Use SCPI Commands

Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments, or SCPI commands, are an ASCII-based set of pre-defined commands and responses. They use the same data format across all SCPI compliant instruments. You can use SCPI commands with the Instrument Control Toolbox™ and the MATLAB^® programming environment to control multiple instruments using similar functions. You can access a common functionality in instruments without changing your programming environment. SCPI commands are simple and flexible and accept a range of parameter formats. This allows you to easily program your instrument. The response to SCPI commands can be status information or data. You can define the format of the data independently of the device or the measurement. For more information refer to the IVI Foundation SCPI Specifications.

Use the writeline function on instrument objects to send SCPI commands. Then, use the readline function to read the response. You can also use the writeread function to send SCPI commands that require a response.

Commonly Used SCPI Commands

Commands	Functionality
*CLS	Clear the status
*ESE	Enable standard event
*ESE?	Query if event is enabled and standard
*ESR?	Query standard event status register
*IDN?	Query instrument identification
*OPC	Operation complete
*OPC?	Query if operation is complete
*RST	Instrument reset
*SRE	Enable service request
*SRE?	Query id service request is enabled
*STB?	Query read of status byte
*TST?	Query instrument self test
*WAI	Wait to continue