of the Standard
Operation Status Group’s condition register.
• You can use the service request (SRQ) interrupt technique to avoid status polling,
therefore giving a speed advantage.
The signal generator’s instrument status system provides complete SCPI Standard data
structures for reporting instrument status using the register model.
The SCPI register model of the status system has multiple registers that are arranged in a
hierarchical order. The lower-priority status registers propagate their data to the
higher-priority registers using summary bits. The Status Byte Register is at the top of the
hierarchy and contains the status information for lower level registers. The lower level
registers monitor specific events or conditions.
The lower level status registers are grouped according to their functionality. For example, the
Data Quest. Frequency Status Group consists of five registers. This chapter may refer to a
group as a register so that the cumbersome correct description is avoided. For example, the
Standard Operation Status Group’s Condition Register can be referred to as the Standard
Operation Status register. Refer to “Status Groups” on page 115 for more information.
Figure 3-1 and Figure 3-2 show the signal generator’s status byte register system and
hierarchy.
The status register system uses IEEE 488.2 commands (those beginning with *) to access the
higher-level summary registers. Lower-level registers can be accessed using STATus
commands.