Overview of Messages
The information that is exchanged between the controller (computer) and the device (KPM1000) is called a message.
The KPM1000 uses the SCPI language for the messages.
There are two types of messages, commands that are sent from the computer to the KPM1000 and responses that are sent from the KPM1000 to the computer.
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 | ||||
| SENS | Root node | |||||
| :CURR | Second level | |||||
| :RANGE | <numeric> | Third level | ||||
| :AUTO | <bool> | Fourth level | ||||
| :VOLT | Second level | |||||
| :RANGE | <numeric> | Third level | ||||
| :AUTO | <bool> | Fourth level | ||||
A higher node is separated from a lower node using a colon (:).
This manual denotes SCPI commands using the following format.
MEASure[:SCALar]:CURRent:AC? {<numeric>|MINimum|MAXimum}
SCPI commands can be issued using the short form. The short form of an SCPI command is the section of the command written in uppercase.
SCPI commands can be sent in the long form or short form. Since SCPI commands are not case-sensitive, CURR, Curr, and curr are all accepted as the short form of CURRent. In the long form, CURRENT, Current, and current are all acceptable.
• A space is required between the program header section and the parameter section.
• Multiple parameters, when available, are concatenated using commas.
• Commands are concatenated using semicolons (compound command).
SENSe:CURRent:SCALing:STATe ON;CTRatio 1000
In the second command, SENSe:CURRennt:SCALing is omitted. This is because the path is set to SENSe:CURRent:SCALing by the first command SENSe:CURRent:SCALing:STATe MINimum.
This compound command is the same as entering the following commands.
SENSe:CURRent:SCALing:STATe ON
SENSe:CURRent:SCALing:CTRatio 1000
An error occurs if a node that is not defined in the current path is designated.
Commands of different subsystems can be concatenated using a colon and a semicolon together.
SENSe:CURRent:RANGe:AUTo ON;:MEASure:CURRent:AC?
This compound command contains two root nodes, SENSe and MEASure.
When the second or subsequent command starts with a colon, the path specified by the previous command is cleared.
• The maximum number of characters that can be transmitted in a single line is 128.
Special symbols
Special symbols used in this manual to describe SCPI commands are defined below.
• Characters and numbers delimited by "|" in braces indicate that one of the items is to be selected.
Do not include the braces in the actual program.
• The characters <> indicate program data.
Do not write <> in the actual program.
• Brackets indicate option data.
When option data is not sent with the program, the default value is applied.
Do not write [ ] in the actual program.
Queries
The device settings or status can be queried.
To make a query, add a question mark at the end of the program header section.
If a query has parameters, enter a space after the question mark followed by the parameters.
CURRent? MIN
Response
A response is returned as an answer to a query. It is a message that is always sent from the device to the computer. The status of the device or measured values are transmitted to the computer.
NOTE
| When transmitting two queries in separate lines, read the response to the first query before transmitting the second line. If you send two lines of query commands at once, an incomplete response may be received. |
All commands must be terminated using a valid terminator.
The available terminators are <new line> (ASCII 0x0A) and EOI (end-or-identify). Either one can be used as a terminator.
EOI is not available on the RS232C. Be sure to use <new line>.
When a command string is terminated, the path is reset to the root level.
NOTE
| CR (ASCII 0x0D) is not a terminator. |
The IEEE-488.2 and SCPI standards contain a set of common commands for reset, self-test, and other functions. These common commands always start with an asterisk. The commands may have one or multiple parameters.