Title Page

UM-24017-C

SCPI
Programmer’s Manual
for the DT8824

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents
About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Intended Audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
What You Should Learn from this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Conventions Used in this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Related Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Where to Get Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 1: Syntax Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Types of SCPI Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Types of SCPI Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Common SCPI Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SCPI Subsystem Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Syntax of Program Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Syntax of Common SCPI Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Syntax of SCPI Subsystem Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
About Short- and Long-Form Mnemonics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
About Brackets, Braces, and Vertical Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Syntax of Response Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SCPI Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Character Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
String Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
<NR1>Value Data Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
<NR2> Value Data Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
<NRr>Value Data Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
<NRf>Value Data Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
<Boolean> Data Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
<Block> Data Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SCPI Expression Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Numeric Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Channel Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Numeric Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Data Interchange Format (DIF) Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Instrument-Specifier Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Chapter 2: Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules. . . . . . . . . . . 31
Installing SCPI Support Files for the DT8824 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Configuring the LAN Settings of the DT8824 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Setting the Static IP and Subnet Mask of the Instrument Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

3

Contents

Specifying a Description of the Instrument Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Getting Information about the Instrument Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Using Password-Protected Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Performing Input Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Enabling and Configuring Analog Input Channels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Configuring the Input Range and Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Configuring the Input Buffer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Configuring the Input Clock Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Configuring the Input Trigger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Software Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
External, Digital (TTL) Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
LAN Trigger Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Trigger Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Arming Input Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Starting Input Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Determining the Status of the Analog Input Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Retrieving Scan Data from the Input Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Stopping Input Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Performing Digital Output Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Chapter 3: Common SCPI Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Chapter 4: SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
SCPI Subsystem Command Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
STATus Subsystem Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
SYSTem Subsystem Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
AD Subsystem Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
WTB (Wired Trigger Bus) Subsystem Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
EVENt Subsystem Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
DOUTput Subsystem Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Chapter 5: Programming Flowcharts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Using Password Protected Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Configuring the Instrument Module on the LAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Performing Input Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Performing Digital Output Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Chapter 6: Product Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

4

Contents
Appendix A: Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Troubleshooting Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Error –110 Command Header Error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Error –410 Query Interrupted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Appendix B: Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Status Byte Register (STB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Standard Event Status Enable Register (ESE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Standard Event Status Register (ESR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Operation Status Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Appendix C: Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Features of the DT8824 SCPI Example Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Opening and Running the DT8824 SCPI Example Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Appendix D: Using HyperTerminal to Send and Receive SCPI Commands . . . . . 159
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

5

Contents

6

About this ManualThis manual describes how to use (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments(SCPI) to communicate with the DT8824 LXI (LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation)
instrument modules.

Intended Audience
This document is intended for instrument programmers who are responsible for writing
SCPI-based programs for DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

What You Should Learn from this ManualThis manual provides detailed information about the SCPI commands that are available forcommunicating with DT8824 LXI instrument modules. This manual is organized as follows:• Chapter 1, “Syntax Conventions,” describes the syntax conventions used.
• Chapter 2, “Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules,” provides anintroduction to SCPI commands.
• Chapter 3, “Common SCPI Commands,” describes the common SCPI commands that areavailable for DT8824 LXI instrument modules, including the command syntax, functionaldescription, examples, and so on.
• Chapter 4, “SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824,” describes the device-specific
SCPI commands that available for DT8824 LXI instrument modules, including thecommand syntax, functional description, examples, and so on.
• Chapter 5, “Programming Flowcharts,” provides flow diagrams that show how to use the
SCPI commands together to write a program that communicates with DT8824 LXI
instrument modules.
• Appendix A, “Errors,” lists the errors that can be returned and describes how totroubleshoot frequently occurring errors.
• Appendix B, “Registers,” describes the registers that are used by SCPI commands.
• Appendix C, “Examples,” describes example applications that illustrate how to use SCPI
commands to program DT8824 LXI instrument modules.
• Appendix D, “Using HyperTerminal to Send and Receive SCPI Commands,” describes
how to use HyperTerminal to send and receive SCPI commands.
• An index completes this manual.

7

About this Manual

Conventions Used in this Manual
The following conventions are used in this manual:• Notes provide useful information or information that requires special emphasis, cautions
provide information to help you avoid losing data or damaging your equipment, andwarnings provide information to help you avoid catastrophic damage to yourself or yourequipment.
• Items that you select or type are shown in bold.

Related Documents
Refer to the following documents for more information:• DT8824 User’s Manual (UM-23780). This manual describes the operation of the DT8824
instrument module.
• Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI), Volume 1-4, Version 1999.0
May 1999, SCPI Consortium, 2515 Camino del Rio South, Suite 340, San Diego, CA 92108.
• IEEE Std 488.2-1992, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 345 East
47th Street, New York, NY 10017-2394, USA (ISBN 1-55937-238-9)

Where to Get Help
Should you run into problems installing or using SCPI commands to communicate with
DT8824 LXI instrument modules, the Data Translation Technical Support Department isavailable to provide technical assistance. Refer to Chapter 6 for more information. If you areoutside the United States or Canada, call your local distributor, whose number is listed on
Data Translation’s web site (www.mccdaq.com).

8

1
Syntax Conventions
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Syntax of Program Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Syntax of Response Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SCPI Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SCPI Expression Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

9

Chapter 1

Introduction
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is a universal programming
language for electronic test and measurement instruments, based on the IEEE 488.1 and IEEE
488.2 standards. DT8824 LXI instrument modules comply with the SCPI language andimplement the IEEE-488.2 STD status structure.
You can issue these commands over VISA or sockets using TCP port 5025. Refer to Appendix
D starting on page 159 for information on using HyperTerminal to send and receive SCPI
commands over TCP port 5025.

Types of SCPI Messages
To program a DT8824 LXI instrument module, you create program messages. A program
message consists of one or more properly formatted SCPI commands sent from the controller
to the DT8824 LXI instrument module. The program message, which may be sent at any time,
requests that the instrument perform some action or send back data or status information;these requests are also called queries.
When queried, the DT8824 LXI instrument module sends a response message back to thecontroller. The response message consists of data in a specific SCPI format.
Refer to page 16 for more information on the syntax of program messages and to page 19 formore information on the syntax of response messages.
The following documents provide more information about SCPI programming:• Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI), Volume 1-4, Version 1999.0
May 1999, SCPI Consortium, 2515 Camino del Rio South, Suite 340, San Diego, CA 92108.
• IEEE Std 488.2-1992, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 345 East
47th Street, New York, NY 10017-2394, USA (ISBN 1-55937-238-9)

Types of SCPI Commands
Two types of SCPI commands are available: common commands, described below, anddevice-specific subsystem commands, described on page 12. DT8824 LXI instrument modules
respond to all of the required IEEE-488.2 common commands and support subsystemcommands for measuring data and performing other device-specific functions.

Common SCPI Commands
Common SCPI commands, defined by IEEE488.2, control and manage generic system
functions such as reset, self-test, configuration storage, and device identification. Table 1
summarizes the common SCPI commands that are available for programming DT8824 LXI
instrument modules. Refer to Chapter 3 starting on page 53 for a detailed description of thesecommands.

10

Syntax Conventions

Table 1: Common SCPI Commands for Programming DT8824 LXI Instrument Modules
Type

Mnemonic

Description

Clear Status*CLS

Clears all event registers summarized in the Status
Byte (STB) register, described on page 150.

Event Status Enable Register*ESE

Enables specified bits in the Standard Event Status
Enable register, described on page 151.

Event Status Enable Register Query*ESE?

Returns the current value of the Standard Event
Status Enable register, described on page 151.

Event Status Register Query*ESR?

Returns the current value of the Standard Event
Status register, described on page 153, and thenclears the register.

Identification Query*IDN?

Returns the unique identity of the DT8824 LXI
instrument module.

Operation Complete*OPC

The Operation Complete bit (bit 0) of the Standard
Event Status register, described on page 151, isalways enabled. Therefore, this command has noeffect when used with the DT8824 LXI instrument
module.

Operation Complete Query*OPC?

The Operation Complete bit (bit 0) of the Standard
Event Status register, described on page 151, isalways enabled. Therefore, this command always
places the ASCII character 1 into the device’s Output
Queue.

Reset

*RST

Clears the Standard Event Status register, message
queue, error queue, and Status Byte register, andstops any scans that are in progress.

Self-Test Query*TST?

Always returns 0 for DT8824 LXI instrument
modules.

Service Request Enable*SRE

The Service Request Enable register is not used onthese instrument modules. Therefore, this command
has no effect when used with DT8824 LXI instrument
modules.

Service Request Enable Query*SRE?

The Service Request Enable register is not used onthese instrument modules. Therefore, this command
has no effect when used with DT8824 LXI instrument
modules.

Status Byte Query*STB?

Returns the current value of the Status Byte register,
described on page 150.

Wait

*WAI

Has no effect on DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

11

Chapter 1

SCPI Subsystem Commands
SCPI subsystem commands are either measurement-related or other device-specificcommands for programming DT8824 LXI instrument modules.
The following subsystems are available on DT8824 LXI instrument modules:• STATus – The STATus subsystem includes commands that are related to the operational
status of a DT8824 LXI instrument module. This subsystem is mandatory for
SCPI-compliant devices.
• SYSTem – The SYSTem subsystem includes commands for querying errors returned by
the instrument module, and configuring and querying system settings, including the LAN
configuration of the instrument module.
• AD – The AD subsystem includes commands and queries for setting up the analog input
features of the instrument module, including the clock, trigger, buffer, and gain settings,
arming the analog input subsystem, starting the analog input operation, stopping theanalog input operation, getting status information, and getting data from the input buffer
on the DT8824 instrument module.
• WTB – The WTB subsystem includes commands and queries for configuring the Wired
Trigger Bus.
• EVENt – The EVENt subsystem includes commands and queries for configuring the LAN
events.
• DOUTput – The DOUTput subsystem includes commands for setting the state of thedigital output lines on the instrument module and a query for returning the state of thedigital output lines on the instrument module.
Table 2 summarizes the SCPI commands and queries available in each subsystem forprogramming DT8824 LXI instrument modules. Refer to Chapter 4 starting on page 63 for a
detailed description of these commands.

12Syntax Conventions

Table 2: Subsystem SCPI Commands for Programming DT8824 LXI Instrument Modules
Subsystem
STATusMnemonic

Description

STATus:OPERation[:EVENt]?

Has no effect on DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

STATus:OPERation:CONDition?

Returns the current value of the Operation Condition
register, described on page 154.

STATus:OPERation:ENABle

Has no effect on DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

STATus:OPERation: ENABle?

Always returns 0 for DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

STATus:PRESet

Has no effect on DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

STATus:QUEStionable[:EVENt]?

Always returns 0 for DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

STATus:QUEStionable:CONDition?

Always returns 0 for DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle

Has no effect on DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle?

Always returns 0 for DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

SYSTem:DATE?

Returns the current date of the DT8824 LXI instrument
module. This date is updated automatically by an SNTP
(Simple Network Time Protocol) server

SYSTem:DESCription

Specifies a description for the device.

SYSTem:DESCription?

Returns the description of the device.

SYSTem:ERRor:ALL?

Queries the error/event queue for all the unread errors,
returns an integer and a string that describes eacherror, and removes the error from the queue.

SYSTem:ERRor:CODE:ALL?

Queries the error/event queue for all the unread errors,
returns the error codes that corresponds to the unread
errors in a comma-separated list, and removes theerrors from the queue.

SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt?

Queries the error/event queue for the number of unread
errors and returns the count.

SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]?

Queries the error/event queue for the next error, returns
an integer and a string that describes the error, andremoves the error from the queue.

SYSTem:ERRor:CODE[:NEXT]?

Queries the error/event queue for the next error, returns
an integer that corresponds to the error code, andremoves the error from the queue.

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:
IPaddrSets the static IP address used by the DT8824 LXI
instrument module on the network.

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:
IPaddr?

Returns the static IP address currently used by theDT8824 LXI instrument module on the network.

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:
MASk

Sets the subnet mask of the static IP address used by
the DT8824 LXI instrument module on the network.

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:
MASk?

Returns the subnet mask of the static IP address
currently used by the DT8824 LXI instrument moduleon the network.

13

Chapter 1
Table 2: Subsystem SCPI Commands for Programming DT8824 LXI Instrument Modules (cont.)
Subsystem
SYSTem(cont.)

AD

14

Mnemonic

Description

SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable

Disables use of the password-protected commands.

SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable]

Enables use of password-protected commands.

SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe?

Returns whether password-protected commands areenabled or disabled.

SYSTem:PASSword:NEW

Changes the existing password to a new password.

SYSTem:VERSion?

Returns the SCPI version number to which the DT8824
LXI instrument module complies.

SYSTem:TIME?

Returns the current time used by the DT8824 LXI
instrument module. This time is updated automaticallyby an SNTP server.

SYSTem:TZONe?

Returns the time zone that is currently used by the
instrument module, as an offset from GMT (Greenwich
Mean Time).

SYSTem:RANge[:MAX]?

Returns the maximum full-scale voltage range that is
supported by the instrument module.

AD:BUFFer:MODE

Configures the wrap mode of the input buffer.

AD:BUFFer:MODE?

Returns the currently configured wrap mode for the
input buffer.

AD:ENABle

Enables or disables sampling of the specified analog
input channels.

AD:ENABle?

Returns whether sampling is enabled or disabled for the
specified analog input channels.

AD:GAIN[:CONFigure]Configures the gain as 1 or 10 for the specified analog
input channels.

AD:GAIN[:CONFigure]?

Returns the gain for the specified analog input
channels.

[AD:]CLOCk:SOURce

Specifies the clock source (internal or external) for the
ADC and DAC master clock generators.

[AD:]:CLOCk:SOURce?

Returns the currently configured clock source for the
ADC and DAC master clock generators.

AD:CLOCk:FREquency [:CONFigure]Configures the sampling rate for the input operation.

AD:CLOCk:FREquency [:CONFigure]?

Returns the currently configured sampling rate for the
input operation.

AD:SYNc:SOURce?

Returns the currently configured source of the ADC
synchronization pulse from the Trigger bus.

AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]

Specifies the source of the trigger (immediate, external
TTL, Trigger Bus, LAN) that starts the input operation.

AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]?

Returns the currently configured trigger source for the
analog input subsystem.

Syntax Conventions
Table 2: Subsystem SCPI Commands for Programming DT8824 LXI Instrument Modules (cont.)
Subsystem
AD (cont.)

WTB

EVENt

DOUTput

Mnemonic

Description

AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE

Configures the edge (positive or negative) of theexternal trigger that is used to start the analog input
operation.

AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE?

Returns the edge (positive or negative) of the external
trigger that is used to start the analog input operation.

AD:ARM

Arms the A/D subsystem by writing the input
configuration to the instrument module.

AD:INITiate

Starts the analog input operation when the configured
trigger is detected.

AD:ABORt

Stops the analog input operation on the DT8824 LXI
instrument module.

AD:FETCh?

Returns a specified number of samples from the input
buffer.

AD:STATus:SCAn?

Returns the indices of the chronologically oldest andmost recent scan records in the input buffer on the
instrument module.

AD:STATus?

Returns the status bits for the A/D subsystem.

WTB:LXI<n>:ENABle

Configures a specific line of the Wired Trigger Bus aseither driven (an output) or disabled.

WTB:LXI<n>:ENABle?

Returns the configuration of a specified line of theWired Trigger Bus.

EVENt:DOMain

Sets the value of the LXI domain octet that istransmitted and received in all LXI LAN event packets.

EVENt:DOMain?

Returns the value of the LXI domain octet that istransmitted and received in all LXI LAN event packets.

EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle]

Enables or disables a specific LAN event fortransmission from the instrument module when theanalog input subsystem is triggered.

EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle]?

Returns the enabled/disabled state of a specific LAN
event.

EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe

Configures the LAN event ID field in the LXI LAN
packet.

EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe?

Returns the event ID in the LXI LAN packet.

DOUTput

Sets the value of the four digital output lines on the
DT8824 LXI instrument module.

DOUTput?

Returns the current value of the four digital output lines
on the DT8824 LXI instrument module.

DOUTput:AND

Performs a bitwise AND operation on the specified
value and the current value of the digital output port.

DOUTput:OR

Performs a bitwise OR operation on the specified value
and the current value of the digital output port.

15

Chapter 1

Syntax of Program Messages
A program message consists of one or more properly formatted SCPI commands sent from thecontroller to a DT8824 LXI instrument module to request some action or to query the
instrument module for a response.
Figure 1 shows the syntax of a program message:

Figure 1: Syntax of Program Messages

A semicolon ( ; ) is used to separate commands within the same command group, and can also
minimize typing. For example, you could send the following program message to set the stateof the digital output port (all 4 digital output lines) and read the status of the digital output
lines::OUTPut 15; :OUTput?
Use a semicolon and a colon to link commands from different groups. For example, thisprogram message returns the contents of the Operation Status register, and then sets the stateof the digital output port::STATus:OPERation:CONDition? ;:OUTPut 15
To terminate a program message, use one of the following program message terminators:• <newline> or the <NL> character• <^END><^END> means that the IEEE-488 EOI (End-Or-Identify) message was asserted at thesame time that the last data byte was sent. <^END> is interpreted as a <NL> characterand can be used to terminate a command string in place of a <NL> character.
• <newline><^END>
Terminating the program message always resets the current SCPI command path to the rootlevel.
The following subsections describe the syntax of both the common SCPI commands and thesubsystem SCPI commands.

16

Syntax Conventions

Syntax of Common SCPI Commands
Figure 2 shows the syntax of common SCPI commands.

Figure 2: Syntax of Common SCPI Commands

Common SCPI commands begin with an asterisk (*). The command mnemonic iscase-insensitive. For example, the following commands have the same effect:
*RST
*rst
*Rst
Queries requires a question mark (?) at the end of the command header, as follows:*IDN?

Syntax of SCPI Subsystem Commands
Figure 3 shows the syntax of SCPI subsystem commands.

Figure 3: Syntax of SCPI Subsystem Commands

17

Chapter 1
Use a colon ( : ) to separate command keywords or mnemonics, as shown below::STATus:OPERation:ENABle
Queries require a question mark (?) at the end of the command header, as follows::STATus:OPERation:CONDition?

About Short- and Long-Form Mnemonics
Note that the command syntax shows most command mnemonics (and some parameters) as a
mixture of upper- and lower-case letters. The upper-case letters indicate the abbreviatedspelling for the command. For shorter program lines, use the abbreviated form; for better
program readability, use the long form.
You can use either upper- or lower-case letters to specify the command, as the mnemonic iscase-insensitive. For example, here is the long form of a command:
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk?
And, here is the short-form of this command:
Syst:Comm:NET:Mas?

About Brackets, Braces, and Vertical Bars
Some parameters are enclosed in square brackets ( [ ] ), indicating that the parameter is
optional and can be omitted. The brackets are not sent with the command. If you do not
specify a value for an optional parameter, the instrument module uses a default value.
Triangle brackets ( < > ) indicate that you must specify a value for the enclosed parameter. The
brackets are not sent with the command.
Braces ( { } ) enclose the parameter choices for a given command. The braces are not sent withthe command.
A vertical bar ( | ) separates multiple parameter choices for a given command.

18

Syntax Conventions

Syntax of Response Messages
A response message consists of data in a specific SCPI format that was requested from a
DT8824 LXI instrument module from the controller.
Figure 4 shows the syntax of a response message from a DT8824 LXI instrument module:

Figure 4: Response Message Syntax

Response messages may contain both commas (,) and semicolons (;) as separators. When asingle query command returns multiple values, a comma is used to separate each data item.
When multiple queries are sent in the same message, the groups of data items corresponding
to each query are separated by semicolons.
The terminator for a response message is always <newline><^END>.

Note: For character data types in response messages, only the short-form of the mnemonic isreturned in all uppercase letters.

