Instructions

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12.4 Command Timing
There are no dependent parameters, coupled parameters, overlapping commands, expression
program data elements or compound command program headers. Note, however, that the
MODE command sets standard values for Level A, Level B, Range and the Slew Rate, so these
must be explicitly set afterwards. Alternatively it is possible to use the store and recall facilities of
the instrument to quickly retrieve a complete set-up of an operating mode and its values.
All commands are separate and sequential, and are executed when parsed and immediately
considered complete. To provide useful functionality, the Operation Complete bit (bit 0) in the
Standard Event Status Register is only ever set by the *OPC command. Either the *OPC
command or the *OPC? query can be used for device synchronisation due to the sequential
nature of remote operations.
The actual electrical response to changes in load settings is subject to the present slew rate
setting, but that is considered to be an aspect of normal operation and not part of the command
execution time. If a slow slew rate is in use the V? and I? queries can be used to check progress.
12.5 Response Formats
Responses from the instrument to the controller are sent as <RESPONSE MESSAGES>, which
consist of one
<RESPONSE MESSAGE UNIT> followed by a <RESPONSE MESSAGE TERMINATOR>,
which is the carriage return character (0D
H) followed by the new line character (0AH) with, in the
case of GPIB only, the
END message NL^END. This is shown as <RMT> in the descriptions below.
Each query produces a specific
<RESPONSE MESSAGE> which is described in the entry for the
query command in the remote commands list below. Most responses consist of a keyword
followed by either text or a number in one of the following formats:
<NR1> An integer without a decimal point or a unit.
<NR2> A fixed point number with a fractional part but no exponent part.
<NR3> A floating point number with both a fractional part and an exponent part.
<
CRD> Character Response Data, consisting of the text characters listed.
When helpful, numbers are followed by a units indication (which depends on the present load
mode) to provide confirmation. The units used are: A, V, W, OHM, SIE & HZ (SIE is conductance
in Siemens, or A/V.) Slew rates are expressed the basic unit (of the active mode) per second,
with an exponent (which is always positive, with E+03 representing kUnits/s or Units/ms, and
E+06 representing MUnits/s or Units/us).
12.6 Command List
This section lists all the commands and queries implemented in this instrument. All numeric
parameters are shown as
<NRF> and may be sent as <NR1>, <NR2> or <NR3> as described above.
Command parameters (unlike responses) are not followed by a units indication.
12.6.1 Instrument Function Commands
MODE <CPD> Set the load mode to <CPD>.
Where
<CPD> can be C, P, R, or G, corresponding to constant current, power,
resistance, conductance or voltage.
The input will be automatically disabled if not previously done.
This command also sets both the Level A and Level B settings to 0 for all
modes except CR, when they are both set to 10kΩ, and sets the Slew Rate to
the Default value, which gives the best accuracy of the level settings.
MODE? Returns the load mode selected.
The response is: MODE <CRD><RMT> where <CRD> can be C, P, R or G.
A <NRF>
Set Level A to <NRF>. The units are implied by the present load mode.
B <NRF>
Set Level B to <NRF>. The units are implied by the present load mode.