Programming Guide

SIGLENT
SDL1000X Programming Guide 4
cable. Assuming your PC is already turned on, turn on your electronic load,
and then the PC will display the “Device Setup”screen as it automatically
installs the device driver as shown below.
Wait for the installation to complete and then proceed to the next step.
1.2 Remote Control
1.2.1 User-defined Programming
Users can use SCPI commands via a computer to program and control the
electronic load. For details, refer to the introductions in "Programming
Examples".
1.2.2 Send SCPI Commands via NI_MAX
NI-Measurement and Automation eXplorer (NI-MAX) is a program created and
maintained by National Instruments. It provides a basic remote control
interface for VXI, LAN, USB, GPIB, and Serial communications. It is a utility
that enables you to send commands one-at-a-time and also retrieve data from
connected devices. It is a great tool for troubleshooting and testing command
sequences. The oscilloscopes can be controlled remotely by sending SCPI
commands via NI-MAX.
2. SCPI Overview
2.1 Command Format
SCPI commands present a hierarchical tree structure containing multiple
subsystems, each of the subsystems is made up of a root keyword and several
subkeywords. The command string usually starts with “:”, the keywords are
separated by “:” and the followed parameter settings are separated by space.
Query commands add “?” at the end of the string.
For example:
:SENSe:FREQuency:CENTer <freq>
:SENSe:FREQuency:CENTer?
SENSe is the root key of the command, FREQuency and CENTer are second
and third keywords. The command begins with “:”, and separates the keywords
at the same time, <freq> separated by space and represents the parameter
available for setting; “?” represents a query.