Overview of messages
The parameter format of SCPI is derived from the program parameter format defined in IEEE 488.2.
The representation system of the program data that is used on the PAT-T is indicated below.
Non-numeric parameters
Used when a series of ASCII characters are requested.
Be sure to enclose a string in single quotations or double quotations. The start and end quotation marks must match.
FUNCtion "IMP"
If you wish to use a quotation mark as a part of the string, enter two quotation marks consecutively (with no characters in between).
Character data is used when only a limited number of values is available for the program setting. Responses are returned in the short form.
TRIGger:SOURce {BUS|IMMediate|TIMer}
Boolean data expresses a 1 or 0 condition or an ON or OFF condition. Responses are returned as 1 or 0.
OUTPut {ON|OFF|1|0}
Numeric parameters
Represents an integer.
Details are given in the IEEE 488.2 Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation.
Represents a real number (floating point).
Details are given in the IEEE 488.2 Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation.
Represents a real number (exponential).
Details are given in the IEEE 488.2 Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation.
The value +3.80000+E02 is returned for the response data 380. The number of digits to the right of the decimal is 5.
NRf is a generic term that includes NR1, NR2, and NR3.
A numeric parameter such as a decimal point, optional prefix, or measurement unit.
The syntax as a numeric representation is the same as NRf.
MINimum and MAXimum are available as substitutes for declaring certain values.
Units such as V, A, and W can also be used in a numeric parameter.
If a value that cannot be assigned is entered, the device rounds the value to the closest possible value.
For PAT20-400T:
CURR 500
The range of values for SOUR:CURR is 0 % to 105 % of the rated output current. Thus, 500 is set even if 420 is specified.
Special form numeric parameter
The special form numeric parameters MINimum, MAXimum and DEFault can be used as substitutes for limit values when the parameter is numeric. In the example below, the current limit is set to the minimum value.
CURRent:PROTection MINimum
The minimum and maximum values can be inquired for most parameters using queries.
CURRent:PROTection? MAX
CURRent:PROTection? MIN
Measurement unit
Below are the default measurement units.
| ·V (voltage) | ·A (current) |
| ·S (second) |
The following optional prefixes are supported.
·M (milli) ·U (micro)
NOTE
| • The unit symbols in the International System of Units (SI) contain lowercase characters. The IEEE standard uses uppercase characters. SCPI commands are not case-sensitive. |
| • Commands are accepted even if a measurement unit are not specified. |
| • To enter "µ" in the data, use "U" instead. |