19

Chapter 1

SCPI Data TypesSCPI defines several different data types for use in program messages to a DT8824 LXI
instrument module and for use in response messages from a DT8824 LXI instrument module.
DT8824 LXI instrument modules use the following subset of SCPI data types:• Character• String• <NR1>• <NR2>• <NRr>• <NRf>• <Boolean>• <Block>
This section summarizes these data types. Refer to the SCPI standards document for more
information about these data types.

Character Data Types
If a command parameter takes a character data type, a specific number of settings are allowed
for the parameter. For example, in the following command, you can specify one of thefollowing character data types for the buffer wrap mode: WRAp, NOWRAp, or DEFault.
:AD:BUFFer:MODE {WRAp|NOWRAp|DEFault}
Character data types have the following characteristics:• Can have either the short or long form in program messages and are returned in
short-form only in response messages• Are case insensitive in program messages and are in uppercase only in response messages• Must have a specific length

String Data Types
Strings used in command parameters and responses follow these rules:• Strings are enclosed in double quotes " "For example,"This is an example"
specifies the following string: This is an example

20

Syntax Conventions• Use double quotes within double quotes to indicate the part of the string that should
appear in quotes; note that double and single quotes used inside the string must be
duplicated. For example,"This is the ""example""
specifies the following string: This is the “example”• ? Strings are case sensitive<NR1>Value Data TypeThe <NR1> value data type is used to specify zero, and positive and negative integer decimalvalues, including optional signs. If you need to indicate decimal points, use the <NR2> value
data type, instead.
The following values are examples of the <NR1> data type:
0

255

–2

<NR2> Value Data TypeThe <NR2> value data type is used to specify zero, and positive and negative decimal values,
including optional signs and decimal points.
The difference between <NR1> and <NR2> is the explicit decimal point. Note that 0 is a
special case and redundant decimal points are ignored.
The following values are examples of the <NR2> data type:–1.2341.0

0.0<NRr>Value Data TypeThe <NRr> data type is used to specify a non-decimal numeric value, such a hexadecimal,
octal, or binary numeric value.
Figure 5 shows the format of the <NRr> data type:21

Chapter 1

Hexadecimal
Octal

BinaryFigure 5: <NRr>Value Data TypeThe following examples show how the number 16384 in decimal format is represented as a
<NRr> data type:• Hexadecimal <NRr> value: #H4000• Octal <NRr> value: #Q40000• Binary <NRr> value: #B100000000000000<NRf>Value Data TypeThe <NRf> data type is used to specify a floating-point value. These values include digits with
an implied decimal point, an explicit decimal point, or an explicit decimal point and an
exponent.
The following values are examples of the <NRf> data type:
6553

22

1.525e-40.100000Syntax Conventions<Boolean> Data TypeA Boolean data type for a parameter and response represents a single binary condition that iseither True or False. Boolean values are defined as follows:• 0 or OFF – indicates that the condition is False• 1 or ON – indicates that the condition is True
Note that the characters OFF and ON are not case sensitive. While a DT8824 LXI instrument
module accepts the characters OFF and ON instead of 0 and 1, if queried, these instrument
modules return Boolean responses as either 0 or 1.

<Block> Data TypeThe <Block> data type is used to transfer array and system-defined blocks of data between thecontroller and the instrument module. This is the most efficient data format for transferring
data.
Figure 6 shows the format of the <Block> data type:Figure 6: Block Data Typewhere:• # is the starting character of the block• <non-zero digit> is a single decimal value that specifies how many digits will follow in
the next field• <digit> is a value in <NR1> format that specifies how many <8-bit data byte>s follow. In
effect, this field specifies the length, in bytes, of the remainder of the block.
• <8-bit data byte> specifies each 8-bit byte of the block. (The number of 8-bit data bytes is
specified in the preceding field. ) The contents of this block of bytes is dependent on thespecific command.

23

Chapter 1

Note: Prior to interpreting multi-byte values, such as floats, integers, unsigned integers,
and so on, you must convert values from network-byte order (where the highest bytes aresent first; i.e., big-endian) to host-byte-order (where the lowest bytes are read first, i.e.,
little endian).

The following example shows how a block of five data bytes is formatted:#1<5><b0><b1><b2><b3><b4>24Syntax Conventions

SCPI Expression TypesSCPI defines five types of expressions:• Numeric expressions• Channel lists• Numeric lists• Data Interchange Format (DIF) expressions• Instrument-specifier expressions
The following subsections summarize these expressions. Refer to the SCPI standard document
for more information about these expressions.

Numeric Expressions
A numeric expression is a collection of terms which evaluates to a trace, number, array, orother data element. Expressions can contain terms which are numbers, traces, variables, or
expressions. The syntax of a numeric expression is shown in Figure 7:

Figure 7: Syntax of a Numeric Expression

where,• <numeric_operator> is defined as one of the following operators: +, –, *, /, ^, MOD, DIV,
ADD, OR, EXOR
• <unary_numeric_operator> is defined as one of the following operators: –, +, NOT. Unary
operators should not be used with signed numbers.
• <variable> or <trace_name> is defined as character program data25

Chapter 1
Expressions are evaluated according to the following precedence rules:
1. Enclosed by parentheses
2. Unary operators (+ and -)3. ^(exponentiation)
4. * (multiplication), / (division), MOD and DIV
5. + (addition) and - (subtraction)
6. NOT
7. AND
8. OR and EXOR
9. Left to right
Elements in a numeric expression are promoted to the size and type of the most complex
element, and the result of the expression is of that type. For example, an expression containinga <trace_name>is evaluated according to the rules for arithmetic on traces, and the result is a
trace. If an expression contains both a <trace_name> and scalar data, a trace is created with allelements set to the value of the scalar data before arithmetic is performed. For example, if
TREF is a trace_name, the expression (TREF-3) results in a trace that is the same size as TREF,
with each data element lower by three.

Channel Lists
DT8824 LXI instrument modules use channel lists as parameters in certain commands and in
responses to certain queries.
Channel lists are used to specify the analog input channels on a DT8824 LXI instrument
module that are used to measure input channels. A channel list may appear in a measurement,
configuration, or command. By design, all analog input channels that are specified in thechannel list are measured simultaneously.
The syntax of a channel list expression is shown in Figure 8:

Figure 8: Syntax of a Channel List Expression

26

Syntax Conventions
where:• ( is the starting character of the channel list
• @ is the next character of the channel list
• <channel range> consists of two channels in <NR1> format separated by a colon.
The first channel in the range must be lower than the second in the range. For example, for
analog input channels on the DT8824 instrument module, the first channel is 1 and the lastchannel is 4.
Separate multiple <channel_range> elements with commas.
• <channel> consists of one channel number in < NR1> format. Separate multiple<channel> elements with commas.
• ) terminates the channel list expression
For example, to set the gain on analog input channels 1 through 4, use one of the following
commands::AD:GAIN 16,(@1:4):AD:GAIN 16,(@1,2,3,4)
To set the gain for analog input channel 3 only, use this command::AD:GAIN 16,(@3)

Numeric Lists
A numeric list is a an expression format for compactly expressing numbers and ranges ofnumbers in a single parameter. The syntax of a numeric list expression is shown in Figure 9:

Figure 9: Syntax of Numeric List Expressions

27

Chapter 1
where:• <NRf> is an extended format, described on page 22.
• <numeric_range> is defined as two <NRf> data types separated by colons. The range isinclusive of the specified numbers.

Data Interchange Format (DIF) Expressions
The data interchange format is block-structured and lets software packages and instruments
share waveform and other data.
The following block types are available in DIF expressions:• DATA block – Contains the data.
• IDENtify block – Describes the manner and environment in which the data was obtained.
• DIMension, ORDer, and ENCode blocks – Describe how the data is physically represented
and logically organized.
• TRACe and VIEW blocks – Provide semantic information about the data.
• REMark block – Contains textual comments regarding the data.
• DIF block – Identifies the block as a <dif_expression> and describes the version of SCPI
that is used.
In a DIF expression, each hierarchical level of a block is introduced by a block name with its
subordinate elements enclosed in parentheses. A block may have a modifier and may contain
subordinate blocks and keyword units, or both. Keyword units consist of a keyword followed
by one or more values. If a keyword has more than one value, the values are separated bycommas. The following example shows a simple data set. All blocks and keywords areindented to show their hierarchical relationship:(DIF (VERSion 1993.0)
IDENtify (NAME "Data Format Example"
TEST (NUMBer "7D4", "2.4"))
ENCode (HRANge 75
RANge 25)
DIMension=X (TYPE IMPLicit
SCALe 0.01
SIZE 7
UNITs "S")DIMension=Y (TYPE EXPLicit
SCALe 0.02
OFFSet 0.1UNITs "V")DATA (
CURVe(
VALues 49.0, 48.0, 50.2, 61.3, 68.5, 38.6, 48.0)))28

Syntax Conventions
The data interchange format overall is formatted as an IEEE 488.2 <EXPRESSION PROGRAM
DATA> element. Within this element, the various blocks, modifiers, keywords, and value
types are composed of syntactic elements that, for the most part, are identical to thecorresponding types specified in IEEE 488.2 or a subset of them. Refer to the IEEE 488.2
standard for more information.

Instrument-Specifier Expressions
An <instrument_specifier> is a combination of one or more base functionality keywords alongwith optional additional functionality keywords that define an instrument class. The syntax ofan instrument-specifier expression is shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10: Syntax of an Instrument-Specifier Expression

where:• ( is the starting character of the instrument-specifier expression• <and_or_operator> is either ‘&’ (ASCII hexadecimal 26) or ‘|’ (ASCII hexadecimal 7C)• <bf_keyword> is a base functionality keyword• <af_expression> includes additional <and_or_operator>s and additional functionality
keywords• ) terminates the instrument-specifier expression

29

Chapter 1

30

2
Using SCPI Commands with DT8824
Instrument Modules
Installing SCPI Support Files for the DT8824. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Configuring the LAN Settings of the DT8824 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Performing Input Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Performing Digital Output Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

31

Chapter 2

Installing SCPI Support Files for the DT8824
If you have not already done so, install the SCPI support files, including the documentation
for your DT8824 LXI instrument module, this manual, and the SCPI example programs for theDT8824, by performing the following steps:
1. Insert the DT8824 CD into your CD-ROM or DVD drive.
The installation program should automatically start, and the DT8824 installation program should
appear.
2. If the installation program does not automatically start, double-click Setup.exe from theCD.
The DT8824 installation program appears.
3. Click Install from Web (recommended) to get the latest version of the software or Installfrom CD to install the software from the CD.
4. If you are installing from the web, click the link to install the DT8824 SCPI software.
5. If you are installing from the DT8824 CD, perform these steps:
a. Click Install DT8824 Software.
b. Click Install Selected Features and follow the prompts to install the example
programs and documentation.
c.

When you are finished with the DT8824 CD, click Quit Installer.

To access the SCPI documentation and examples for the DT8824, from the Windows Startmenu, click Programs -> Data Translation, Inc -> Instruments -> DT8824 ->SCPI Support.

32

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules

Configuring the LAN Settings of the DT8824
The Ethernet address of a DT8824 instrument module consists of two parts:• The IP address – The “Internet Protocol” numeric address that identifies where messages
are sent or received on the LAN (Local Area Network).
• Subnet mask – A 32-bit value that enables the recipient of IP packets to distinguish the
network ID and host ID portions of the IP address.
The instrument module can acquire an Ethernet address in one of the following ways:• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server) – The address is set by the network
server automatically when the DT8824 instrument module is powered on. The address isdifferent each time the instrument module is powered on.
By default, DHCP is enabled for DT8824 instrument modules.
• Auto-IP – If the DHCP server is not available, the instrument module configures its own
IP address in the range of 169.254.0.0 to 169.254.255.255 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0.
Like with DHCP, the address is different each time the instrument module is powered on.
By default, Auto-IP is enabled for DT8824 instrument modules.
• Static IP – Using SCPI commands, you can specify the static IP address of the instrument
module. The static IP address does not change when the instrument module is poweredon.
The following subsections provide information about configuring and returning the LAN
settings of DT8824 instrument modules.

Setting the Static IP and Subnet Mask of the Instrument Module
You can configure the static IP address and subnet mask of the instrument module on the
LAN using the following SCPI commands:• Set the static IP address of the instrument module using the
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr command, described on page 79.
• Set the subnet mask of the instrument module using the
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk command, described on page 80.

Specifying a Description of the Instrument Module
To make identifying the instrument module easier, you can specify a description of the
instrument module using the SYSTem:DESCription command, described on page 73.

33

Chapter 2

Getting Information about the Instrument Module
Using SCPI commands, you can return the following information about each DT8824
instrument module on the LAN:
• IP address – Use the SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IP? query, described on page 80,
to return the IP address of the instrument module, regardless of the method (DHCP,
Auto-IP, static IP) used to acquire the address.
• Subnet mask – Use the SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk? command, describedon page 81, to return the subnet mask of the instrument module, regardless of the method(DHCP, Auto-IP, static IP) used to acquire the subnet mask.
• Description – Use the SYSTem:DESCription? command, described on page 74, to returnthe description of the instrument module.

34

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules

Using Password-Protected Commands
The DT8824 and DT8824-HV instruments implement authentication using a single,
user-configurable password. The password is saved in permanent memory in the instrument.

Note: The instrument’s web interface, IVI-COM driver, and SCPI interface use the same
password.

On power up, all SCPI commands that either change the configuration of the instrument oroperate the instrument are disabled, by default. This is to prevent unauthorized access to an
instrument by some client on the network.
By using the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on page 83, you can enable
password-protection. When password protection is enabled, the correct password must be
issued to use the following SCPI commands:• AD:BUFFer:MODE, described on page 93• AD:ENABle, described on page 96• AD:GAIN[:CONFigure], described on page 99• [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce, described on page 97• AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure], described on page 101• AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105• AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE, described on page 109• AD:ARM, described on page 92• AD:INITiate, described on page 114• AD:ABORt, described on page 91• DOUTput, described on page 130• DOUTput:AND, described on page 128• DOUTput:OR, described on page 129• EVENt:DOMain, described on page 121• EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe, described on page 122• EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle], described on page 125• WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle, described on page 117• SYSTem:DESCription, described on page 73• *RST, described on page 59• *CLS, described on page 54
To disable the use of password-protected commands, use the SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable
command, described on page 81.

35

Chapter 2
You can determine whether password-protected commands are disabled or enabled using the
SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe? command, described on page 85.
The default password is admin for the DT8824 and DT8824-HV instruments.
You change the password from the current password that is stored in permanent memory in
the instrument to a new password using the LAN configuration page of the web interface forthe instrument, through the IVI-COM driver, or through the SCPI command
SYSTem:PASSword:NEW, described on page 86.
A SCPI client that wishes to configure and/or operate a DT8824 or DT8824-HV instrument
should use these commands as follows:
1. Use the query :SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe? to determine if password-protectedcommands are enabled.
The following example shows that password-protected commands are disabled:-> *IDN?
<- Data Translation,DT8874,10449004,2.0.0.0-> :SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe?
<- 0
2. If password-protected commands are disabled, enable password-protected commands byusing SYSTem:PASSword:CENable. If this command is successful, the client canconfigure the instrument and operate it. An example follows:-> :SYST:PASS:CEN admin-> :SYST:ERR?
<- 0,"No error"-> :SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe?
<- 1-> :AD:GAIN 1, (@1,2)-> :AD:GAIN 16, (@3,4)-> :SYST:ERR?
<- 0,"No error"
3. If this command is successful, the client can configure the instrument and start scans.
4. To prevent some other SCPI client, locally or on the LAN, from stopping the scan andmodifying the configuration, the client that enabled password-protected commands
should issue SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable.
The following example shows an attempt to disable protected commands using anerroneous password:-> :SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable bogus-> :SYST:ERR?
<- -221,"Settings conflict;:SYST:PASS:CDIS"

36

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules
The following is an example in which the correct password is used to disable protectedcommands:-> :SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable admin-> :SYST:ERR?
<- 0,"No error"-> :SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe?
<- 0
Since protected commands are disabled, any attempt to use them will fail, as shown in thefollowing example:-> :AD:GAIN 1, (@1,2)-> :SYST:ERR?
<- -203,"Command protected;AD:GAIN"-> :AD:INIT-> :SYST:ERR?
<- -203,"Command protected;AD:INIT"
In this scenario, one “master” SCPI client can configure the instrument, start scans, anddisable SCPI commands. Since all queries are permitted regardless of the state ofpassword protection, any client can perform FETCh? and other queries. The "master" caneventually enable password-protected commands and stop scans. The password should
not be shared and should only be known by the master SCPI client.
5. At any time, the password can be changed using SYSTem:PASSword:NEW. Note that thiscommand is never disabled.
The following example shows an attempt to change the password using a wrong
password:-> :SYST:PASS:NEW bogus, admin1-> :SYST:ERR?
<- -221,"Settings conflict;:SYST:PASS:NEW"In the following example, the existing password admin is successfully changed to admin1:-> :SYST:PASS:NEW admin, admin1-> :SYST:ERR?
<- 0,"No error"
The following example shows that the old password admin is no longer in use and thenew password admin1 is in effect:-> :SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable admin-> :SYST:ERR?
<- -221,"Settings conflict;:SYST:PASS:CDIS"-> :SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable admin1-> :SYST:ERR?
<- 0,"No error"-> :SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe?
<- 0

37

Chapter 2

Performing Input Operations
You can acquire data from up to four analog input channels on the DT8824 LXI instrument
module. The input operation starts when the specified trigger source is detected. The
operation is paced by the specified clock source at the specified input clock frequency.
To set up and acquire input data from the DT8824 or DT8824-HV using SCPI commands,
perform the following steps:
1. Enable and configure the analog input channels that you want to sample, as described on
page 38.
2. Set up the input buffer, as described on page 39.
3. Set up the clock that paces the input operation, as described on page 40.
4. Set up the trigger that starts the input operation, as described on page 42.
5. Arm the analog input subsystem, as described on page 47.
6. If you are using the software trigger source (IMMediate), initiate the input operation, as
described on page 47.
7. (Optional) Determine the status of the input operation, as described on page 47.
8. Retrieve the data from the input buffer on the DT8824, as described on page 48.
9. If desired, stop the operation, as described on page 50.

Enabling and Configuring Analog Input Channels
The DT8824 instrument module supports four, 24-bit, differential analog input channels(numbered 1 to 4).
Enable the analog input channels you want to sample by using the AD:ENABle command. To
determine whether specified analog input channels are enabled or disabled, use the
AD:ENABle? query.

Configuring the Input Range and Gain
The DT8824 provides an input range of ±10 V and software-selectable gains of 1, 8, 16, and 32.
This provides effective input ranges of ±10 V when the gain is 1, ±1.25 V when the gain is 8,±0.625 V when the gain is 16, and ±0.3125 V when the gain is 32.
The DT8824-HV supports a bipolar range of ±600 V and software-selectable gains of 1, 8, 16,
and 32. This provides effective input ranges of ±600 V when the gain is 1, ±75 V when the gain
is 8, ±37.5 V when the gain is 16, and ±18.75 V when the gain is 32.
You can determine the maximum full-scale voltage range of the instrument by using the
SYSTem:RANge[:MAX]? query.
You can set the gain for each analog input channel programmatically using the
AD:GAIN[:CONFigure] command. To return the current gain setting for each analog input
channel, use the AD:GAIN[:CONFigure]? query.

38

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules

Configuring the Input Buffer
DT8824 instrument modules use an 8 MB input buffer for storing data from each of up to 4
enabled input channels (analog input channels 1, 2, 3, 4). One sample from each of the enabled
input channels is called a scan.
You can use the AD:BUFFer:MODE command to specify one of the following wrap modes forthe input buffer:• Continuous wrap mode – Specify WRAp mode if you want the input operation tocontinue indefinitely until you stop it using the AD:ABORt command. In this case, whenthe end of the input buffer is reached, the operation wraps to the beginning of the input
buffer overwriting the oldest scan data with the latest scan data.
• No wrap mode – Specify NOWRAp mode if you want the input operation to stop
automatically when the input buffer is filled.
To verify the currently configured wrap mode for the input buffer, use the
AD:BUFFer:MODE? query.
You can use the AD:BUFFer:SIZe[:SCAns]? query to determine how many scans can be
stored in the input buffer based on the number of enabled input channels and the input
sampling rate.

