Anritsu MG3641A - Manual (Page 110)

SECTION 6 GPIB
6-4
6.2 Device Message List
6.2.1 Outline
The device messages are data messages transferred between the controller and device through a system interface.
They are classified into two types: program and response messages.
The program message is an ASCII data message transferred from the controller to the device. It is divided into two
types: program command and program query.
The response message is an ASCII data message transferred from the device to the controller.
6.2.2 General Information On SCPI
SCPI is an instrument command language that is defined by the SCPI Consortium. It does not depend on the
hardware. The goal of SCPI is to reduce the development period for Automatic Tests Equipment (ATE) programs.
To accomplish this goal, SCPI provides a consistent programming environment for instrument control and data
usage. The features are that the SCPI software is compatible between instruments of the same class, and between
different instruments which uses the same commands and parameters to control the instruments that have the same
functions.
6.2.3 Command Structure
:FREQuency [:CW] <Numeric> <Freq term>
[:CW]?
:SWEep
:MODE <Character>
:MODE?
:TIME
<Numeric> <Time term>
:TIME?
Fig. 6-1. SCPI Command Tree Example
Program message
Response message
Host computer MG3641A/MG3642A