VXi VX1410A User Manual

VX1410A & VX1420A IntelliFrame Mainframe Instruction Manual

This section provides an overview of the commands for the IntelliFrame
Mainframe and includes the following topics:

H A brief introduction to SCPI

H A description of the command syntax

H Instructions on how to enter commands

The commands for the mainframe are compatible with IEEE-488.1, IEEE-488.2,
and SCPI-1995.0 standards.

SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is a standard created
by an international consortium of the major manufacturers of test and measure-
ment equipment. SCPI uses IEEE-488.2 syntax to provide common commands
for the same functions of various programmable instruments.

The standard simplifies the task of programming a group of instruments that use
SCPI. Instead of having to learn different commands for every instrument, the
programmer may use the same commands for the same functions of each
instrument.

The controller sends instructions to the instrument in the form of commands or
queries. Commands modify control settings or tell the instrument to perform a
specific action. Queries cause the instrument to send data or status information
back to the controller. A question mark at the end of a command header
identifies it as a query.

Any instruction that you send to an instrument that complies with SCPI must
have at least three basic elements:

H Command header

H Parameter (if required)

H Message terminator or separator