Note: The sampling rate determines DMA block size that is used for the scan data, where
each block has a fixed number of header bytes that is not used to store scans. The DMA block
size is smaller for the minimum sampling frequency, resulting in more space for the headers,and greater for the maximum sampling frequency.
Since the maximum input buffer size is 8 MB and each sample is 4 bytes, you can store amaximum of 2 M samples in the input buffer. If you sample each input channel at the
maximum input frequency (4800 Hz), the input buffer will fill in approximately 106 seconds(4800 samples/s per channel).
The maximum size of data transfer over Ethernet using the AD:FETCh? command is 32 kB.
Since each sample is 4 bytes, the maximum number of samples per AD:FETCh? is
8 ksamples. Therefore, if you are using continuous wrap mode, ensure that you call
AD:FETCh? in a tight loop to ensure that you retrieve all the samples in the input buffer
before the buffer is overwritten.

39

Chapter 2

Configuring the Input Clock Source
Using the [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce command, you can specify one of the following clock
sources as the source of the reference clock for the ADC master clock generator:• Internal clock – Selects the internal reference clock on the DT8824 instrument module.
• LXI7 – When multiple DT8824 instrument modules are connected together using the
Trigger Bus, as shown in Figure 11, LXI7 selects the dedicated clock signal on the Trigger
Bus that is used to synchronize the clock on the connected DT8824 instrument modules.
In this configuration, one DT8824 instrument module is the clock master and theremaining DT8824 instrument modules are slaves.
DT8824Clock MasterDT8824
Slave 1

DT8824
Slave nClock Source = INTClock Source = LXI7

Clock Source = LXI7

A/D Sampling
Frequency= 1.175
Hz to 4800 Hz

LXI6 - Sync
Enabledand Driven
LXI7 - Clock
Enabled andDrivenA/D Sampling
Frequency = 1.175
Hz to 4800 Hz

LXI6 - Sync

A/D Sampling
Frequency = 1.175
Hz to 4800 Hz

LXI7 - Clock

Note: LXI bus terminators must be
installed for the first and last instrument
modules in the Trigger Bus chain.

Figure 11: Synchronizing the Clock on Multiple DT8824 Instrument Modules
for Analog Input Operations

If you are using only one DT8824 instrument module or if you are using multiple DT8824
instrument modules but do not want to synchronize their clocks, set up the clocks as follows:
1. Use the [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce command to set the clock source to INTernal. This
command configures the device to use the internal clock reference.
2. Use the AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure] command to specify the sampling
frequency of the analog input subsystem. The sampling frequency ranges from 1.175 Hz
to 4800 Hz.

40

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules
If you want to synchronize the clocks of multiple DT8824 instrument modules that areconnected together using the Trigger Bus, set up the DT8824 instrument modules as follows:

Note: Ensure that you perform this procedure before you set up the triggers (as describedon page 45), and before you arm the subsystems (as described on page 47).

1. On the DT8824 slave, use the [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce command to set the reference clock
source to LXI7. This command configures the slave device to receive the clock signal(LXI7) from the Trigger Bus; in to receive the synchronization pulse (LXI6) from the
Trigger Bus.
2. On the DT8824 clock master, use the [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce command to set the reference
clock source to INTernal. This command configures the clock master to use the internal
clock reference; in addition, this command automatically configures the clock master to
use the internal ADC synchronization pulse.
3. On the DT8824 clock master, use the WTB:LXI7[:OUTput]:ENABle command to driveout the clock signal (LXI7) on the Trigger Bus. This command also drives out the ADC
synchronization pulse (LXI6) on the Trigger Bus.
4. On each DT8824 slave, use the AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure] command to
specify the sampling frequency of the analog input subsystem. The sampling frequency
ranges from 1.175 Hz to 4800 Hz.

Notes: For proper operation, it is important that you configure the clock frequency of theslave instrument modules before configuring the clock frequency of the clock master.
It is also recommended that you choose the same sampling frequency for all instrument
modules to avoid problems.

5. On the DT8824 clock master, use the AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure] command to
specify the sampling frequency of the analog input subsystem. The sampling frequency
ranges from 1.175 Hz to 4800 Hz.
Once the clocks are configured, the clock and sync signals are sent over the Trigger Bus to all
slaves. The analog input operation on each slave starts on the first sample clock pulse after thetrigger is received. Refer to page 42 for information on triggering DT8824 instrument
modules.

Note: If you change the sampling frequency of one or more slave instrument modules, youmust reconfigure the clock frequency of the clock master, even if its parameters have notchanged.

41

Chapter 2
To return the currently configured reference clock source, use the [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce?
query. To return the currently configured ADC synchronization source, use the
AD:SYNc:SOURce? query.
The actual sampling frequency that the device can achieve may be slightly different than thefrequency you specified due to the accuracy of the clock. You can determine the actual
sampling frequency that is configured using the AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]?
query.

Note: DT8824 instrument modules use 24-bit Delta-Sigma ADCs that provide anti-aliasing
filters based on the sampling frequency.
According to sampling theory (Nyquist Theorem), specify a frequency that is at least twice as
fast as the input’s highest frequency component. For example, to accurately sample a 20 kHz
signal, specify a sampling frequency of at least 40 kHz to avoid aliasing.
DT8824 instrument modules support a wide pass band of 0.5 Hz to 25.8 kHz (0.49 x sampling
frequency) to eliminate aliasing, allowing you to measure low frequency signals accurately at
the Nyquist sampling rate.

Configuring the Input Trigger
A trigger is an event that occurs based on a specified set of conditions. Once the analog input
subsystem is armed with the AD:ARM command (and, if the trigger source is IMMediate,
started with the AD:INITiate command), acquisition starts with the first sample after thetrigger is received. Refer to page 47 for more information on the AD:ARM and AD:INITiate
commands.

Note: The Input Trigger LED on the front panel of the DT8824 instrument module turns
solid amber when the analog input subsystem is armed and solid green when the analog
input subsystem is triggered. When the analog input subsystem is idle, the Input Trigger LED
is off.

This section describes each of the supported trigger sources in detail. To return the currently
configured trigger source, use the AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]? query.

Software Trigger
A software trigger event occurs when you start the analog input operation with the
AD:INITiate command (the computer issues a write to the instrument module to begin
conversions).
Use the AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] command with the IMMediate parameter to select thesoftware trigger.

42

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules

External, Digital (TTL) Trigger
An external digital (TTL) trigger event occurs when the instrument module detects arising-edge transition on the signal connected to the Trigger In input on the instrument
module.
Use the AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] command with the EXTernal parameter to specify theexternal, digital (TTL) trigger.
You can configure the edge of the external trigger that starts the analog input operation byusing the AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE] command with one of the following parameters:• NEGative – The falling edge of the external trigger starts the analog input operation.
• POSitive – The rising edge of the external trigger starts the analog input operation.
To return the currently configured trigger edge, use the AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE? query.

LAN Trigger Packet
When multiple DT8824 instrument modules are connected together over the local area
network (LAN), as shown in 12, you can synchronize the start of acquisition by transmitting
one of eight LAN trigger packets (LAN0 to LAN7) over the network.

Computer
LAN

DT8824
1

DT8824
2

DT8824
3

DT8824nFigure 12: Synchronizing the Start of Acquisition When Triggering Instrument Modules
Over the LAN

The timing of the trigger packets from device to device is dependent on the network traffic on
the LAN.
The DT8824 supports multicast transmission of LAN trigger packets using UDP (User
Datagram Protocol) port 5044 and UDP multicast address 224.0.23.159. The DT8824 does notsupport unicast LAN events transmitted via TCP connections.
Figure 13 shows the format of a LAN trigger packet:

43Chapter 2

HW
Detect(3 bytes)

Domain(1 byte)Time
Event ID Sequencestamp(16 bytes) (UInt32) (10 bytes)

Epoch(UInt16)

Flags(UInt16)

Data
Fields0(2 Bytes)Figure 13: Format of a LAN Trigger Packet

The fields of the LAN trigger packet are described as follows:• HW Detect – Identifies valid packets and is reserved for future hardware detection of
LAN events. This field should be set to LXI. Note that the third byte, ASCII "I", is also used
as a version identifier; future revisions to the LXI standard may change this value.
• Domain – This field represents a group of devices that are managed by a single directory
and use shared resources. Values for the LXI domain range from 0 to 255. The default
value is 0. This field is treated as an unsigned byte.
To transmit LAN trigger packets to or from a DT8824 instrument module, ensure that you
set the domain field of each DT8824 instrument module to the same value using theEVENt:DOMain command.
• Event ID – This field contains the first 16 bytes of the event name (a string). By default, theLAN event names are defined as LAN0 to LAN7.
To transmit LAN trigger packets to or from a DT8824 instrument module, ensure that you
set the event ID of each DT8824 instrument module to the same value using theEVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe command.
• Sequence – Each instrument module maintains its own sequence; the sequence number isincremented every time a unique packet is transmitted. (Note that if packets are
retransmitted to enhance reliability, re-transmitted packets contain the same sequencenumber as the original.)• Time stamp – For DT8824 instrument modules, the time stamp of received LAN event
packets is ignored, while generated LAN event packets have a time stamp of 0.
• Epoch – For DT8824 instrument modules, this value is 0.
• Flags – Contains data about the packet. This value is generated automatically by DT8824
instrument modules.
• Data Fields – Arbitrary number of bytes, up to the capacity of the data packet. This field isgenerated automatically by DT8824 instrument modules.
To set up a LAN trigger, do the following:
1. Set the trigger source to a LAN trigger packet (LAN0 to LAN7) using the
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] command.
2. Set the value of the LXI domain octet using the EVENt:DOMain command.
3. Enable the LAN event for transmission using the EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle]command.

44

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules
4. Configure the LAN event ID field of the LXI packet using the EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe
command.
5. Arm the analog input subsystem, as described on page 47.
Acquisition starts with the first sample after the specified LAN trigger packet is received.

Trigger Bus
When multiple DT8824 instrument modules are connected together using the Trigger Bus, as
shown in 14, you can synchronize the start of acquisition using one of six LXI trigger signals:
LXI0 to LXI5.
DT8824
Trigger Master
Trigger Source =IMMediate,
EXTernal,or LAN0 to LAN7

DT8824
Slave 1

LXI0 to LXI5 Trigger
Enabled andDrivenDT8824
Slave nTrigger Source =LXI0, LXI1, LXI2,
LXI3, LXI4, or LXI5

LXI0 to LXI5

Trigger Source =LXI0, LXI1, LXI2,
LXI3, LXI4, or LXI5

Note: LXI bus terminators must be
installed for the first and last instrument
modules in the Trigger Bus chain.

Figure 14: Synchronizing the Start of Acquisition When Connecting
Multiple Instrument Modules to the Trigger Bus

Note: When using LXI triggers, the timing from device to device is guaranteed to be within
one sample pulse.

Unlike when synchronizing the clock of multiple instrument modules, which requires one
DT8824 instrument module dedicated as the clock master, you can have more than one trigger
master, if desired, to trigger multiple instrument modules. Additionally, the trigger masterneed not be the clock master; for example, a device other than the DT8824 can generate thetrigger for the DT8824 instrument modules, if desired. 15 shows an example of using two
DT8824 trigger masters on the Trigger Bus.

45

Chapter 2

DT8824
Trigger Master 1
Trigger Source= EXTernal

External
DigitalTrigger

DT8824
Trigger Master 2

DT8824
Slave 1
LXI0 Trigger
EnabledandDrivenTrigger Source= LXI0Slave 1 is triggeredby Trigger Master 1.

Trigger Source= LAN0LXI0DT8824
Slave 2

LXI0

Trigger Source= LXI5

LXI5 Trigger
EnabledandDrivenLAN
Trigger
PacketSlave 2 is triggeredby Trigger Master 2.

Note: LXI bus terminators must be
installed for the first and last instrument
modules in the Trigger Bus chain.

Figure 15: An Example of Using Two Trigger Masters on the Trigger Bus

Note: Ensure that you set up the clocks (as described on page 41) before you set up thetriggers. Arm the subsystems (as described on page 47) after both the clocks and triggers
have been set up.

Set up the triggers as follows:
1. On the DT8824 trigger master, use the AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] command to set thetrigger source to software trigger (IMMediate), external digital trigger (EXTernal), or LAN
trigger packet (LAN0 to LAN7).
2. If the trigger source is EXTernal, configure the trigger edge using the
AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE command.
3. If the trigger source is LAN0 to LAN7, configure the LAN event trigger, as follows:a. Set the value of the LXI domain octet using the EVENt:DOMain command.
b. Enable the LAN event for transmission using theEVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle] command.
c.

Configure the LAN event ID field of the LXI packet using the EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe
command.

4. On each DT8824 slave, use the AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] command to select the trigger
signal (LXI0 to LXI5) to receive from the Trigger Bus.
5. On the DT8824 trigger master, use the WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle command todrive out the LXI trigger signal (LXI0 to LXI5) on the Trigger Bus.

46

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules

Note: If you change the input trigger source on the master, you must call the
WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle command again to ensure that the LXI trigger signal isdriven out on the Trigger Bus.
While a trigger master can drive out more than one trigger signal on the Trigger Bus, theslave can accept only one trigger signal to start the analog input operation.

6. Arm the analog input subsystem on each slave, as described below.
7. Arm the analog input subsystem on the trigger master, as described below.
8. If the trigger source of the DT8824 trigger master is IMMediate (software trigger), initiate
the operation, as described on page 47.
Once the master is triggered, the specified LXI trigger signal is driven out on the Trigger Bus
to all slaves that were configured to accept it. Acquisition starts on the first sample after thetrigger is received.

Arming Input Operations
Once you have configured all the parameters of the analog input subsystem, call the AD:ARM
command to arm the subsystem. The arming process writes all the input configuration
settings to the DT8824 hardware.
Then, use the AD:STATus? command, described below, or read bit 10 of the Operation Status
register using the STATus:OPERation:CONDition? command to verify that the arming
process is complete.

Starting Input Operations
If you are using the software (IMMediate) trigger source and have armed the analog input
subsystem, you must start the analog input operation by issuing the AD:INITiate command.
For all other trigger sources, AD:INITiate is ignored.
When the software trigger is detected, the analog input subsystem simultaneously samples all
the enabled input channels, and converts the analog inputs to voltage.
How the operation stops depends on the buffer wrap mode, described on page 39.

Determining the Status of the Analog Input Subsystem
You can use the AD:STATus? command to determine the status of the analog input
subsystem. The returned value, in the range of 0 to 255, represents the status bits for the
analog input subsystem.
The status bits are defined as follows:• Bit 0 – The value of this bit is 1 if the analog input subsystem is active or 0 if the analog
input subsystem is inactive.

47

Chapter 2• Bit 1 – The value of this bit is 1 if the analog input subsystem is armed or 0 if the analog
input subsystem is not armed.
• Bit 2 – The value of this bit is 1 if the analog input subsystem is triggered or 0 if the analog
input subsystem is not triggered.
• Bit 3 – The value of this bit is 1 if AD SYNC was detected or 0 if AD SYNC was notdetected.
• Bit 4 – The value of this bit is 1 if the AD FIFO overflowed or 0 if the AD FIFO did not
overflow.

Retrieving Scan Data from the Input Buffer
To retrieve scan data from the input buffer, use the AD:FETCh? command.

Note: At any instant, up to 12 SCPI clients can retrieve a client-specific number of scansconcurrently from the input buffer of the instrument module using the AD:FETCh?
command.
Of the 12 SCPI clients, 4 can be VXI-11 clients, which use the VISA::INSTR resource to accessthe instrument module.
Up to 8 additional clients can access the DT8824 instrument modules concurrently using the
web interface provided with the device. Refer to the documentation for your instrument
module for more information.
At this time, the SCPI and web interfaces cannot be "locked;" therefore, one client can change
the configuration of the instrument module that another client is accessing. However, you
can optionally lock the VXI-11 interface using the VISA APIs viLock/viUnlock; this prevents
other VXI-11 clients (including VXI-11 discovery) from accessing the instrument module.

The AD:FETCh? command takes two parameters:• index – a required parameter that specifies where in the input buffer to begin reading thescan data• number of scans – an optional parameter that specifies the number of scans to retrieve fromthe input buffer
By using index and number of scans, any client can request data at arbitrary intervals. To request
all the data from the input buffer, set the index to 0 and omit the number of scans parameter.

48

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules

Note: If the number of scans parameter is omitted, a fixed number of scan records is returned.
Since the maximum input buffer size is approximately 8 MB and each sample is 4 bytes, you
can store a maximum of approximately 2 Msamples in the input buffer. If you sample each
input channel at the maximum input frequency (4800 Hz), the input buffer will fill inapproximately 106 seconds (4800 samples/s per channel).
The maximum size of data transfer over Ethernet using the AD:FETCh? command is 32 kB.
Since each sample is 4 bytes, the maximum number of samples per AD:FETCh? is 8
ksamples. Therefore, if you are using continuous wrap mode, ensure that you call
AD:FETCh? in a tight loop to ensure that you retrieve all the samples in the input buffer
before the buffer is overwritten.
You can use the AD:BUFFer:SIZe[:SCAns]? query to determine how many scans can be
stored in the input buffer based on the number of enabled input channels and the input
sampling rate. Note that the sampling rate determines DMA block size that is used for thescan data, where each block has a fixed number of header bytes that is not used to store scans.
The DMA block size is smaller for the minimum sampling frequency, resulting in more space
for the headers, and greater for the maximum sampling frequency.

If you want to read only a specified number of scans (instead of all the scans available), specify
the number of scans that you want to retrieve in the number of scans parameter.
If more than the requested number scans has been acquired, the DT8824 instrument module
returns only the scans that you requested between the starting index (index) and the ending
index (index + number of scans). Conversely, if fewer than the requested number of scans has
been acquired, the instrument module returns the subset of the requested scans that areavailable between the starting index (index) and the ending index (index + number of scans).
If all the input channels are enabled, samples returned in the scan record are ordered asfollows:• Chan 1 – analog channel 1• Chan 2 – analog channel 2• Chan 3 – analog channel 3• Chan 4 – analog channel 4
Reading data from the input buffer with AD:FETCh? does not destroy the data; therefore, you
can read the same data multiple times, if desired, providing that the input buffer has not been
overwritten.
If the client wants to read a number of scans that chronologically follow a previous response,
get the EndingIndex returned by the AD:STATus:SCAn? command, described on page 103,
add one to this value, and set the Index parameter of the next AD:FETCh? command to thisvalue. For example, if EndingIndex returned by AD:STATus:SCAn? is 2050 and you want tocontinue reading data from the location where you left off, set Index in the next AD:FETCh?
command to 2051.

49

Chapter 2

Note: The Index parameter of the AD:FETCh? command is an unsigned, 4-byte value with amaximum value of 232 – 1 or 4294967295. The value of Index starts at 0 when data acquisition
starts, increments to 4294967295, then rolls over to 0 and continues incrementing.
If you scanning with a sample frequency of 4800 Hz, the value Index will rollover to 0 in
approximately ten days. For slower sampling frequencies, this process will take longer.

Stopping Input Operations
To stop an input operation that is in progress, issue the AD:ABORt command.
Note that if the buffer mode is NOWRAp, the operation stops automatically when the input
buffer has been filled. Refer to page 39 for more information on buffer modes.

