4 hierarchical command structure, 5 status system programming, Ierarchical – BNC 835 Programmer Manual User Manual
Page 18: Ommand, Tructure, Tatus, Ystem, Rogramming
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Units In the case of physical quantities, the unit can be entered. Permissible unit prefixes are G (giga),
MA (mega), MHZ are also permissible), K (kilo), M (milli), U (micro) and N (nano). If the unit is missing,
the basic unit is used.
Boolean Parameters Boolean parameters represent two states. The ON state (logically true) is
represented by ON or a numerical value unequal to 0. The OFF state (logically false) is represented by
OFF or the numerical value 0. ON or OFF is returned by a query.
4.4 Hierarchical Command Structure
All SCPI commands, except the common commands, are organized in a hierarchical structure similar
to the inverted tree file structure used in most computers. The SCPI standard refers to this structure as
“the Command Tree.” The command keywords that correspond to the major instrument control
functions are located at the top of the command tree. The command keywords for the BENCHTOP
MICROWAVE SOURCE SCPI command set are shown below.
:ABORt
:DIAGnostic
:DISPlay
:INITiate
:OUTput
:SOURce
:STATus
:SYSTem
:TRIGger
:UNIT
All BENCHTOP MICROWAVE SOURCE SCPI commands, except the :ABORt command, have one or
more subcommands (keywords) associated with them to further define the instrument function to be
controlled. The subcommand keywords may also have one or more associated subcommands
(keywords). Each subcommand level adds another layer to the command tree. The command keyword
and its associated subcommand keywords form a portion of the command tree called a command
subsystem.
4.5 Status System Programming
The BENCHTOP MICROWAVE SOURCE implements the status byte register, the Service Request
Enable Register, the Standard Event Status Register, and the Standard Event Status Enable Register.
The BENCHTOP MICROWAVE SOURCE status system consists of the following SCPI-defined status
reporting structures: