Programming instructions

Command Reference
SCPI Basics
Chapter 4140
Command Syntax
A typical command is made up of keywords prefixed with colons (:). The keywords are followed
by parameters. The following is an example syntax statement:
[:SOURce]:POWer[:LEVel] MAXimum|MINimum
In the example above, the [:LEVel] portion of the command immediately follows the :POWer
portion with no separating space. The portion following the [:LEVel], MINimum|MAXimum, are
the parameters (argument for the command statement). There is a separating space (white
space) between the command and its parameter.
Additional conventions in syntax statements are shown in Table 4-1 and Table 4-2.
Table 4-1 Special Characters in Command Syntax
Characters Meaning Example
| A vertical stroke between keywords or
parameters indicates alterative choices. For
parameters, the effect of the command varies
depending on the choice.
[:SOURce]:AM:
MOD DEEP|NORMal
DEEP or NORMal are the
choices.
[ ] Square brackets indicate that the enclosed
keywords or parameters are optional when
composing the command. These implied
keywords or parameters will be executed
even if they are omitted.
[:SOURce]:FREQuency[:CW]?
SOURce and CW are optional
items.
< > Angle brackets around a word (or words)
indicate they are not to be used literally in
the command. They represent the needed
item.
[:SOURce]:FREQuency:
STARt <val><unit>
In this command, the words
<val> and <unit> should be
replaced by the actual
frequency and unit.
:FREQuency:STARt 2.5GHZ
{ } Braces indicate that parameters can
optionally be used in the command once,
several times, or not at all.
[:SOURce]:LIST:
POWer <val>,{<val>}
a single power listing:
LIST:POWer 5
a series of power listings:
LIST:POWer 5,10,15,20