50

Using SCPI Commands with DT8824 Instrument Modules

Performing Digital Output Operations
DT8824 instrument modules feature four, isolated digital output lines. The digital outputs are
solid-state relays that operate at ±30 V and 400 mA peak (AC or DC). Switching time is 2 ms
maximum. Digital outputs resemble a switch; the switch is closed if the state of the digital
output line is 1, and the switch is open if the state of the digital output line is 0. On power up
or reset, the digital outputs are disabled.
Use the DOUTput command to close or open a digital relay.
You can also change the value of specific digital output lines without affecting all of the digital
output lines by performing the following bitwise operations:• Use the DOUTput:AND command to compare the binary representations of a specified
value between 0 and 15 and the current value of the digital output port, and perform alogical AND operation on each pair of corresponding bits. If both bits are 1, the result is 1.
If both bits are 0, the result is 0. If one bit is 1 and the other bit 0, the result is 0.
The following example shows the result of a logical AND operation:

Table 3:
0101
AND

0011

=

0001

• OR – Use the DOUTput:OR command to compare the binary representations of a
specified value between 0 and 15 and the current value of the digital output port, andperform a logical OR operation on each pair of corresponding bits. If both bits are 1, theresult is 1. If both bits are 0, the result is 0. If one bit is 1 and the other bit 0, the result is 1.
The following example shows the result of a logical OR operation:

Table 4:
0101
OR

0011

=

0111

You can query the current configuration of the digital output port by using the DOUTput?
command.

51

Chapter 2

523
Common SCPI Commands
Clear Status (*CLS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Standard Event Status Enable Register (*ESE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Standard Event Status Enable Register Query (*ESE?). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Standard Event Status Register Query (*ESR?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Identification Query (*IDN?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Operation Complete (*OPC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Operation Complete Query (*OPC?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Reset (*RST) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Self-Test Query (*TST?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Service Request Enable (*SRE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Service Request Enable Query (*SRE?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Read Status Byte Query (*STB?). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Wait-to-Continue (*WAI). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

53

Chapter 3

Clear Status (*CLS)Description

Clears all event registers summarized in the Status Byte (STB) register,
described on page 150.

Syntax*CLS

Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
All queues that are summarized in the Status Byte (STB) register, except
the output queue, are emptied. The device is forced into the operation
complete idle state and the operation complete query idle state.

Example> *CLS

Standard Event Status Enable Register (*ESE)Description
Syntax

Enables specified bits in the Standard Event Status Enable register,
described on page 151.
*ESE <DECIMAL NUMERIC PROGRAM DATA>

Required Parameters
Name:
Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

An integer value expressed in base 2 (binary) that represents the weighted
bit value of the Standard Event Status Enable register. Values range from 0
to 255.

Response Data

54

DECIMAL NUMERIC PROGRAM DATA

NoneCommon SCPI Commands
Notes

The following table shows the bits of the Standard Event Status Enable
Register and the binary-weighted decimal value for each bit; see page 151
for more information on each of these bits:
BinaryBit Weight

Description01

OPC (Operation Complete)

1

2

RQC (Request Control)

2

4

QYE (Query ERROR)

38DDE (Device-Dependent ERROR)

4

16

E (Execution ERROR)

532

CME (Command ERROR)

664

NU (Not Used)

7

128

PON (Power on)

Refer to IEEE Std 488.2-1992, section 11.5.1.3, for more information.
ExampleThe following command enables bits 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the Standard
Event Status Enable register:> *ESE 189

See Also*ESE?, described next
*ESR?, described on page 56

Standard Event Status Enable Register Query (*ESE?)
Description

Returns the current value of the Standard Event Status Enable register,
described on page 151.

Syntax*ESE?

Parameters

None

Response Data

<NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA>Name:NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

An integer value expressed in base 2 (binary) that represents the weighted
bit value of the Standard Event Status Enable register. Values range from 0
to 255.

Notes

Refer to IEEE Std 488.2-1992, section 11.4.2.3.2, and IEEE Std 488.2, section
8.7.1, for more information.

55

Chapter 3
ExampleThe following command queries the Standard Event Status Enable register:> *ESE?
< 189
This value indicates that bits 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the Standard Event Status
Enable register are enabled.

See Also*ESE, described on page 54*ESR?, described on page 56

Standard Event Status Register Query (*ESR?)
Description

Returns the current value of the Standard Event Status register, describedon page 153, and then clears the register.

Syntax*ESR?

Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:

<NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA>NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

An integer value expressed in base 2 (binary) that represents the weighted
bit value of the Standard Event Status register.
The bits of the Standard Event Status Register are listed below along withthe binary-weighted decimal value for each bit; refer to page 153 for more
information on each of these bits:

Notes

56

Bit

BinaryWeightDescription01

OPC (Operation Complete)

1

2

RQC (Request Control)

2

4

QYE (Query ERROR)

38DDE (Device-Dependent ERROR)

4

16

E (Execution ERROR)

532

CME (Command ERROR)

664

NU (Not Used)

7

128

PON (Power on)

Bits in the Standard Event Status register should be unmasked by setting
the corresponding bit in the Standard Event Status Enable register. On
power up, the Standard Event Status Enable register is '0'; therefore, all bitsin the Standard Event Status register are masked. The summary of theStandard Event Status register is reflected in the Standard Event Status Bit
Summary (ESB) of the Status Byte register, described on page 150.

Common SCPI Commands
ExampleThe following example unmasks all error bits in the Standard Event Status
register:> *ESE?;*ESE 255;*ESE?
< 0;;255
Then, an illegal command is sent and the Standard Event Status register isqueried; a value of 32 is returned, indicating that bit 5 (Command Error) of
the Standard Event Status register was set:
> *bad> *ESR?
< 32
In the following example, ESE is set to an invalid value, causing bit 4 (E) tobe set:> *ESE 65535> *ESR?
< 16

See Also*ESE, described on page 54*ESE?, described on page 55*STB?, described on page 60

Identification Query (*IDN?)
Description

This command returns the unique identity of a DT8824 LXI instrument
module.

Syntax*IDN?

Parameters

None

Response Data
Data Format
Name:
Description:
Name:
Description:
Name:
Description:
Name:
Description:

Manufacturer,Model,Serial number,Firmware revision<ARBITRARY ASCII RESPONSE DATA>
Manufacturer
Defines the manufacturer of the instrument module. For DT8824 LXI
instrument modules, this response is Data Translation.
Model
Identifies the model of the DT8824 LXI instrument module.
Serial number
Identifies the serial number of the instrument module.
Firmware revision
Identifies the version of firmware that is loaded on the instrument module.

57

Chapter 3
Notes

Since the data format of the response is <ARBITRARY ASCII RESPONSE
DATA>, the *IDN? query should be the last <QUERY MESSAGE UNIT> ina <TERMINATED PROGRAM MESSAGE>.
Refer to IEEE 488.2-1992, sections 6.5.7.5, 8.7.11 and 10.14, for more
information.

Example> *IDN?
< Data Translation,DT8824,8029023,1.1
This response indicates that Data Translation is the manufacturer of thedevice, DT8824 is the model of the instrument module, 8029023 is the serial
number of the instrument module, and 1.1 is the version of the firmware.

Operation Complete (*OPC)Description

The Operation Complete bit (bit 0) of the Standard Event Status register,
described on page 153, is always enabled. Therefore, this command has noeffect when used with a DT8824 LXI instrument module.

Syntax*OPC

Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.

Example> *OPCSee Also*OPC?, described below

Operation Complete Query (*OPC?)
Description

Syntax*OPC?

Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:

<NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA>NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

A single ASCII-encoded byte for 1 (31, 49 decimal).

Example58

The Operation Complete bit (bit 0) of the Standard Event Status register,
described on page 153, is always enabled. Therefore, this command always
places the ASCII character 1 into the device’s Output Queue.

> *OPC?
< 31

Common SCPI Commands

Reset (*RST)Description

Clears the Standard Event Status register, message queue, error queue, andStatus Byte register, and stop any scans that are in progress.

Syntax*RST

Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
Refer to IEEE 488.2-1992, section 10.32, for more information.

Example> *RST

Self-Test Query (*TST?)
Description

Always returns 0 for DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

Syntax*TST?

Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:

<NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA>NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

This value is always 0 for DT8824 LXI instrument modules.

Notes

ExampleThis query has no effect. This command is implemented for SCPI
compliance to avoid error messages when it is sent by the controller to the
instrument module.
> *TST?
< 0

Service Request Enable (*SRE)
Description

SyntaxThe Service Request Enable register is not used on these instrument
modules. Therefore, this command has no effect when used with a DT8824
LXI instrument module.
*SRE <value>

Required Parameters
Name:

value

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

A positive decimal value; this value is ignored.

Response Data

None

59

Chapter 3
Notes

This command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.

Example> *SRE 255

See Also*SRE?, described below

Service Request Enable Query (*SRE?)
Description

The Service Request Enable register is not used on these instrument
modules. Therefore, this command places the ASCII character 0 into thedevice’s Output Queue.

Syntax*SRE?

Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:

<NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA>NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

A single ASCII-encoded byte for 0.

Notes
ExampleThis command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.
> *SRE?
< 0

Read Status Byte Query (*STB?)
Description

Returns the current value of the Status Byte register, described on page
150.

Syntax*STB?

Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:

<NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA>NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

The weighted sum of the bit values of the Status Byte register, ranging
from 0 to 255. The following bits, described in 1999 SCPI Syntax & Style,section 9, are supported by DT8824 LXI instrument modules:• Bit 7 (weighted bit value = 128) – Summary of device dependent
Operation Status Register• Bit 5 (weighted bit value = 32) – Event Status Bit Summary (ESB), '1'=
ESR is non-zero, '0' otherwise

60Common SCPI Commands
Description (cont.):• Bit 4 (weighted bit value = 16) – Message Available Queue Summary(MAV), '1'=message queue not empty• Bit 2 (weighted bit value = 4) – Error/Event Queue Summary, '1'=Error
queue not empty

Notes
ExampleRefer to IEEE 488.2-1992, section 10.36, for more information.
The following example shows a query that is correct and causes no errors:> *IDN?;*ESR?;*STB?
< Data Translation,DT8824,-1,1.2;0;16
This example shows an illegal command being sent and the status of the
Status Byte register and the error queue:> bad> *STB?
< 36
A value of 36 indicates that bits 5 (Standard Event Status Bit Summary)and 2 (Error / Event Queue Summary) of the Status Byte register are set.
The following example shows the status of the Event Status register:> *ESR?
< 32
A value of 32 indicates that bit 5 (Command Error) of the Event Status
register is set. The following updates the status of the Status Byte register:> *STB?
< 4
A value of 4 indicates that bit 2 (Error / Event Queue Summary) of the
Status Byte register is set. The following shows the error codes that are
returned, and updates the status of the Status Byte register:> :SYST:ERR?
< -110,"Command header error;bad"> :SYST:ERR?
< 0,"No error"> *STB?
< 0

61

Chapter 3

Wait-to-Continue (*WAI)
Description
Syntax*WAI

Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes
Example62This command has no effect when used with DT8824 LXI instrument
modules.

This command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid any error
message when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.
> *WAI4
SCPI Subsystem Commands
for the DT8824
SCPI Subsystem Command Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
STATus Subsystem Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
SYSTem Subsystem Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
AD Subsystem Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
WTB (Wired Trigger Bus) Subsystem Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
EVENt Subsystem Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
DOUTput Subsystem Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Note: In the examples in this section, the symbols > and < represent communication to andfrom the instrument module, respectively. Users do not explicitly send or receive thesesymbols.

63

Chapter 4

SCPI Subsystem Command Hierarchy
SCPI subsystem commands are hierarchical and are organized as an inverted tree structurewith the "root" at the top. Table 5 shows the hierarchy of SCPI subsystem commands forDT8824 LXI instrument modules.

Table 5: Hierarchy of SCPI Subsystem Commands
for DT8824 LXI Instrument Modules
STATus:OPERation[:EVENt]?
:CONDition?
:ENABle[?]:PRESet:QUEStionable[:EVENt]?
:CONDition?
:ENABle[?]SYSTem:DATE?
:DESCription[?]:ERRor:ALL?
[:NEXT]:COUNt?
:CODE

:ALL?
[:NEXT]?

:PASSword:NEW:CDISable[:CENable]:COMMunicate:CENable:STATe?

:NET:IP[?]:MASk[?]:TIME?
:TZONE?
:VERSion?
:RANge64[:MAX]?

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Table 5: Hierarchy of SCPI Subsystem Commands
for DT8824 LXI Instrument Modules (cont.)
AD:ABORt:ARM:BUFFer:CLOCk:MODE[?]:SIZe[:SCAns]?

:FREQuency[:CONFigure][?]:SOURce[?]:ENABle[?]:FETCh?
:GAIN[:CONFigure][?]:INITiate:STATus:SCAn?

:STATus?
:SYNc[:SOURce][?]:TRIGger[:SOURce][?]:FETCh?
:INITiate:READ:ENABle[?]:TRIGger[:SOURce][?]:STATus?
WTB:LXI<n>EVENt:DOMain[?]:LAN<n>[:OUTput]:NAMe[?]:TRANsmit

DOUTput:ENABle[?]:ENABle[?]

[?]
:AND
:OR

Looking at the STATus subsystem, for example, STATus is the root keyword of the command,
OPERation is a second-level keyword, and CONDition is a third-level keyword. The next
section describes the syntax of program messages and SCPI commands from the controller toa DT8824 LXI instrument module.

65

Chapter 4

STATus Subsystem Commands
The STATus subsystem includes the commands listed in Table 6 for determining theoperational status of a DT8824 LXI instrument module. This section describes each of thesecommands in detail.

Table 6: STATus Subsystem Commands
Type

66

Mnemonic

See

Operation Condition Register Query

STATus:OPERation:CONDition?

page 67

Operation Enable Register

STATus:OPERation:ENABle

page 67

Operation Enable Register Query

STATus:OPERation:ENABle?

page 68

Operation Event Register Query

STATus:OPERation[:EVENt]?

page 68

Presetting Registers

STATus:PRESet

page 69

Questionable Condition Register Query

STATus:QUEStionable:CONDition?

page 69

Questionable Enable Register

STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle

page 70

Questionable Enable Register Query

STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle?

page 70

Questionable Event Register Query

STATus:QUEStionable[:EVENt]?

page 70SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

Operation Condition Register Query
Description
SyntaxParameters

Returns the current value of the Operation Status register, described on
page 154.
:STATus:OPERation:CONDition?
None

Response Data

<NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA>Name:NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The weighted bit value of the Operation Status register. Values for the
response range from 0 to 32767.

Notes

You can query the bits of the Operation Status register to determine
whether the input and output buffers are full or empty, and whether the
input and output triggers have occurred.

ExampleThe following example shows the status of the Operation Status registerand the Status Byte register when the analog input subsystem is waiting to
be armed:> :STAT:OPER:COND?
< 64> *STB?
< 128
A value of 64 indicates that bit 6 (decimal value 64) of the Operation Status
registers is set to 1. A value of 128 indicates that bit 7 (Operation Status
Register Summary) of the Status Byte register is set to 1.
The following example shows the status of the Operation Status registerand the Status Byte register when the analog input subsystem is waiting
for a trigger:> :STAT:OPER:COND?
< 32> *STB?
< 128
A value of 32 indicates that bit 5 (decimal value 32) of the Operation Status
registers is set to 1. A value of 128 indicates that bit 7 (Operation Status
Register Summary) of the Status Byte register is set to 1.

Operation Event Register Enable
Description

SyntaxThe Operation Event register is not used on DT8824 LXI instrument
modules; therefore, this command has no effect on a DT8824 LXI
instrument module.
:STATus:OPERation:ENABle <bitmask>

67

Chapter 4
Required ParametersName:bitmask

Data Format:<NRr>

Description:

A non-decimal numeric value; this value is ignored by DT8824 LXI
instrument modules.

Response Data
Notes

None
This command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.

Example> :STAT:OPER:ENAB #B00000000

See Also

STATus:OPERation:CONDition?, described on page 67

Operation Enable Register Query
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response DataName:

The Operation Enable register is not used on DT8824 LXI instrument
modules; therefore, this query always returns 0.
:STATus:OPERation:ENABle?
None<bitmask>
bitmask

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The Operation Enable register is not used. Therefore, this value is always 0.

NotesThis command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.

Example> :STAT:OPER:ENAB?
< 0

See Also

STATus:OPERation:CONDition?, described on page 67

Operation Event Register Query
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data

68

The Operation Event register is not used on DT8824 LXI instrument
modules; therefore, this query always returns 0.
:STATus:OPERation[:EVENt]?
None<NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA>SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Name:

NUMERIC RESPONSE DATA

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The Operation Event register is not used. Therefore, the value of this
response is always 0.

NotesThis command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.

Example> :STAT:OPER:EVEN?
< 0

See Also

STATus:OPERation:CONDition?, described on page 67

Presetting Registers
Description
SyntaxThis command has no effect when used with a DT8824 LXI instrument
module.
:STATus:PRESet <value>

Required Parameters
Name:

value

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

For DT8824 LXI instrument modules, this value is ignored.

Response Data
Notes
ExampleNone
This command is implemented for SCPI compliance.
> :STAT:PRES 1

Questionable Condition Register Query
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data

The Questionable Condition register is not used on DT8824 LXI instrument
modules; therefore, this query always returns 0.
:STATus:QUEStionable:CONDition?
None<regvalue>Name:regvalue

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The Questionable Condition register is not used. Therefore, the value of
this response is always 0.

Notes
ExampleThis command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.
> :STAT:QUES:COND?
< 0

69

Chapter 4
See Also

STATus:OPERation:CONDition?, described on page 67

Questionable Enable Register
Description

SyntaxThe Questionable Enable register is not used on DT8824 LXI instrument
modules. Therefore, this command has no effect when used with a DT8824
LXI instrument module.
:STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle <bitmask>

Required ParametersName:bitmask

Data Format:<NRr>

Description:

A non-decimal numeric value; this value is ignored by DT8824 LXI
instrument modules.

Response Data
Notes
ExampleNone
This command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.
> :STAT:QUES:ENAB #B00000000

Questionable Enable Register Query
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data

The Questionable Enable register is not used on DT8824 LXI instrument
modules; therefore, this query always returns 0.
:STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle?
None<bitmask>

Name:

bitmask

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

The Questionable Enable register is not used. Therefore, the value of this
response is always 0.

Notes
ExampleThis command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.
> :STAT:QUES:ENAB?
< 0

Questionable Event Register Query
Description
Syntax70

The Questionable Event register is not used on DT8824 LXI instrument
modules; therefore, this query always returns 0.
:STATus:QUEStionable[:EVENt]?

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Parameters
Response DataNone
<regvalue>Name:regvalue

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The Questionable Event register is not implemented. Therefore, the value of
this response is always 0.

NotesThis command is implemented for SCPI compliance to avoid error
messages when it is sent by the controller to the instrument module.

Example> :STAT:QUES:EVEN?
< 0

See Also

STATus:OPERation:CONDition?, described on page 67

71

Chapter 4

SYSTem Subsystem Commands
The SYSTem subsystem includes the commands listed in Table 7. Use these commands tocalibrate DT8824 LXI instrument modules, query the status of scan records on DT8824 LXI
instrument modules, and configure or query global system settings, including the time, date,time zone, and network address of the instrument module. This section describes each of thesecommands in detail.

Table 7: SYSTem Subsystem Commands
Type

72

Mnemonic

See

Date Query

SYSTem:DATE?

page 73

Description

SYSTem:DESCription

page 73

Description Query

SYSTem:DESCription?

page 74

Error Query All

SYSTem:ERRor:ALL?

page 74

Error Query All Codes

SYSTem:ERRor:CODE:ALL?

page 75

Error Query Count

SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt?

page 76

Error Query Next

SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]?

page 77

Error Query Next Code

SYSTem:ERRor:CODE[:NEXT]?

page 78

LAN Static IP - Address Configuration

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr

page 79

LAN Static IP - Address Query

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr?

page 80

LAN Static IP - Subnet Mask Configuration

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk

page 80

LAN Static IP - Subnet Mask Query

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk?

page 81

Password - Disable Password-Protected
Commands

SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable

page 81

Password - Enable Password-Protected
Commands

SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable]

page 83

Password - Query Enable State

SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe?

page 85

Password - Set New Password

SYSTem:PASSword:NEW

page 86SCPI Version Query

SYSTem:VERSion?

page 87

Time Query

SYSTem:TIME?

page 88

Time Zone Query

SYSTem:TZONe?

page 89

Voltage Range

SYSTem:RANge[:MAX]?

page 89

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

Date Query
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Name:

Returns the current date of the DT8824 LXI instrument module. This date is
updated automatically by an SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol) server.
:SYSTem:DATE?
None<year>,<month>,<day>year

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

A number representing the year, such as 2009.

