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A Brief Introduction to the SCPI Language
SCPI Language Basics
Variable Parameters
<integer> is an integer value with no units.
<real> Is a floating point number with no units.
<freq>
<bandwidth> Is a positive rational number followed by optional units. The default unit is Hertz.
Acceptable units include: Hz, kHz, MHz, GHz.
<time>
<seconds> Is a rational number followed by optional units. The default units are seconds.
Acceptable units include: ks, s, ms, us, ns.
<voltage> Is a rational number followed by optional units. The default units are Volts.
Acceptable units include: V, mV, μV, nV
<current> Is a rational number followed by optional units. The default units are Amperes.
Acceptable units include: A, mA, μA, nA.
<power> Is a rational number followed by optional units. The default units are W. Acceptable
units include: mAW, kW, W, mW, μW, nW, pW.
<ampl> Is a rational number followed by optional units. The default units are dBm.
Acceptable units include: dBm, dBmV, dBμV.
<rel_power>
<rel_ampl> Is a positive rational number followed by optional units. The default units are dB.
Acceptable units include: dB.
<percent> Is a rational number between 0 and 100. You can either use no units or use PCT.
<angle>
<degrees> Is a rational number followed by optional units. The default units are degrees.
Acceptable units include: DEG, RAD.
<string> Is a series of alpha numeric characters.
<bit_pattern> Specifies a series of bits rather than a numeric value. The bit series is the binary
representation of a numeric value. There are no units.
Bit patterns are most often specified as hexadecimal numbers, though octal, binary or
decimal numbers may also be used. In the SCPI language these numbers are specified
as:
• Hexadecimal, #Hdddd or #hdddd where ‘d’ represents a hexadecimal digit 0 to 9
and ‘a’ to ‘f’. So #h14 can be used instead of the decimal number 20.
• Octal, #Odddddd or #odddddd where ‘d’ represents an octal digit 0 to 7. So #o24
can be used instead of the decimal number 20.
• Binary, #Bdddddddddddddddd or #bdddddddddddddddd where ‘d’ represents a 1
or 0. So #b10100 can be used instead of the decimal number 20.
Block Program Data
Some parameters consist of a block of data. There are a few standard types of block data. Arbitrary
blocks of program data can also be used.