KEPCO ABC-DM SERIES - Manual (Page 55)

ABC 040104
3-23
3.7.4.4 DATA
Some commands require data to accompany the keyword either in the form of a numeric value
or character string. Data always follows the last keyword of a command or query (e.g.,
VOLT:LEV:TRIG 14 or SOUR:VOLT? MAX
3.7.4.5 DATA SEPARATOR
Data must be separated from the last keyword by a space (e.g., VOLT:LEV:TRIG 14 or
SOUR:VOLT? MAX
3.7.4.6 MESSAGE UNIT SEPARATOR
When two or more message units are combined in a program message, they must be separated
by a semicolon (;) (e.g., VOLT 15;MEAS:VOLT? and CURR 12; CURR:TRIG 12.5).
3.7.4.7 ROOT SPECIFIER
The root specifier is a colon (:) that precedes the first keyword of a program message. This
places the parser at the root (top left, Figure 3-3) of the command tree. Note the difference
between using the colon as a keyword separator and a root specifier in the following examples:
VOLT:LEV:IMM 16 Both colons are keyword separators.
:CURR:LEV:IMM 4 The first colon is the root specifier, the other two are keyword separators.
VOLT:LEV 6;:CURR:LEV 15 The second colon is the root specifier, the first and third are key-
word separators
:INIT ON;:TRIG;:MEAS:CURR?;VOLT? The first three colons are root specifiers.
3.7.4.8 MESSAGE TERMINATOR
The message terminator defines the end of a message. One message terminator is permitted:
• new line (), ASCII 10 (decimal) or 0A (hex)
NOTE: Kepco power supplies require a message terminator at the end of each program mes-
sage. The examples shown in this manual assume a message terminator will be added
at the end of each message. Where a message terminator is shown it is represented
as regardless of the actual terminator character.
3.7.5 UNDERSTANDING THE COMMAND STRUCTURE
Understanding the command structure requires an understanding of the subsystem command
tree illustrated in Figure 3-3. The “root” is located at the top left corner of the diagram. The
parser goes to the root if:
• a message terminator is recognized by the parser
• a root specifier is recognized by the parser
Optional keywords are enclosed in brackets [ ] for identification; optional keywords can be omit-
ted and the power supply will respond as if they were included in the message. The root level
keyword [SOURce] is an optional keyword. Starting at the root, there are various branches or