Name:

month

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

A number from 1 to 12 representing the month.

Name:

day

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

A number from 1 to 31 representing the day.

Example> :SYST:DATE?
< 2009,1,15
This response indicates that the date of the DT8824 instrument module isJanuary 15th, 2009.

Description
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Name:

Specifies a description for the instrument module.
:SYSTem:DESCription <device_description><device_description>None
device_description

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

A string with a maximum length of 64 ASCII characters, including theterminating NULL. Strings exceeding this limited are truncated.

Notes

ExampleThis is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
> :SYST:DESC< The DT8824 in the lab
This command sets the description of the DT8824 to "The DT8824 in the
lab".

73

Chapter 4

Description Query
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Data Format
Name:
Description:
ExampleReturns the description of the instrument module.
:SYSTem:DESCription?
None<device_description><CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>
device_description
A string with a maximum length of 64 ASCII characters.
> :SYST:DESC?
< The DT8824 in the lab
In this case, the description of the device is as follows: "The DT8824 in thelab".

Error Query All
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Data Format
Name:
Description:

Name:
Description:

Name:
Description:

74

Queries the error/event queue for all the unread errors and removes themfrom the Error/Event Queue.
:SYSTem:ERRor:ALL?
None<Error/event_number>, <Error/event_description>,<Device-dependent info><CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>
Error/event_number
A unique integer in the range of –32768 to 32767. A value of 0 indicates thatno error or event has occurred. Refer to Appendix A starting on page 143
for a list of errors that can be returned.
Error/event_description
A quoted string that contains a description of the error that was read fromthe Error/Event Queue. Refer to Appendix A starting on page 143 for a listof errors that can be returned.
Device-dependent info
Optional text that provides device-dependent information about the errorthat was read from the Error/Event Queue. Refer to Appendix A startingon page 143 for a list of errors that can be returned.

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Notes

The maximum string length of <Error/event_description> plus
<Device-dependent info> is 255 characters.
The error queue is a first-in, first-out (FIFO) with a capacity of 32 error
messages. By querying the error count before and after a SCPI command(in a single command string), you can unambiguously determine whether
the command that you issued caused an error. Use the
SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt? command, described on page 76, to return thenumber of unread items in the error queue.
When the queue is full, the message "–350,’Queue overflow’" is returnedand subsequent errors can not be added to the queue. Use the *CLS
command, described on page 76, to clear the error queue as well as the
Status Byte register.
Refer to 1999 SCPI Command Reference, section 21.8.4, for more information.

ExampleThe following shows the responses to this query after an invalid commandis sent to the instrument module:>:BADc>:SYST:ERR:ALL?
< -110,"Command header error;:BADc"> :SYST:ERR:ALL?
< 0,"No error"

See Also

SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXt]?, described on page 77
SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt?, described on page 76
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE:ALL?, described on page 75
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE[:NEXT]?, described on page 78

Error Query All Codes
Description
SyntaxParameters

Returns a comma-separated list of only the error/event code numbers in
FIFO order. If the queue is empty, the response is 0.
:SYSTem:ERRor:CODE:ALL?
None

Response Data

<Error/event_number>,<Error/event_number>,....,<Error/event_number>

Data Format<CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>

Name:
Description:

Notes

Error/event_number
A unique integer in the range of –32768 to 32767. A value of 0 indicates thatno error or event has occurred. Refer to Appendix A starting on page 143
for a list of errors that can be returned.
Refer to 1999 SCPI Command Reference, section 21.8.5.1 for more
information.

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Chapter 4
ExampleThe following shows the responses to this query after an invalid commandis sent to the instrument module:>:BADc>:SYST:ERR:CODE:ALL?
< -110,0;

See Also

SYSTem:ERRor:ALL?, described on page 74
SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]?, described on page 77
SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt?, described on page 76
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE[:NEXT]?, described on page 78

ERRor Query Count
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Name:

Queries the Error/Event Queue for the number of unread items and returns
the count.
:SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt?
None<Count>Count

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

A unique integer that indicates the number of unread errors in the error
queue. A value of 0 indicates that the queue is empty.
Since errors may occur at any time, more items may be present in the error
queue at the time that it is actually read.

Notes

The error queue is a first-in, first-out (FIFO) with a capacity of 32 error
messages. The error queue accumulates errors from all clients. By querying
the error count before and after a SCPI command (in a single program
message), you can unambiguously determine whether the command that you
issued caused an error.
When the queue is full, the message "–350,’Queue overflow’" is returned andsubsequent errors can not be added to the queue. Use the
SYSTem:ERRor:ALL? command, described on page 74, to read the error andremove if from the queue. Use the *CLS command, described on page 54, toclear the error queue as well as the Status Byte register.
Refer to 1999 SCPI Command Reference, section 21.8.6 for more information.

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SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
ExampleThe following shows how to query the number of errors in the error queue
and the error count:> :BADc> :SYST:ERR:COUNt?
< 1> :SYST:ERR?
< -110, "Command header error;:BADc"> :SYST:ERR?
< 0, "No error"> :SYST:ERR:COUNt?
< 0

See Also

SYSTem:ERRor:ALL?, described on page 74
SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]?, described on page 77
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE:ALL?, described on page 75
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE[:NEXT]?, described on page 78

Error Query Next
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Data Format
Name:
Description:

Name:
Description:

Name:
Description:

Queries the next error and removes it from the Error/Event Queue.
:SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]?
None<Error/event_number>,<Error/event_description>, <Device-dependent info><CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>
Error/event_number
A unique integer in the range of –32768 to 32767. A value of 0 indicates thatno error or event has occurred. Refer to Appendix A starting on page 143
for a list of errors that can be returned.
Error/event_description
A quoted string that contains a description of the error that was read fromthe Error/Event Queue. Refer to Appendix A starting on page 143 for a listof errors that can be returned.
Device-dependent info
Optional text that provides device-dependent information about the errorthat was read from the Error/Event Queue. Refer to Appendix A startingon page 143 for a list of errors that can be returned.

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Chapter 4
Notes

The maximum string length of <Error/event_description> plus
<Device-dependent info> is 255 characters.
The error queue is a first-in, first-out (FIFO) with a capacity of 32 error
messages. By querying the error count before and after a SCPI command(in a single command string), you can unambiguously determine whether
the command that you issued caused an error. Use the
SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt? command, described on page 76, to return thenumber of unread items in the error queue.
When the queue is full, the message "–350, Queue overflow’" is returnedand subsequent errors can not be added to the queue. Use the *CLS
command, described on page 54, to clear the error queue as well as the
Status Byte register.
Refer to 1999 SCPI Command Reference, section 21.8.5.2, for more
information.

ExampleThe following shows the responses to this query after an invalid commandis sent to the instrument module:>:BADc>:SYST:ERR?
< -110,"Command header error;:BADc"> :SYST:ERR?
< 0,"No error"

See Also

SYSTem:ERRor:ALL?, described on page 74
SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt?, described on page 76
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE:ALL?, described on page 75
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE[:NEXT]?, described on page 78

Error Query Next CodeDescription
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Data Format
Name:
Description:

Notes

78

Queries the next error code and removes it from the Error/Event Queue.
:SYSTem:ERRor:CODE[:NEXT]?
None<Error/event_number><CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>
Error/event_number
A unique integer in the range of –32768 to 32767. A value of 0 indicatesthat no error or event has occurred. Refer to Appendix A starting on page
143 for a list of errors that can be returned.
Refer to 1999 SCPI Command Reference, section 21.8.5.2 for more
information.

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
ExampleThe following shows the responses to this query after an invalid commandis sent to the instrument module:>:BADc>:SYST:ERR:CODE:NEXT?
< -110> :SYST:ERR:CODE:NEXT?
< 0

See Also

SYSTem:ERRor:ALL?, described on page 74
SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]?, described on page 77
SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt?, described on page 76
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE:ALL?, described on page 75

LAN Static IP - IP Address Configuration
Description
SyntaxConfigures the static IP address that is used by the DT8824 instrument
module on the network.
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr <ipaddr>

Required Parameters
Name:

ipaddrData Format:<0+NR1>, <CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Specifies the IP address of the DT8824 instrument module. The address
must be four decimal numbers in the range 0-255, separated by periods,
such as "192.43.218.59".

Response Data
Notes

None
In addition to the static IP address, you must also set the subnet maskusing the SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk command, describedon page 80.
The DT8824 instrument module is configured to use DHCP with Auto-IP,
by default.

ExampleThis command sets the IP address of the DT8824 instrument module to192.43.218.59.
> :SYST:COMM:NET:IP 192.43.218.59

See Also

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr?, described on page 80
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk, described on page 80
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk?, described on page 81

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Chapter 4

LAN Static IP - IP Address Query
Description

SyntaxResponse Data
Name:

Returns the IP address that is currently used by the DT8824 instrument
module on the network, regardless of the method (DHCP, Auto-IP, static IP)
used to acquire the address.
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr?
<ipaddr>
ipaddrData Format:<0+NR1>, <CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

The IP address of the DT8824 instrument module. The address must be fourdecimal numbers in the range 0-255, separated by periods, such as"192.43.218.59".

Notes

The DT8824 instrument module is configured to use the DHCP server, bydefault.

ExampleThis command returns the IP address of the DT8824 instrument module,
which in this example is 192.43.218.15.
> :SYST:COMM:NET:IP?
< 192.43.218.59

See Also

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr, described on page 79
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk, described on page 80
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk?, described on page 81

LAN Static IP - Subnet Mask Configuration
Description
SyntaxConfigures the subnet mask that is used by the DT8824 instrument moduleon the network.
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk <mask>

Required Parameters
Name:

mask

Data Format:<0+NR1>, <CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Specifies the subnet mask of the DT8824 instrument module. The subnet
mask must be four decimal numbers in the range 0 to 255, separated byperiods, such as "255.255.255.0".

Response Data

None

Notes

In addition to the subnet mask, you must also set the static IP address using
the SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IP command, described on page 79.

ExampleThis command sets the subnet mask of the DT8824 instrument module to255.255.255.0:> :SYST:COMM:NET:MASk 255.255.255.0

80

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
See Also

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IP, described on page 79
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IP?, described on page 80
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk?, described on page 81

LAN Static IP - Subnet Mask Query
Description

SyntaxResponse Data
Name:

Returns the subnet mask that is currently used by the DT8824 instrument
module on the network, regardless of the method (DHCP, Auto-IP, staticIP) used to acquire the address.
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk?
<mask>
mask

Data Format:<0+NR1>, <CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

The subnet mask of the DT8824 instrument module. The subnet mask mustbe four decimal numbers in the range 0-255, separated by periods, such as"255.255.255.0".

ExampleThis command returns the subnet mask of the DT8824 instrument module,
which in this example is 255.255.255.0:> :SYST:COMM:NET:MAS?
< 255.255.255.0

See Also

SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IP, described on page 79
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IP?, described on page 80
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk, described on page 80
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk?, described on page 81

Password - Disable Password-Protected Commands
Description

Disables use of the following commands, which are password
protected:• AD:BUFFer:MODE, described on page 93• AD:ENABle, described on page 96• AD:GAIN[:CONFigure], described on page 99• [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce, described on page 97• AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure], described on page 101• AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105• AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE, described on page 109• AD:ARM, described on page 92

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Chapter 4
Description (cont.)• AD:INITiate, described on page 114• AD:ABORt, described on page 91• DOUTput, described on page 130• DOUTput:AND, described on page 128• DOUTput:OR, described on page 129• EVENt:DOMain, described on page 121• EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe, described on page 122• EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle], described on page 125• WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle, described on page 117• SYSTem:DESCription, described on page 73• *RST, described on page 59• *CLS, described on page 54

Syntax:SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable <password>

ParametersName:password

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Specifies the password that is stored in permanent memory on the
instrument. This string is case-sensitive.

Response Data
Notes

None
On power up, all SCPI password-protected commands are disabled.
If the instrument is powered down, you must enable thepassword-protected commands when the instrument is poweredback up if you want to configure or operate the instrument.
Once the password-protected commands are disabled, issuing any ofthe password-protected commands will result in error –203,
Command protected.
By default, the password is admin. You can change the password
using the SYSTem:PASSword:NEW command, described on page86.
You can re-enable password-protected commands using the
SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on page 83.

82

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
ExampleThe following example shows an attempt to disable protectedcommands using an erroneous password:> :SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable bogus> :SYST:ERR?
< -221,"Settings conflict;:SYST:PASS:CDIS"
The following is an example in which the correct password is used todisable protected commands:> :SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable admin> :SYST:ERR?
< 0,"No error"> :SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe?
< 0
Since protected commands are disabled, any attempt to use them will
fail, as shown in the following example:> :AD:GAIN 1, (@1,2)> :SYST:ERR?
< -203,"Command protected;AD:GAIN"> :AD:INIT> :SYST:ERR?
> -203,"Command protected;AD:INIT"

See Also

SYSTem:PASSword:NEW, described on page 86
SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable], described on page 83
SYSTem:PASSword:CENAble:STATe?, described on page 85

Password - Enable Password-Protected Commands
Description

Enables use of the following commands, which are password
protected:• AD:BUFFer:MODE, described on page 93• AD:ENABle, described on page 96• AD:GAIN[:CONFigure], described on page 99• [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce, described on page 97• AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure], described on page 101• AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105• AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE, described on page 109• AD:ARM, described on page 92• AD:INITiate, described on page 114• AD:ABORt, described on page 91• DOUTput, described on page 130• DOUTput:AND, described on page 128

83

Chapter 4
Description (cont.)• DOUTput:OR, described on page 129• EVENt:DOMain, described on page 121• EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe, described on page 122• EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle], described on page 125• WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle, described on page 117• SYSTem:DESCription, described on page 73• *RST, described on page 59• *CLS, described on page 54

Syntax:SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] <password>

ParametersName:password

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Specifies the password that is stored in permanent memory in the
instrument. This string is case-sensitive.

Response Data
Notes

None
On power up, the SCPI password-protected commands are disabled.
If the instrument is powered down, you must enable thepassword-protected commands when the instrument is poweredback up if you want to configure or operate the instrument.
Once the password-protected commands are disabled, issuing any ofthe password-protected commands will result in error –203,
Command protected.
By default, the password is admin. You can change the password
using the SYSTem:PASSword:NEW command, described on page
86.

ExampleIn the following example, the command to enable
password-protected commands is successful; therefore, the client canconfigure the instrument and operate it.:
> :SYST:PASS:CEN admin> :SYST:ERR?
< 0,"No error"> :SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe?
< 1

See Also

SYSTem:PASSword:NEW, described on page 86
SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable, described on page 81
SYSTem:PASSword:CENAble:STATe?, described on page 85

84

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

Password - Query Password Enable State
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Name:

Returns whether password-protected commands are enabled or
disabled.
:SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe?
None<state>state

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

If password-protected commands are disabled, 0 is returned.
If password-protected commands are enabled, 1 is returned.

Notes

On power up, the SCPI password-protected commands and queries
are disabled. If the instrument is powered down, you must enable thepassword-protected commands when the instrument is poweredback up if you want to configure or operate the instrument.
You can disable password-protected commands using the
SYSTem:PASSword:DISable command, described on page 81.
You can enable password-protected commands using the
SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on page 83.
When the SCPI password-protected commands and queries are
disabled, the instrument generates the following error if any of thesecommands is issued: –203, Command protected.
This error indicates that a legal password-protected command or
query could not be executed because the command was disabled.

ExampleIn the following example, the state is 1, indicating thatpassword-protected commands are enabled.
> :SYST:PASS:CEN:STAT?
< 1

See Also

SYSTem:PASSword:NEW, described on page 86
SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable, described on page 81
SYSTem:PASSword[:CENAble], described on page 83

85

Chapter 4

Password - Set New Password
Description

Changes the existing password to a new password. The new
password overwrites the existing password if, and only if, theuser-specified <current password> matches the password that iscurrently being used.
The password is used with the following password-protectedcommands:• AD:BUFFer:MODE, described on page 93• AD:ENABle, described on page 96• AD:GAIN[:CONFigure], described on page 99• [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce, described on page 97• AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure], described on page 101• AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105• AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE, described on page 109• AD:ARM, described on page 92• AD:INITiate, described on page 114• AD:ABORt, described on page 91• DOUTput, described on page 130• DOUTput:AND, described on page 128• DOUTput:OR, described on page 129• EVENt:DOMain, described on page 121• EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe, described on page 122• EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle], described on page 125• WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle, described on page 117• SYSTem:DESCription, described on page 73• *RST, described on page 59• *CLS, described on page 54

Syntax:SYSTem:PASSword:NEW <current password>,<new password>

ParametersName:current password

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Specifies the current password that is stored in permanent memory in
the instrument. This string is case-sensitive is transmitted in clear text
format.
The default password is admin for the DT8824 and DT8824-HV
instrument modules.

86

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Name:

new password

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Specifies the new password that will overwrite the current password
and be saved in permanent memory in the instrument. This string iscase-sensitive and is transmitted in clear text format.

Response Data
Notes

None
The new password becomes effective immediately. The instrument
does not need to be rebooted. The new password is reflected in the
LAN configuration web page for the instrument (see the user’s
manual for your instrument for more information on this web page).
The new password is enforced when any attempt is made toconfigure the instrument using SCPI commands, the instrument’s
web pages, or the IVI-COM driver.
Since the <current password> and <new password> are strings that aretransmitted in clear text format, they can be determined easily bysnooping LAN traffic.

ExampleThe following example shows an attempt to change the password
using a wrong password:> :SYST:PASS:NEW bogus, admin1> :SYST:ERR?
< -221,"Settings conflict;:SYST:PASS:NEW"In the following example, the existing password admin is successfullychanged to admin1:> :SYST:PASS:NEW admin, admin1> :SYST:ERR?
< 0,"No error"

See Also

SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable], described on page 83
SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable, described on page 81
SYSTem:PASSword:CENAble:STATe?, described on page 85

SCPI Version Query
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Data Format

This command, which is mandatory for SCPI-compliant devices, returns the
SCPI version number to which the DT8824 instrument module complies.
:SYSTem:VERSion?
None<YYYY>.<V><CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>

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Chapter 4
Name:

YYYY

Data Format:<NR2>

Description:

The year of the version, such as 2009.

Name:

V

Data Format:<NR2>

Description:

The approved SCPI revision number for that year, such as 0.

Notes
ExampleRefer to 1999 SCPI Command Reference, section 21.21 for more information.
> :SYST:VERS?
< 1999.0
In this example, the version is year 1999 and the SCPI revision is 0.

Time Query
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data
Name:

Returns the current time used by the DT8824 LXI instrument module. This
time is updated automatically by an SNTP server.
:SYSTem:TIME?
None<hour>,<minute>,<second>hour

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

A number from 0 to 23 representing the current hour of the instrument
module.

Name:minuteData Format:<NR1>

Description:

A number from 0 to 59 representing the current minute of the instrument
module.

Name:secondData Format:<NR1>

Description:

A number from 0 to 59 representing the current second of the instrument
module.

Example> :SYST:TIME?
< 15,31,45
This response indicates that the current time of the DT8824 instrument
module is 3:31:45 pm (15 is the hour, 31 is the number of minutes, and 45 is
the number of seconds).

