Specifications

Introduction to the SCPI Language
ters. Query responses will always return the short form in all upper-case letters. The following command requires a dis-
crete parameter for the display settings:
VOLTage:MODE FIXed|STEP
Boolean Parameters
Boolean parameters represent a single binary condition that is either true or false. For a false condition, the instrument
will accept "OFF" or "0". For a true condition, the instrument will accept "ON" or "1". When you query a Boolean set-
ting, the instrument will always return "0" or "1". The following command requires a Boolean parameter:
OUTput OFF|0|ON|1
ASCII 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 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:
CALibrate:DATE "12/12/12"
Device Clear
Device Clear is an IEEE-488 low-level bus message that you can use to return the instrument to a responsive state. Dif-
ferent programming languages and IEEE-488 interface cards provide access to this capability through their own unique
commands. The status registers, theerror queue, and all configuration states are left unchanged when aDevice Clear
message is received.
Device Clear performs the following actions:
l If a measurement is in progress, it is aborted.
l The instrument returns to the trigger idle state.
l The instrument's input and output buffers are cleared.
l The instrument is prepared to accept a new command string.
The ABORt command is the recommended method to terminate an instrument operation.
76 Agilent N8900 Series Operating and Service Guide