Parameters Parameter Types. The following table contains explanations and examples
of parameter types you might see later in this chapter.
Parameter Type Explanations and Examples
Numeric Accepts all commonly used decimal representations of
numbers including optional signs, decimal points, and
scientific notation.
123, 123E2, -123, -1.23E2, .123, 1.23E-2, 1.23000E-01.
Special cases include MIN, MAX, and DEF. MIN selects
minimum value available, MAX selects maximum value
available, and DEF selects default or reset value.
Boolean Represents a single binary condition that is either true or
false.
1 or ON; 0 or OFF.
Discrete Selects from a finite number of values. These parameters
use mnemonics to represent each valid setting.
An example is the TRIGger:SOURce <
source> command
where
source can be BUS, EXT, HOLD, or IMM.
Optional Parameters. Parameters shown within square brackets ([ ]) are
optional parameters. (Note that the brackets are not part of the command
and are not sent to the instrument.) If you do not specify a value for an
optional parameter, the instrument chooses a default value. For example,
consider the
ARM:COUNt? [<MIN | MAX>] command. If you send the
command without specifying a parameter, the present
ARM:COUNt value is
returned. If you send the
MIN parameter, the command returns the
minimum count available (1). If you send the
MAX parameter, the
command returns the maximum count available (32,767). Be sure to place a
space between the command and the parameter.
Linking Commands Linking IEEE 488.2 Common Commands with SCPI Commands. Use
a semicolon between the commands. For example:
*RST;OUTP ON or TRIG:SOUR HOLD;*TRG
Linking Multiple SCPI Commands. Use both a semicolon and a colon
between the commands. For example:
ARM COUN 1;:TRIG:SOUR EXT
SCPI allows several commands within the same subsystem to be linked
with a semicolon. For example:
ROUT:CLOS (@100);:ROUT:OPEN (A101)
or
ROUT:CLOS (@100);OPEN (@101)
Chapter 4 HP E1368A/69A/70A Command Reference 49