88

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

Time Zone Query
Description
SyntaxRequired Parameters

Returns the time zone that is currently used by the instrument module, as
an offset from GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
:SYSTem:TZONe?
None

Response Data
Name:

hour

Data Format:<NR1>

Description:

A number from –12 to +12 representing the current hour relative to GMT.

Name:

minuteData Format:<NR1>

Description:

A number from –59 to +59 representing the current minute relative to GMT.
Minutes are rounded up to 30.

Example> :SYST:TZON< +5,-45
This response indicates that the current time zone of the instrument
module is four hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT. Minutes are rounded
up to 30.

Voltage Range Query
Description
SyntaxRequired Parameters

Returns the maximum full-scale voltage range that is supported by the
instrument module.
:SYSTem:RANge[:MAX]?
None

Response Data
Name:

{BIP10V|BIP600V}

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

The maximum voltage range that is supported by the instrument module:• BIP10V – Specifies an input voltage range of ±10 V.
• BIP600V – Specifies an input voltage range of ±600 V.

Example> :SYST:RANGE?
< BIP600
This response indicates that the maximum full-scale voltage range that is
supported by the instrument module is ±600 V. Therefore, this is a
DT8824-HV instrument module.

89Chapter 4

AD Subsystem Commands
The AD subsystem is used to configure perform analog input operations on a DT8824 LXI
instrument module. Table 8 lists the AD subsystem commands. This section describes each ofthese commands in detail.

Table 8: AD Subsystem Commands
Type

90

Mnemonic

See

Abort Analog Input Operation

AD:ABORt

page 91

Arm Analog Input Operation

AD:ARM

page 92

ADC Synchronization Source Query

AD:SYNc:SOURce?

page 93

Analog Input Buffer Mode Configuration

AD:BUFFer:MODE

page 93

Analog Input Buffer Mode Query

AD:BUFFer:MODE?

page 94

Analog Input Buffer Size Query

AD:BUFFer:SIZe[:SCAns]?

page 95

Analog Input Channel Enable

AD:ENABle

page 96

Analog Input Channel Enable Query

AD:ENABle?

page 97

Analog Input Clock Source Configuration[AD:]CLOCk:SOURce

page 97

Analog Input Clock Source Query[AD:]CLOCk:SOURce?

page 99

Analog Input Gain Configuration

AD:GAIN[:CONFigure]page 99

Analog Input Gain Query

AD:GAIN[:CONFigure]?

page 100

Analog Input Sampling Frequency Configuration

AD:CLOCk:FREQuency [:CONFigure]page 101

Analog Input Sampling Frequency Query

AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]?

page 103

Analog Input Scan Status Query

AD:STATus:SCAn?

page 103

Analog Input Status Bits Query

AD:STATus?

page 104

Analog Input Trigger Source Configuration

AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]

page 105

Analog Input Trigger Source Query

AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]?

page 107

Analog Input Trigger Edge Configuration

AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE

page 109

Analog Input Trigger Edge Query

AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE?

page 109

Fetch Analog Input Data

AD:FETCh?

page 111

Initiate Analog Input Operation

AD:INITiate

page 114SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

Abort Analog Input Operation
Description
SyntaxStops the specified analog input operation on the DT8824 LXI instrument
module, if it is in progress.
:AD:ABORt

Optional Keywords
Name:

AD

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Enumerated type that specifies whether to stop the operation on the analog
input (AD) subsystem.

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
Use the AD:STATus? command, described on page 104, to determine thestate of the analog input subsystem.

ExampleThe following example configures a DT8824 LXI instrument module toupdate the analog input channel at 4800 Hz when a software trigger isdetected, and queries the A/D status bits:> :AD:ENAB ON> :AD:CLOC:SOURCE INT> :AD:CLOC:FREQ MAX> :AD:TRIG IMM> :AD:STAT?
< 0
The analog input operation is then armed and triggered, and the A/Dstatus bits are queried to determine the status of the operation:> :AD:ARM> :AD:INIT> :AD:STAT?
< 7
The analog input operation is then stopped and the A/D status bits are
queried to determine the status of the operation:> :AD:ABOR> :AD:STAT?
< 4

See Also

AD:ARM, described on page 92
AD:INITiate, described on page 114
AD:STATus?, described on page 10491

Chapter 4

Arm Analog Input Operation
Description
SyntaxArms the analog input subsystem, which writes all the configuration
settings to the instrument module.
:AD:ARM

Optional Keywords
Name:

AD

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Enumerated type that specifies whether to arm the analog input (AD)subsystem.

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
Ensure that you configure the clock (as described on page 40) and thetrigger (as described on page 42) before you arm the subsystem.
If you specified the trigger source for the analog input subsystem as
IMMediate, you must call the AD:INITiate command after arming theoperation to start the operation.
Use the AD:STATus? command, described on page 104, to determine thestate of the analog input subsystem.

ExampleThe following example configures a DT8824 LXI instrument module tosample analog input channels 1 to 3 at 4800Hz when a software trigger isdetected, and queries the A/D status bits to determine the status of theoperation:> :AD:ENAB ON (@1:3)> :AD:CLOC:SOUR INT> :AD:CLOC:FREQ MAX> :AD:TRIG IMM> :AD:STAT?
< 0
The following example arms the analog input subsystem, and queries theA/D status bits to determine the status of the operation:> :AD:ARM> :AD:STAT?
< 2
A value of 2 indicates that the A/D subsystem was armed.

92

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Example (cont.)

The analog input operation is then started, and the the A/D status bits are
queried to determine the status of the operation:> :AD:INIT> :AD:STAT?
< 7
A value of 7 indicates that the A/D subsystem is armed, triggered, andactive.

See Also

AD:INITiate, described on page 114
STATus:OPERation:CONDition?, described on page 67

ADC Synchronization Source Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the source of the ADC synchronization pulse.
:AD:SYNc:SOURce?

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:

{INTernal|LXI6}
INTernal|LXI6

Data Format:<CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>

Description:

The source that is currently configured as the ADC synchronization pulse,
where INTernal is the internal sync signal on the DT8824 instrument
module and LXI6 is the synchronization signal from the Trigger Bus.

ExampleThe following example returns the currently configured sync source; in thisexample, the internal sync source is used:>:AD:SYN:SOUR?
< INTernal

See Also

AD:CLOCk:SOURce, described on page 97

Analog Input Buffer Mode Configuration
Description
SyntaxConfigures the wrap mode of the input buffer.
:AD:BUFFer:MODE {WRAp|NOWRAp|DEFault}

Required Parameters
Name:

WRAp|NOWRAp|DEFault

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Specifies the wrap mode for the specified buffer. The available choices are as
follows:

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Chapter 4
Description (cont.):• WRAp mode – After the scan data has been stored in the buffer, the latest
scan overwrites the oldest one in the input buffer.
Acquisition continues until it is explicitly stopped with AD:ABORt,
described on page 91.
• NOWRAp mode – After the scan data has been stored in the input buffer,acquisition stops automatically.
• DEFault – The default setting is WRAp mode.

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

Refer to 1999 SCPI Command Reference, section 23.6.1, for more information.
This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.

Possible Errors-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the analog
input operation before reconfiguring the analog input subsystem.

ExampleThe following example configures the input buffer for continuous wrap
mode (WRAp):>:AD:BUFF:MODE WRA

See Also

AD:BUFFer:MODE?, described on page 93

Analog Input Buffer Mode Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the currently configured wrap mode for the input buffer.
:AD:BUFFer:MODE?

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

{WRAp|NOWRAp}

Name:

WRAp|NOWRAp

Data Format:<CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>

Description:

The currently configured wrap mode. Possible values are as follows:• WRAp – After the scan data has been stored in the buffer, the latest scanoverwrites the oldest one in the input buffer and acquisition continues
until it is explicitly stopped with AD:ABORt, described on page 91. If
DEFault was configured, WRAp is returned.
• NOWRAp – After the scan data has been stored in the input buffer,acquisition stops automatically.

Notes

94

Refer to 1999 SCPI Command Reference, section 23.6.1, for more information.

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
ExampleThe following example returns the currently configured wrap mode of the
input buffer; in this case, continuous wrap mode (WRAp) is used:>:AD:BUFF:MODE?
< WRApSee Also

AD:BUFFer:MODE, described on page 93

Analog Input Buffer Size Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the maximum number of scans that can be stored in the input buffer
based on the number of enabled input channels and the input sampling rate.
:AD:BUFFer:SIZe[:SCAns]?

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:

<Number of scans>
Number of scans

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

Indicates the maximum number of scans that can be stored in the input
buffer based on the number of input channels and the input sampling rate.

Notes

If the buffer wrap mode is NOWRAp, acquisition stops automatically after
this number of scans is acquired.
If the buffer wrap mode is WRAp, after this number of scans is acquired, theoldest scan data is overwritten with the latest scan data as the buffer wraps.
The sampling rate determines DMA block size that is used for the scan data,
where each block has a fixed number of header bytes that is not used tostore scans. The DMA block size is smaller for the minimum sampling
frequency, resulting in more space for the headers, and greater for the
maximum sampling frequency.
Since the maximum input buffer size is approximately 8 MB and eachsample is 4 bytes, you can store a maximum of approximately 2 Msamples
in the input buffer. If you sample each input channel at the maximum input
frequency (4800 Hz), the input buffer will fill in approximately 106 seconds(4800 samples/s per channel).
The maximum size of data transfer over Ethernet using the AD:FETCh?
command is 32 kB. Since each sample is 4 bytes, the maximum number ofsamples per AD:FETCh? is 8 ksamples. Therefore, if you are using
continuous wrap mode, ensure that you call AD:FETCh? in a tight loop to
ensure that you retrieve all the samples in the input buffer before the buffer
is overwritten.

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Chapter 4
ExampleThe following example returns the number of scans that can be stored in the
input buffer under various conditions:> :AD:ENAB ON,(@1);:AD:BUFF:SIZe?
< 3139584> :AD:ENAB ON,(@2);:AD:BUFF:SIZe?
< 1571328> :AD:ENAB OFF;:AD:BUFF:SIZe< 0> :AD:ENAB ON;:AD:BUFF:SIZe?
< 785280> :AD:CLOCK:FREQ MIN;:AD:BUFF:SIZe?
< 393216> :AD:CLOCK:FREQ MAX;:AD:BUFF:SIZe?
< 785280

See Also

AD:BUFFer:MODE, described on page 93

Analog Input Channel Enable
Description
Syntax

Enables or disables sampling on the specified analog input channels.
:AD:ENABle <state> [,<source list>]

Required Parameters
Name:

state

Data Format:<Boolean>Description:

Specifies whether to enable or disable sampling on the specified analog
input channels.
To enable sampling, set this value to ON or 1. To disable sampling, set thisvalue to OFF or 0.

Optional ParametersName:source list

Data Format:<channel_list>

Description:

Specifies the list of analog input channels to enable or disable. Analog input
channel numbers range from 1 to 4. If source list is omitted, all analog input
channels are configured, by default.

Response Data
Notes

Possible Errors

NoneThis is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the analog
input operation before reconfiguring the analog input subsystem.

96

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
ExampleThe following example enables sampling on analog input channels 1 and 2
and disables sampling on analog input channels 3 and 4:>:AD:ENAB ON,(@1,2)>:AD:ENAB 0,(@3,4)

See Also

AD:ENABle?, described on page 97

Analog Input Channel Enable Query
Description
SyntaxRequired Parameters

Returns whether sampling is enabled or disabled for the specified analog
input channels.
:AD:ENABle? [<source list>]
None

Optional ParametersName:source list

Data Format:<channel_list>

Description:

Specifies the list of analog input channels for which to return theenabled/disabled state. Analog input channel numbers range from 1 to 4. If
source list is omitted, the configuration of all analog input channels isreturned, by default.

Response DataName:<state>state

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

Contains the current state for each specified channel, separated by commas,
where 1 indicates that sampling is enabled and 0 indicates that sampling is
disabled.

ExampleThe following example returns whether sampling is enabled or disabled for
all analog input channels on the DT8824 instrument module; in thisexample, analog input channels 1 and 2 are enabled and analog input
channels 3 and 4 are disabled.
>:AD:ENAB?
< 1,1,0,0;

See Also

AD:ENABle, described on page 96

Analog Input Clock Source Configuration
Description
SyntaxSpecifies the source of the reference clock used for the ADC and DAC masterclock generators on the DT8824 instrument module.
:AD:CLOCk:SOURce {INTernal|LXI7}

97

Chapter 4
Optional Keywords
Name:

AD

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Optional enumerated type that specifies the analog input (AD) subsystem
for which to configure the clock source.

Required Parameters
Name:

INTernal|LXI7

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Enumerated type that specifies the reference clock source to use, where
INTernal is the internal reference clock on the DT8824 instrument moduleand LXI7 is line 7 of the Trigger Bus.

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

The specified reference clock source is used for pacing analog input
operations.
If the instrument module is the clock master, specify the reference clock
source as INTernal.
If the instrument module is a slave and you want to synchronize the clockwith the master using the Trigger Bus, specify the reference clock source as
LXI7.
This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.

Possible Errors-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the analog
input operation before reconfiguring the analog input subsystem.

ExampleThe following example specifies the clock source on the DT8824 instrument
module as the internal reference clock, which automatically configures thesync source as internal:>:CLOC:SOUR INT

See Also

AD:CLOCk:SOURce?, described on page 99
AD:SYNc:SOURce?, described on page 93
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure], described on page 101
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]?, described on page 103
WTB:LXI<n>[OUTput]:ENABle, described on page 117

98

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

Analog Input Clock Source Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the currently configured reference clock source used for the ADC
and DAC master clock generators on the DT8824 instrument module.
:[AD:]CLOCk:SOURce?

Optional Keywords
Name:
Data Format:

AD<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>
Optional enumerated type that specifies the analog input (AD) subsystem
for which to return the clock source.

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:

<INTernal|LXI7>
INTernal|LXI7

Data Format:<CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>

Description:

Enumerated type that represents the reference clock source that is currently
configured, where INTernal is the internal reference clock on the DT8824 and
LXI7 is the external reference clock from the Trigger Bus.

ExampleThe following example returns the currently configured reference clock
source on the DT8824 instrument module; in this case, the internal reference
clock is configured:>:CLOC:SOUR?
< INTernal

See Also

AD:CLOCk:SOURce?, described on page 97
AD:SYNc:SOURce?, described on page 93
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure], described on page 101
WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle, described on page 117

Analog Input Gain Configuration
Description
SyntaxConfigures the gain setting for the specified analog input channels.
:AD:GAIN[:CONFigure] <numeric value> [,<source list>]

Required Parameters
Name:numeric value

Data Format:<+NR1>

Description:

Specifies a gain value of 1, 8, 16, or 32.

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Chapter 4
Optional ParametersName:source list

Data Format:<channel_list>

Description:

Specifies the list of analog input channels to which to apply the gain value.
Analog input channel numbers range from 1 to 4. If source list is omitted, thegain value is applied to all analog input channels, by default.

Response Data
Notes

None
The DT8824 provides an input range of ±10 V and software-selectable gainsof 1, 8, 16, and 32. This provides effective input ranges of ±10 V when thegain is 1, ±1.25 V when the gain is 8, ±0.625 V when the gain is 16, and±0.3125 V when the gain is 32.
The DT8824-HV supports a bipolar range of ±600 V and software-selectable
gains of 1, 8, 16, and 32. This provides effective input ranges of ±600 V when
the gain is 1, ±75 V when the gain is 8, ±37.5 V when the gain is 16, and±18.75 V when the gain is 32.
You can determine the maximum full-scale voltage range of the instrument
by using the SYSTem:RANge[:MAX]? query.
This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.

Possible Errors-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the analog
input operation before reconfiguring the analog input subsystem.

ExampleThe following example configures analog input channels 1 and 2 for a gainof 1 and analog input channels 3 and 4 for a gain of 16::AD:GAIN 1, (@1,2):AD:GAIN 16, (@3,4)

See Also

AD:GAIN[:CONFigure]?, described on page 100

Analog Input Gain Query
Description
SyntaxRequired Parameters

100

Returns the currently configured gain value for the specified analog input
channels.
:AD:GAIN[:CONFigure]? [<source list>]
None

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Optional ParametersName:source list

Data Format:<channel_list>

Description:

Specifies the list of analog input channels for which to return the gain
configuration. Analog input channel numbers range from 1 to 4. If source list
is omitted, the gain configuration is returned for all analog input channels,
by default.

Response Data
Name:<gain>
gain

Data Format:<+NR1>

Description:

Contains the gain value (1, 8, 16, or 32) for each specified channel, separated
by commas.

Notes

The DT8824 provides an input range of ±10 V and software-selectable gainsof 1, 8, 16, and 32. This provides effective input ranges of ±10 V when thegain is 1, ±1.25 V when the gain is 8, ±0.625 V when the gain is 16, and±0.3125 V when the gain is 32.
The DT8824-HV supports a bipolar range of ±600 V and software-selectable
gains of 1, 8, 16, and 32. This provides effective input ranges of ±600 V when
the gain is 1, ±75 V when the gain is 8, ±37.5 V when the gain is 16, and±18.75 V when the gain is 32.
You can determine the maximum full-scale voltage range of the instrument
by using the SYSTem:RANge[:MAX]? query.

ExampleThe following example returns the gain configuration for all analog input
channels on the DT8824 instrument module; in this case, channel 1 and 2 areconfigured for a gain of 1, and channels 3 and 4 are configured for a gain of
16:>:AD:GAIN?
< 1,1,16,16

See Also

AD:GAIN[:CONFigure], described on page 99

Analog Input Sampling Frequency Configuration
Description
SyntaxSpecifies the sampling frequency for pacing analog input operations on the
DT8824 instrument module.
:AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure] <freq|MINimum|MAXimum>101Chapter 4
Required ParametersName:

freq|MINimum|MAXimum

Data Format:<+NRf>

Description:

Specifies the sampling frequency, in Hz, where freq represents a particularsampling frequency, MINimum represents the minimum sampling
frequency, and MAXimum represents the maximum sampling frequency forthe specified analog input subsystem.
For analog input operations, the minimum sampling frequency is 1.175 Hz
and the maximum sampling frequency is 4800 Hz (the default value).

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
If you are synchronizing the clocks of multiple instrument modules, it isimportant that you enable LXI7 as an output on the clock master and thenconfigure the clock frequency of the slaves before configuring the clock
frequency of the clock master.
It is also recommended that you choose the same sampling frequency for all
instrument modules to avoid problems.
If you later change the sampling frequency of one or more slave instrument
modules, you must reconfigure the clock frequency of the clock master, even
if its parameters have not changed.
Because of the way data is transferred from the FIFO on the DT8824, you
may experience a long delay before the acquired data is available if you
specify a slow sampling frequency. For example, if you want to acquire datafrom one channel at a sampling frequency of 1.175 Hz, you have to wait 13.6s (to acquire 16 samples in the input FIFO) before you can access the data.
The delay is minimized at faster sampling frequencies.
Refer to page 40 for more information on setting up the clocks.

Possible Errors-131 "Invalid suffix"
If you receive this error, ensure that the sampling frequency is entered in<+NRf> format.
-222 "Data out of range"
If you receive this error, the sampling frequency that was entered wasoutside the valid range. Enter a valid sampling frequency.
-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the analog
input operation before reconfiguring the analog input subsystem.

102

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
ExampleThe following example configures the maximum sampling frequency(4800 Hz) for the analog input subsystem on a DT8824:>:AD:CLOC:FREQ MAX>:AD:CLOC:FREQ?
< 4800>:SYST:ERR?
< 0,"No error"

See Also

AD:CLOCk:SOURce, described on page 97
AD:CLOCk:SOURce?, described on page 99
AD:SYNc:SOURce?, described on page 93
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]?, described on page 103
WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle, described on page 117

Analog Input Sampling Frequency Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the sampling frequency that is currently configured for pacing
analog input operations on the DT8824 instrument module.
:AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]?

