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Chapter 1 Before You Start ...
Introduction
1-2 Programming Guide
Introduction
This programming guide contains programming information for the
HP 53131A/132A Universal Counter.
This guide assumes you are familiar with the front-panel operation of the Counter.
See the HP 53131A/132A Operating Guide for detailed information about front-
panel operation. You should use this programming guide together with the
operating guide. Knowing how to control the Counter from the front panel and
understanding the measurements you wish to perform makes the programming
task much easier. The operating guide provides explanations and task procedures
for all of the Counter’s measurement functions, and contains the specifications for
the Counter.
By sending Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI)
commands, all of the Counter’s front-panel functions can be remotely operated via
the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB),
as well as the additional throughput optimizing function not available from the
front panel.
This Counter programming commands conform to the Standard Commands for
Programmable Instruments (SCPI) Standard Version 1992.0. The SCPI standard
does not completely redefine how to program instruments over the Hewlett-
Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB). However, it does standardize the structure and
content of an instrument ’s command set to reflect the best programming practices
developed by people using HP-IB. It also establishes standard command
mnemonics for similar functions in all of the instruments that conform to the SCPI
standard.
If you have programmed any HP instruments that have been released over the last
few years, you will have seen a general trend toward the techniques specified in
the SCPI standard. For example, several instruments are already using a hierarchy
of commands that is similar to the command structure defined by the SCPI
standard.