Command Syntax
Parameters
Default settings

Overview of Messages

The information that is exchanged between the controller (computer) and the device (PCR500M) is called a message.

The PCR-M uses the SCPI language for the messages.

There are two types of messages, commands that are sent from the computer to the PCR-M and responses that are sent from the PCR-M to the computer.

Command hierarchy

SCPI commands are ASCII-based commands designed for test and measurement devices. The command hierarchy is structured around the common root or node, which is the construction block of the SCPI sub system. A command consists of a program header, parameters, and punctuations.

The hierarchy is explained using the SOURce subsystem as an example.

 

Program header Parameter Hierarchy of node
SOUR:   Roote node
  FREQ Second level
  :LIM Third level
  :UPP <numeric> Fourth level
:LOW <bool> Fourth level
VOLT Second level
  :RANGE Third level
  :UPP <numeric> Fourth level
    :AUTO <bool> Fourth level

 

A higher node is separated from a lower node using a colon (:).