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:<sampling frequency>
sampling frequency

Data Format:<+NRf>

Description:

The currently configured sampling frequency, in Hz, for the specified analog
input subsystem.

ExampleThe following example returns the currently configured sampling
frequency, in Hz, for the analog input subsystem; in this case, the sampling
frequency is 4800 Hz:>:AD:CLOC:FREQ?
< 4800See Also

AD:CLOCk:SOURce, described on page 97
AD:CLOCk:SOURce?, described on page 99
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure], described on page 101

Analog Input Scan Status Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the indices of the chronologically oldest and most recent scan
records in the input buffer on the instrument module.
:AD:STATus:SCAn?

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Chapter 4
Parameters
Response Data
Name:

None
<StartingIndex>,<EndingIndex>
StartingIndex

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

A decimal number that represents the index of the chronologically oldest
scan record available in the circular buffer on the instrument module.

Name:

EndingIndex

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

A decimal number that represents the index of the most recent scan record
available in the circular buffer on the instrument module.

Notes

If the input buffer is empty (because a scan has not been started or started
and stopped), both StartingIndex and EndingIndex will be 0. Otherwise,
these values will be non-zero.

ExampleThe follow example shows the StartingIndex (1001) and EndingIndex (1050)
when the input buffer consists of scan records 1001 to 1050:> :AD:STAT:SCA?
< 1001,1050

See Also

AD:FETCh?, described on page 111

Analog Input Status Bits Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the status bits for the analog input subsystem.
:AD:STATus?

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

<status bits>

Name:status bits

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The value, in the range of 0 to 255, of the status bits for the analog input
subsystem. The status bits are defined as follows:• Bit 0 – The value of this bit is 1 if the analog input subsystem is active or 0
if the analog input subsystem is inactive.
• Bit 1 – The value of this bit is 1 if the analog input subsystem is armed or
0 if the analog input subsystem is not armed.
• Bit 2 – The value of this bit is 1 if the analog input subsystem is triggered
or 0 if the analog input subsystem is not triggered.

104

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Description (cont):• Bit 3 – The value of this bit is 1 if AD SYNC was detected or 0 if AD
SYNC was not detected.
• Bit 4 – The value of this bit is 1 if the AD FIFO overflowed or 0 if the AD
FIFO did not overflow.

Notes
ExampleRefer to IEEE 488.2-1992, section 9.1, for more information.
The following example returns the status bits for the analog input
subsystem:>:AD:STAT?
< 4;
In this example, the status bit value is 4, indicating that the analog input
subsystem was triggered.

Analog Input Trigger Source Configuration
Description

Specifies the trigger source that starts the analog input operation on the
DT8824 instrument module.

Syntax:AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]{IMMediate|EXTernal|LXI0|LXI1|LXI2|LXI3|LXI4|LXI5|
LAN0|LAN1|LAN2|LAN3|LAN4|LAN5|LAN6|LAN7|DEFault}

Required Parameters
Name:

IMMediate|EXTernal|LXI0|LXI1|LXI2|LXI3|LXI4|LXI5|LAN0|LAN1|
LAN2|LAN3|LAN4|LAN5|LAN6|LAN7|DEFault<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Data Format:
Description:

Enumerated type that specifies the trigger source to use. The following
trigger sources are supported:• IMMediate – A software trigger. Once you arm the subsystem with the
AD:ARM command, the software trigger event occurs when the
AD:INITiate command is executed (the computer issues a write to the
instrument module to begin conversions).
• EXTernal– An external digital (TTL) trigger event. Once you arm thesubsystem with the AD:ARM command, this trigger event occurs when
the instrument module detects a rising-edge transition on the Trigger In
signal connected to the instrument module.
• LXI0 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 0 of the Trigger Bus.
• LXI1 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 1 of the Trigger Bus.

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Chapter 4
Description (cont.):• LXI2 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 2 of the Trigger Bus.
• LXI3 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 3 of the Trigger Bus.
• LXI4 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 4 of the Trigger Bus.
• LXI5 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 5 of the Trigger Bus.
• LAN0 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 0.
• LAN1 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 1.
• LAN2 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 2.
• LAN3 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 3.
• LAN4 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 4.
• LAN5 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 5.
• LAN6 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 6.
• LAN7 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 7.
• DEFault – The default setting, which is IMMediate.

106

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
The order in which to set up the Trigger Bus is important; refer to page 45
for more information about using the Trigger Bus to connect and trigger
multiple instrument modules.
Configure the LXI-defined LAN event using the commands and queries
under the EVENt subsystem, described on page 120. Refer to page 43 formore information about using LXI LAN events to trigger multiple
instrument modules over the network.

Possible Errors-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the analog
input operation before reconfiguring the analog input subsystem.

ExampleThe following example configures a rising-edge external trigger source tostart an analog input operation on the DT8824 instrument module:>:AD:TRIG EXT>:AD:TRIG:EXT:EDGE POS>:AD:ARM

See Also

AD:ARM, described on page 92
AD:INITiate, described on page 114
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]?, described on page 107
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure], described on page 101
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]?, described on page 103

Analog Input Trigger Source Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the trigger source that is currently configured for starting analog
input operations on the DT8824 instrument module.
:AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]?

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

{IMMediate|EXTernal|LXI0|LXI1|LXI2|LXI3|LXI4|LXI5|LAN0|
LAN1|LAN2|LAN3|LAN4|LAN5|LAN6|LAN7}

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Chapter 4
Name:

IMMediate|EXTernal|LXI0|LXI1|LXI2|LXI3|LXI4|LXI5|LAN0|
LAN1|LAN2|LAN3|LAN4|LAN5|LAN6|LAN7

Data Format:<CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>

Description:

Enumerated type that specifies the trigger source to use. The following
trigger sources are supported:• IMMediate – A software trigger. Once you arm the subsystem with the
AD:ARM command, the software trigger event occurs when the
AD:INITiate command is executed (the computer issues a write to the
instrument module to begin conversions).
• EXTernal – An external digital (TTL) trigger event. Once you arm thesubsystem with the AD:ARM command, this trigger event occurs when
the instrument module detects a rising-edge transition on the Trigger In
signal connected to the instrument module.
• LXI0 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 0 of the Trigger Bus.
• LXI1 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 1 of the Trigger Bus.
• LXI2 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 2 of the Trigger Bus.
• LXI3 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 3 of the Trigger Bus.
• LXI4 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 4 of the Trigger Bus.
• LXI5 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when a slave DT8824 instrument module detects a
trigger input signal on line 5 of the Trigger Bus.
• LAN0 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 0.
• LAN1 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 1.
• LAN2 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 2.

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SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Description (cont.):• LAN3 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 3.
• LAN4 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 4.
• LAN5 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 5.
• LAN6 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 6.
• LAN7 – Once you arm the subsystem with the AD:ARM command, thistrigger event occurs when the DT8824 instrument module detects
LXI-defined LAN event 7.

ExampleThe following example returns the currently configured trigger source foranalog input operations; in this example, the external digital trigger is used:>:AD:TRIG?
< EXTernal

See Also

AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105
AD:ARM, described on page 92
AD:INITiate, described on page 114
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure], described on page 101
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]?, described on page 103

Analog Input Trigger Edge Configuration
Description

SyntaxWhen an EXTernal trigger is selected, specifies the edge of the external
trigger that starts the analog input operation on the DT8824 instrument
module.
:AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE {NEGative|POSitive}

Required Parameters
Name:

NEGative|POSitive

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Enumerated type that specifies the edge to use on the external trigger line.
The following trigger edges are supported:• NEGative – The analog input operation starts when the DT8824 detect afalling edge on the external trigger input line.
• POSitive – The analog input operation starts when the DT8824 detect arising edge on the external trigger input line.

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Chapter 4
Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
Use the AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105, to select an
EXTernal trigger input.

Possible Errors-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the analog
input operation before reconfiguring the analog input subsystem.

ExampleThe following example configures a falling-edge external trigger source tostart an analog input operation on the DT8824 instrument module:>:AD:TRIG EXT>:AD:TRIG:EXT:EDGE NEG>:AD:ARM

See Also

AD:ARM, described on page 92
AD:INITiate, described on page 114
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]?, described on page 107
AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE?, described on page 110

Analog Input Trigger Edge Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the edge of the external trigger that is currently configured forstarting analog input operations on the DT8824 instrument module.
:AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE?

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data
Name:

{NEGative|POSitive}
NEGative|POSitive

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Enumerated type that specifies the edge to use on the external trigger line.
The following trigger edges are supported:• NEGative – The analog input operation starts when the DT8824 detect afalling edge on the external trigger input line.
• POSitive – The analog input operation starts when the DT8824 detect arising edge on the external trigger input line.

110

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
ExampleThe following example returns the currently configured edge for theexternal trigger; in this example, a rising edge is configured:>:AD:TRIG:EXT:EDGE?
< POSitive

See Also

AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]?, described on page 107
AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE, described on page 109
AD:ARM, described on page 92

Fetch Analog Input Data
Description

SyntaxFor scans that were started using the AD:INITiate command, described on
page 114, returns a number of time-stamped, sequenced measurementsfrom the input buffer on a DT8824 LXI instrument module, in the form ofscan records.
:AD:FETCh? <index> [, <number of scans>]

Required Parameters
Name:

index

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

Specifies the index (the offset in the input buffer) from which to retrievescan data.
To read from the first location in the buffer, specify 0 for index.
To read a sequence of measurements that chronologically follow thesequence of measurements from an earlier AD:FETCh?, specify an index
that is one greater than the number of the last scan from the previous
AD:FETCh?.
If only a subset of the scans that you requested are available (either because
the scan is not yet complete or the scan location in the input buffer was
overwritten with a later scan, the DT8824 LXI instrument module returns
the scans that exist between the starting index (index) and the ending index(index+number of scans).
For example, assume that you want to read 10 scans starting at index 5, but
the scans at indices 5 through 8 have been overwritten. In this case,
AD:FETCh? 5, 10 returns only scans 9 through 15.
If no scans exist between the starting index and the ending index, an empty
scan record is returned.

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Description (cont.):
Note: The Index parameter is an unsigned, 4-byte value with a maximum
value of 232 – 1 or 4294967295. The value of Index starts at 0 when dataacquisition starts, increments to 4294967295, then rolls over to 0 andcontinues incrementing.
If you scanning with a sample frequency of 4800 Hz, the value Index will
rollover to 0 in approximately ten days. For slower sampling frequencies,
this process will take longer.

Optional ParametersName:number of scans

Data Format:<+NR1>

Description:

Specifies the number of scans to retrieve from the input buffer, startingwith the scan number specified by index.
If this parameter is either omitted, a fixed number of scans is returned.
Since the size of the response in <DEFINITE LENGTH ARBITRARY BLOCKRESPONSE DATA> is limited to 2 KB, the maximum number of scan
records that AD:FETCh? can return is limited to the integral number ofscan records that can fit in the input buffer.

Response Data

<Header><Scan record><Scan record>...<Scan record>

Response Data
Format<DEFINITE LENGTH ARBITRARY BLOCK RESPONSE DATA>

Name:
Description:

Header
The header contains the following 4-byte fields:• Index – Index of the first scan record in this block.
• Number of scans – Number of scan records in this block.
• Samples per scan – Number of samples per enabled channel or scan
record.
• Time stamp seconds – The time stamp of the first scan record in theblock, in seconds.

Name:
Description:

Scan record
Consists of 4-byte “raw values" that represent the samples from theenabled input channels. If all the input channels are enabled, samples are
returned in the following order:• Chan 1 – analog channel 1• Chan 2 – analog channel 2• Chan 3 – analog channel 3• Chan 4 – analog channel 4112

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Notes

Since the maximum input buffer size is approximately 8 MB and eachsample is 4 bytes, you can store a maximum of approximately 2 Msamples
in the input buffer. If you sample each input channel at the maximum
input frequency (4800 Hz), the input buffer will fill in approximately 106
seconds (4800 samples/s per channel).
The maximum size of data transfer over Ethernet using the AD:FETCh?
command is 32 kB. Since each sample is 4 bytes, the maximum number ofsamples per AD:FETCh? is 8 ksamples. Therefore, if you are using
continuous wrap mode, ensure that you call AD:FETCh? in a tight loop to
ensure that you retrieve all the samples in the input buffer before the buffer
is overwritten.
While a client can repeatedly issue a AD:FETCh? request, be aware that the
network traffic is high and that the client has to determine if there is any
chronological overlap between responses.
Because of the way data is transferred from the FIFO on the DT8824, you
may experience a long delay before the acquired data is available if you
specify a slow sampling frequency. For example, if you want to acquire
data from one channel at a sampling frequency of 1.175 Hz, you have to
wait 13.6 s (to acquire 16 samples in the input FIFO) before you can accessthe data. The delay is minimized at faster sampling frequencies.
When an error is encountered, an error string is appended to the error
queue, and bit 2 (EAV) of the Status Byte register is set.
If bit 5 (CME) of the Standard Event Status Enable register is enabled, acommand error sets bit 5 (CME) of Event Status Register.
If bit 4 (E) of the Standard Event Status Enable register is enabled, an
Execution Error sets bit 4 (E) of the Standard Event Status register.
The summary of the Standard Event Status register is available in bit 5(ESB) of the Status Byte register.
For more information on measurements, see 1999 SCPI Command Reference,
section 3.1 and 3.4. For more information on <DEFINITE LENGTH
ARBITRARY BLOCK RESPONSE DATA>, see IEEE Std 488.2-1992, section
8.7.9.
The IEEE488.2 standard defines that binary formatted data shall have aprefix that begins with #xyyyyyyyy format. The x is always a 1-digit ASCII
numeric that specifies the "number of digits" for the y part; y has multiple
digits (specified by x) of decimal expression that specify the number ofbytes that follow.

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Chapter 4
ExampleThe following example returns two scan records, starting with index 0; in
this example, all the analog input channels were enabled:> :AD:FETC? 0,2< #6000052
Looking at the response, you can see the following:• # is the header• 6 (after #) specifies the number of characters that will follow• 000052 are the six characters (after 6) that specify how many bytes thatwill follow• The rest of the response includes the actual data in binary format

See Also

AD:INITiate, described on page 114
AD:ABORt, described on page 91

Initiate Analog Input Operation
Description

SyntaxIf the configured trigger source for the analog input subsystem is
IMMediate, starts the analog input operation immediately once thesubsystem has been armed with the AD:ARM command. For all othertrigger sources, this command has no effect.
:AD:INITiate

Optional Keywords
Name:

AD

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

Enumerated type that specifies whether to start the analog input (AD)subsystem.

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
An Execution Error is generated by this command if one of the following
conditions occurs:• The analog input operation is already running• No input channels are enabled• The analog input sample frequency is invalid
If bit 4 (E) of the Standard Event Status Enable register is enabled, an
Execution Error sets bit 4 (E) of the Standard Event Status register.

114

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Notes (cont.)

To determine if an Execution Error occurred, query bit 4 of the Standard
Event Status register using the *ESR? command, described on page 56.
Use the AD:STATus? command, described on page 104, to determine thestate of the analog input subsystem.
To read measurements, use the AD:FETCh? command, described on page
111.

ExampleThe following example configures a DT8824 LXI instrument module tosample analog input channels 1 to 3 at 4800 Hz when a software trigger isdetected, and queries the A/D status bits to determine the status of theoperation:> :AD:ENAB ON (@1:3)> :AD:CLOC:SOUR INT> :AD:CLOC:FREQ MAX> :AD:TRIG IMM> :AD:STAT?
< 0
The analog input operation is then armed and started, and the A/D status
bits are queried to determine the status of the operation:> :AD:ARM> :AD:INIT> :AD:STAT?
< 7
The analog input operation is then stopped and the A/D status bits are
queried to determine the status of the operation:> :AD:ABOR> :AD:STAT?
< 4

See Also

AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105
AD:ARM, described on page 92
AD:ABORt, described on page 91
AD:STATus?, described on page 104
AD:FETCh?, described on page 111

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Chapter 4

WTB (Wired Trigger Bus) Subsystem Commands
The Wired Trigger Bus subsystem includes the commands listed in Table 9. Use thesecommands when configuring the lines of the Trigger Bus on a DT8824 LXI instrument
modules. This section describes each of these commands in detail.

Table 9: Wired Trigger Bus Subsystem Commands
Name

116

Mnemonic

See

Wired Trigger Bus Lines Configuration

WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle

page 117

Wired Trigger Bus Lines Query

WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle?

page 118SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

Trigger Bus Lines Configuration
Description
Syntax

Enables or disables a specific Trigger Bus line from being driven on the bus.
:WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle <state>

Required Numeric
SuffixName:
Description:nSpecifies which of the Trigger Bus lines to enable for output. Values range
from 0 to 7.

Required Parameters
Name:

state

Data Format:<Boolean>Description:

Specifies whether the LXI line is driven out (enabled) on the Trigger Bus orwhether the line is ignored (disabled).
To enable the Trigger Bus LXI line, set this value to ON or 1. To disable the
Trigger Bus LXI line, set this value to OFF or 0.
By default, all Trigger Bus LXI lines are disabled.

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
The LXI clock source is dedicated to line 7 of the Trigger Bus. You canspecify the LXI clock source using the AD:CLOCk:SOURce command,
described on page 97.
The LXI sync source is dedicated to line 6 of the Trigger Bus and is
automatically enabled as an output when LXI7 is enabled as an output.
The LXI trigger source can be output on lines 0 to 5 of the Trigger Bus.You
can specify the source of the trigger using the AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]
command, described on page 105.
If you change the trigger source on the master, you must call the
WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle command again to ensure that the LXI
trigger signal is driven out on the Trigger Bus.
Refer to page 41 and page 45 for more information about setting up the
Trigger Bus for input and output operations.

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Chapter 4
Possible Errors-114 "Header suffix out of range"
If you receive this error, ensure that you specify a value of 0 to 7 for theheader suffix n.
-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the operation
before configuring the Trigger Bus.

ExampleThis example configures LXI line 0 of the Trigger Bus as driven (enabled):>:WTB:LXI0:ENAB 1

See Also

WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle?, described on page 118

Trigger Bus Lines Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the current configuration of a specific LXI line of the Trigger Bus.
:WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle?

Required Numeric
SuffixName:
Description:nSpecifies which of the Trigger Bus lines to configure. Values range from 0 to
7.

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response DataName:<state>state

Data Format:<Boolean>Description:

Returns a value of 1 if the LXI line is enabled to be driven out on the
Trigger Bus, or 0 if the LXI line is disabled.

Notes

The LXI clock signal is dedicated to line 7 of the Trigger Bus. You canspecify the LXI clock source using the AD:CLOCk:SOURce command,
described on page 97.
The LXI sync source is dedicated to line 6 of the Trigger Bus and is
automatically enabled as an output when LXI7 is enabled as an output.
The LXI trigger signal from the analog input subsystem can be output onlines 0 to 5 of the Trigger Bus.You can specify the source of the trigger
using the AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] command, described on page 105.

Possible Errors-114 "Header suffix out of range"
If you receive this error, ensure that you specify a value of 0 to 7 for theheader suffix n.

118

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
ExampleThis example returns the configuration of LXI line 0 of the Trigger Bus; inthis case LXI line 0 is driven (enabled):>:WTB:LXI0:ENABle?
< 1

See Also

WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle, described on page 117
AD:CLOCk:SOURce, described on page 97
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105119Chapter 4

EVENt Subsystem Command
The EVENt subsystem includes the commands listed in Table 10 used to manage LXI-defined
LAN events.
You can configure a DT8824 instrument module to generate LAN events. Specific LAN events
can be received by the DT8824 instrument module and used to trigger the analog input
subsystem. There are 8 LAN event configurations under this subsystem: LAN0, LAN1, LAN2,
LAN3, LAN4, LAN5, LAN6, and LAN7. In addition, there are a set of configuration
parameters that apply to the entire collection of configurations. This section describes thecommands and queries of the EVENt subsystem in detail.

