User guide

Rev. 5 103
Remote Interface Reference
SCPI Status System
4.2.2.2 Reading the Status Byte using *STB?
The *STB? returns the contents of the Status Byte register, but it is processed
in the command queue like any other command. The *STB? command does
not clear bit 6 of the Status Byte register.
4.2.2.3 Using the Message Available Bit(s)
The “Message Available” bits (bits 3 or 4) of the Status Byte register can be
used to determine when data is available to read into your host computer. The
Model 430 Programmer clears the “Message Available” bits only after all
data has been read from the output buffer(s).
The “Message Available” bits of the Status Byte register are useful for
determining if queries have executed; however, they are not useful alone for
determining if commands have completed execution, since commands do not
provide return data.
4.2.3 Standard Event Register
The Standard Event register group reports a power-on condition, various
error conditions, and indicates when an operation has completed. Any or
all of the Standard Events can be reported to the Status Byte register by
enabling the corresponding bit(s) in the Standard Event enable register
(see Figure 4-1). To set the Standard Event enable register, write a binary-
weighted decimal value using the *ESE <value> command.
The bit definitions for the Standard Event register are provided in Table 4-
2. To query the Model 430 Programmer for the details of a reported error
in the Standard Event register, use the SYSTem:ERRor? query. See
section 4.6 for a complete discussion of the error buffer and messages.
The Standard Event register is cleared when:
• The *CLS (clear status) command is executed.
• The Standard Event register is queried using the *ESR? command.
The Standard Event enable register is cleared when:
• The *ESE 0 command is executed.
• The power is turned off and then back on, and the Model 430
Programmer was configured for *PSC 1 (power-on status clear). The