Table 10: EVENt Subsystem Commands
Name

120

MnemonicSee

LAN Event Domain Configuration

EVENt:DOMain

page 121LAN Event Domain Query

EVENt:DOMain?

page 121LAN Event Name Configuration

EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe

page 122

LAN Event Name Query

EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe?

page 124

LAN Event Transmission Enable

EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle]

page 125

LAN Event Transmission Enable Query

EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle]?

page 126SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

LAN Event Domain Configuration
Description

Syntax

Sets the value of the LXI domain octet that is transmitted and received in
all LXI LAN trigger event packets. The domain setting is used in all theevent configurations (LAN0 to LAN7).
:EVENt:DOMain <value>

Required Parameters
Name:

value

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The value of the LXI domain octet that is transmitted and received in all
LXI LAN event packets. Valid values range from 0 to 255; the default value
is 0.

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
The LAN even domain setting is saved in nonvolatile memory.
A transmitted LAN event carries this domain setting. Any received LAN
event that does not have this domain setting is ignored.

Possible Errors-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop theoperation before configuring the LAN trigger event packet.

ExampleThis example configures the value of the LXI octet that is transmitted in all
the LXI LAN event packets to 1:>:EVEN:DOM 1

See Also

EVENt:DOMain?, described on page 121

LAN Event Domain Query
Description

SyntaxReturns the value of the LXI domain octet that is transmitted and received
in all LXI LAN event packets. The domain setting is used in all the event
configurations (LAN0 to LAN7).
:EVENt:DOMain?

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

<value>121

Chapter 4
Name:

value

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The value of the LXI domain octet that is transmitted and received in all
LXI LAN event packets. Valid values range from 0 to 255; the default value
is 0.

Notes

A transmitted LAN event carries this domain setting. Any received LAN
event that does not have this domain setting is ignored.

ExampleThis example returns the currently configured value of the LXI octet thattransmitted in all the LXI LAN event packets; in this case, the value is 1:>:EVEN:DOM?
< 1>:EVEN:DOM 3>:EVEN:DOM?
< 3

See Also

EVENt:DOMain, described on page 121

LAN Event Name Configuration
Description
SyntaxConfigures the LAN event ID field in the LXI LAN packet.
:EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe <event name>

Required Numeric
SuffixName:
Description:
Required Parameters
Optional Parameters

122nSpecifies which of the LAN events to configure. Values range from 0 to 7.
None

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Name:

event name

Data Format:<CHARACTER PROGRAM DATA>

Description:

A string with a maximum length of 16 ASCII characters. Event names
longer than 16 ASCII characters are truncated to the first 16 characters.
If this parameter is omitted, the event name is configured to be the default
string that corresponds to the specified LAN event, as follows:

Response Data
Notes

LAN Events

event name

0

LAN0

1

LAN1

2

LAN2

3

LAN3

4

LAN4

5

LAN5

6

LAN6

7

LAN7

None
This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
A LAN event that is transmitted from the instrument module has this value
in the event ID field.
LAN events that are received by the instrument module must have thisvalue in the event ID field, otherwise the event is ignored.

ExampleThis example specifies the LAN event name for LAN event configuration 3
as MYLAN3:>:EVENt:LAN3:NAM MYLAN3

Possible Errors-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the operation
before configuring the LAN trigger event packet.
-114 "Header suffix out of range"
If you receive this error, ensure that you specify a value of 0 to 7 for theheader suffix n.

See Also

EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe?, described on page 124123Chapter 4

LAN Event Name Query
Description
SyntaxReturns the LAN event ID field in the LXI LAN packet.
:EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe?

Required Numeric
SuffixName:
Description:nSpecifies the LAN event for which to return the event name. Values range
from 0 to 7.

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response DataName:<event name>event name

Data Format:<CHARACTER RESPONSE DATA>

Description:

A string with a maximum length of 16 ASCII characters. Event names
longer than 16 ASCII characters are truncated to the first 16 characters.
If this parameter is omitted, the event name is configured to be the default
string that corresponds to the specified LAN event, as follows:

Notes

LAN Event

event name

0

LAN0

1

LAN1

2

LAN2

3

LAN3

4

LAN4

5

LAN5

6

LAN6

7

LAN7

A LAN event that is transmitted from the instrument module has this value
in the event ID field.
LAN events that are received by the instrument module must have thisvalue in the event ID field, otherwise they the event is ignored.

ExampleThis example returns the currently configured event name for LAN event
configuration 3; in this case, "MYLAN3" is the event name:>:EVENt:LAN3:NAM?
< MYLAN3

Possible Errors-114 "Header suffix out of range"
If you receive this error, ensure that you specify a value of 0 to 7 for theheader suffix n.

124

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
See Also

EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe, described on page 122

LAN Event Transmission Enable
Description
Syntax

Enables or disables a specific LAN event for transmission from the
instrument module.
:EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle] <state>

Required Numeric
SuffixName:
Description:nSpecifies which of the LAN events to enable or disable. Values range from 0
to 7.

Required Parameters
Name:

state

Data Format:<Boolean>Description:

Specifies whether to enable or disable the specific LAN event fortransmission from the instrument module.
To enable this capability, set this value to ON or 1. To disable this capability,
set this value to OFF or 0.

Optional Parameters

None

Response Data

None

Notes

This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
More than one LAN event configuration can be enabled for transmission. A
LAN event configuration is implicitly enabled for reception using the
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] command, described on page 105.

Possible Errors-114 "Header suffix out of range"
If you receive this error, ensure that you specify a value of 0 to 7 for theheader suffix n.
-284 "Program currently running"If you receive this error, call the AD:ABORt command to stop the operation
before configuring the LAN trigger event packet.

ExampleThis example enables LAN event configuration 3:>:EVEN:LAN3:TRAN 1

See Also

EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle]?, described on page 126{AD|DA}:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105125Chapter 4

LAN Event Transmission Enable Query
Description

SyntaxReturns whether a specific LAN event is enabled or disabled fortransmission from the instrument module when the analog input
subsystem is triggered.
:EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle]?

Required Numeric
SuffixName:
Description:nSpecifies the LAN event for which to return the enable/disable state.
Values range from 0 to 7.

Required Parameters

None

Optional Parameters

None

Response DataName:<state>state

Data Format:<Boolean>Description:

Returns whether the specific LAN event is enabled or disabled fortransmission from the instrument module when the analog input
subsystem is triggered.
If this capability is enabled, the returned value is 1. If this capability isdisabled, the returned value is 0.

Notes

More than one LAN event configuration can be enabled for transmission. A
LAN event configuration is implicitly enabled for reception using the{AD}:TRIGger[:SOURce] command, described on page 105, and is used totrigger the analog input subsystem.

ExampleThis example returns the currently configured state of LAN configuration
3; in this case, this event configuration is enabled.
>:EVEN:LAN3:TRAN?
> 1

Possible Errors-114 "Header suffix out of range"
If you receive this error, ensure that you specify a value of 0 to 7 for theheader suffix n.

See Also

EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle], described on page 125{AD|DA}:TRIGger[:SOURce], described on page 105

126

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

DOUTput Subsystem Commands
The DOUTput subsystem includes the commands listed in Table 11. Use these commands
when updating the digital output port on a DT8824 LXI instrument modules. This section
describes each of these commands in detail.

Table 11: Digital OUTPut Subsystem Commands
Name

Mnemonic

See

Digital Output AND Output Values

DOUTput:AND

page 128

Digital Output OR Output Values

DOUTput:OR

page 129

Digital Output Set State

DOUTput

page 130

Digital Output Query State

DOUTput?

page 130

127

Chapter 4

Digital Output AND Output Values
Description

Compares the binary representations of a specified value and the current
value of the digital output port, and performs a logical AND operation oneach pair of corresponding bits.
If both bits are 1, the result is 1. If both bits are 0, the result is 0. If one bit is
1 and the other bit 0, the result is 0.

Syntax:DOUTput:AND <value>

Required Parameters
Name:

value

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

A value between 0 and 15 that is ANDed with the current value of thedigital output port.
This value represents the weighted bit value of the digital output port,
where the value of bit 0 (digital output line 0) corresponds to a decimalvalue of 1 (20) if the bit is set, and the value of bit 3 (digital output line 3)
corresponds to a decimal value of 8 (23) if the bit is set.
Setting a bit closes the relay contact that corresponds to the digital output
line.

Response Data
Notes

None
This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
You can use this command along with the DOUTput command, describedon page 130, and the DOUTput:OR command, described on page 129, tochange the state of certain digital output lines without affecting the state ofother digital output lines.
Refer to the 1999 SCPI Data Exchange Format, section 3.4.6.

ExampleAssume that the current value of the digital output port is decimal 8(binary 1000). The following example ANDs this value with decimal value
1 (binary 0001):>:DOUT:AND 1>:DOUT?
< 0
The result is decimal value 0 (binary 0000), which opens the relay contacts
associated with digital output lines 0, 1, 2, and 3.

See Also

DOUTput, described on page 130
DOUTput:OR, described on page 129
DOUTput?, described on page 130

128

SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824

Digital Output OR Output Values
Description

Compares the binary representations of a specified value and the current
value of the digital output port, and performs a logical OR operation oneach pair of corresponding bits.
If both bits are 1, the result is 1. If both bits are 0, the result is 0. If one bit is
1 and the other bit 0, the result is 1.

Syntax:DOUTput:OR <value>

Required Parameters
Name:

value

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

A value between 0 and 15 that is ORed with the current value of the digital
output port.
This value represents the weighted bit value of the digital output port,
where bit 0 (digital output line 0) corresponds to a decimal value of 1 (20) if
the bit is set, and the bit 3 (digital output line 3) corresponds to a decimalvalue of 8 (23) if the bit is set.
Setting a bit closes the relay contact that corresponds to the digital output
line.

Response Data
Notes

None
This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
You can use this command along with the DOUTput command, describedon page 130, and the DOUTput:AND command, described on page 129, tochange the state of certain digital output lines without affecting the state ofother digital output lines.
Refer to the 1999 SCPI Data Exchange Format, section 3.4.6.

ExampleAssume that the current value of the digital output port is decimal 8(binary 1000). The following example ORs this value with decimal value 1(binary 0001):>:DOUT:OR 1>:DOUT?
< 9
The result is decimal value 9 (binary 1001), which closes the relay contacts
associated with digital output lines 0 and 3 and opens the relay contact
associated with digital output lines 1 and 2.

See Also

DOUTput, described on page 130
DOUTput:AND, described on page 128
DOUTput?, described on page 130

129

Chapter 4

Digital Output Set State
Description
SyntaxCloses or opens the relay contacts associated with the digital output port
on a DT8824 LXI instrument module.
:DOUTput <value>

Required Parameters
Name:

value

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The weighted bit value of the digital output port, where the value of bit 0(digital output line 0) corresponds to a decimal value of 1 (20) if the bit isset, and the value of bit 3 (digital output line 3) corresponds to a decimalvalue of 8 (23) if the bit is set.
Values range from 0 to 15. Setting a bit closes the relay contact that
corresponds to the digital output line.

Response Data
Notes

None
This is a password-protected command. To enable this command tofunction, use the SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command, described on
page 83.
Refer to the 1999 SCPI Data Exchange Format, section 3.4.6.

ExampleThe following example closes the relay contacts associated with digital
output lines 0, 2, and 3 and opens the relay contact associated with digital
output line 1::DOUT 13

See Also

DOUTput?, described on page 130
DOUTput:AND, described on page 128
DOUTput:OR, described on page 129

Digital OUTput Query State
Description
SyntaxParameters
Response Data

130

Returns the current state of the relay contacts that are associated with thedigital output port on a DT8824 LXI instrument module.
:DOUTput?
None<value>SCPI Subsystem Commands for the DT8824
Name:

value

Data Format:<0+NR1>

Description:

The weighted bit value of the digital output port, where the value of bit 0(digital output line 0) corresponds to a decimal value of 1 (20) if the bit isset, and the value of bit 3 (digital output line 3) corresponds to a decimalvalue of 8 (23) if the bit is set.
Values range from 0 to 15. Setting a bit closes the relay contact that
corresponds to the digital output line.

Notes
ExampleRefer to the 1999 SCPI Data Exchange Format, section 3.4.6.
>:DOUT?
< 15
This response indicates that all the relay contacts of the digital output port
are closed.

See Also

DOUTput, described on page 130
DOUTput:AND, described on page 128
DOUTput:OR, described on page 129131

Chapter 4132

5Programming Flowcharts
Using Password Protected Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Using Password Protected Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Performing Input Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Performing Digital Output Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Performing Digital Output Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

133

Chapter 5

Using Password Protected Command
Determine if password-protected commands areenabled or disabled using the
SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe? command,
described on page 85.

Are passwordprotectedcommands
disabled?

Yes

Enable the password-protected commands bysupplying the current password using the
SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] command,
described on page 83.

No

Configure the instrument and start theoperation, as described on page 136 andpage 137.

Yes

Create new
password?

If desired, set a new password using the
SYSTem:PASSword:NEW command, describedon page 86.

No

Disablepasswordprotectedcommands?

134

Yes

To prevent some other SCPI client from stopping
the scan and/or modifying the configuration,
disable password-protected commands bysupplying the password using the
SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable command,
described on page 81.

Programming Flowcharts

Configuring the Instrument Module on the LAN
Set the static IP address of the instrument module using the
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr command,
described on page 79.

Set the subnet mask of the instrument module using the
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk command,
described on page 80.

135Chapter 5

Performing Input Operations
Enable the analog input channels that you want to sample using
the AD:ENABle command, described on page 96.

Specify the gain to use for the analog input channels using the
AD:GAIN[:CONFigure] command, described on page 99.

Specify the wrap mode of the input buffer using the
AD:BUFFer:MODE command, described on page 93.

Set up the clock that paces the operation
using the flowchart on page 138.

Set up the trigger that starts the operation
using the flowchart on page 139.

If using the IMMediate trigger source on the DT8824 trigger masteror single DT8824, start the analog input operation using the
AD:INITiate command, described on page 114.

Retrieve the scan data from the input buffer using the AD:FETCh?
command, described on page 111.

Want tostop theoperation?

136

Yes

Abort the operation using the AD:ABORt
command, described on page 91.

Programming Flowcharts

Performing Digital Output Operations
Set the state of the digital output port using the
DOUTput command, described on page 130.

137

Chapter 5

Setting up the Clock

Using
the Trigger Bus
to synchronize
multiple
devices?
No

Yes

On each DT8824 slave, specify the clock source as LXI7
using the [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce command,
described on page 97.

On the DT8824 clock master, specify the clock source
as INTernal using the [AD:]CLOCk:SOURce
command, described on page 97.
On the DT8824 clock master, drive out the clock signal(LXI7) on the Trigger Bus using the
WTB:LXI7[:OUTput]:ENABle command,
described on page 117.
On each DT8824 slave, specify the sampling frequency
using the AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]command, described on page 101.
On the DT8824 clock master, specify the sampling
frequency using theAD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure] command,
described on page 101.

Specify the clock source as INTernal using the[AD:]CLOCk:SOURce command, described on page 97.

Specify the sampling frequency using theAD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure] command,
described on page 101.

138

Refer to page 41 and page
45 for more information on
the order of commands whenusing the Trigger Bus.

Programming Flowcharts

Setting up the Trigger

If the DT8824 is the trigger master or if you are using a single DT8824, specify
the trigger source as IMMediate (for software trigger), EXTernal (for digitaltrigger), or LAN0 to LAN7 (for LAN event trigger) using the
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] command, described on page 97.

Is theselected
triggersource
EXTernal?

Refer to page 41 and page
45 for more information on
the order of commands whenusing the Trigger Bus.

Yes

Set the trigger edge to POSitive or NEGative using the
AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE command,
described on page 109.

No

Is theselected
triggersource LAN0
to LAN7?
No

Yes

Set the value of the LXI domain octet using theEVENt:DOMain command, described on page 121.
Enable a LAN event (LAN0 to LAN7) for transmission
using the EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle]command, described on page 121.
Configure the LAN event ID field of the LXI packet using
the EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe command,
described on page 122.

On each DT8824 slave (if used), specify the trigger source as LXI0
to LXI5 using the AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] command,
described on page 97.
If the DT8824 is the trigger master, drive out the appropriate trigger
signal (LXI0 to LXI5) on the Trigger Bus using the
WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle command, described on page 117.
(This command is not needed if you are using a single DT8824.)

On each DT8824 slave (if used), arm the analog input subsystemusing the AD:ARM command, described on page 92.

If the DT8824 is the trigger master or if you are using a single
DT8824, arm the analog input subsystem using the AD:ARM
command, described on page 92.

139

Chapter 5140

6Product Support

141

Chapter 6
Should you experience problems using SCPI to program a DT8824 LXI instrument module,
follow these steps:
1. Read all the appropriate sections of this manual. Make sure that you have added any“Read This First” information to your manual and that you have used this information.
2. Check for a README file on the DT8824 CD. If present, read this file for the latest
installation and usage information.
3. Check that you have installed your hardware devices properly. For information, refer tothe documentation supplied with your devices.
4. Check that you have installed the device drivers for your hardware devices properly. For
information, refer to the documentation supplied with your devices.
5. Check that you have installed your software properly.
If you are still having problems, Data Translation’s Technical Support Department is available
to provide technical assistance. To request technical support, go to our web site at
http://www.mccdaq.com and click on the Support link.
When requesting technical support, be prepared to provide the following information:• Your product serial number• The hardware/software product you need help on• The version of the CD you are using• Your contract number, if applicable
If you are located outside the USA, contact your local distributor; see our web site(www.mccdaq.com) for the name and telephone number of your nearest distributor.

142

A
ErrorsError Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Troubleshooting Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

143

Appendix A

Error Codes
Use the SYSTem:ERRor:ALL? command, described on page 74, to return the errors that haveoccurred.
Errors are returned in your program as follows:–110,"Command header error"
The number represents the error code and the string that follows represents the error
description. Note that there is no space between the comma after error code and the quotation
mark before the error description.
Table 12 lists the error codes that DT8824 LXI instrument modules can return.

Table 12: SCPI Error Codes that DT8824 LXI Instrument Modules Can Return
Error CodeError Message

Description0

No error

Normal operation; no error occurred.

–100

Command error

A command is missing a parameter, or the command contains too
many parameters or too many dimensions.

–102

Syntax error

An unrecognized command or data type was encountered; forexample, a string was received when the instrument module does not
accept strings.

–104

Data type error

A data element different than the one allowed was encountered; forexample, numeric data was expected but string data wasencountered.

–110

Command header
error

The command header is invalid.
See page 146 for information on troubleshooting this error.

–114

Header suffix out ofrange

The value for the header suffix is out of range.

–115

Unexpected numberof parameters

The number of parameters received does not correspond to thenumber of parameters that were expected.

–120

Numeric data error

The value of a parameter overflowed, has the wrong dimensions, or
contains an invalid value.

–131

Invalid suffix

The suffix does not follow the syntax described in IEEE 488.2, 7.7.3.2,
or the suffix is inappropriate for this instrument module.

–200

Execution error

A <PROGRAM DATA> element following a header was evaluated by
the instrument module as outside of its legal input range or isotherwise inconsistent with the instrument module’s capabilities.
A valid program message could not be executed properly due to somecondition of the instrument module.

144

–221

Settings conflict

The specified socket cannot be configured because it is alreadyconnected.

–222

Data out of range

A legal program data element was parsed but could not be executed
because the interpreted value was outside the legal range for the
instrument module.

Errors
Table 12: SCPI Error Codes that DT8824 LXI Instrument Modules Can Return (cont.)
Error CodeError Message

Description–284

Program currently
running

Certain operations dealing with programs are illegal while the programis running; for example, you cannot configure/reconfigure an operation
while a scan is in progress.

–350

Queue overflow

The error queue is full; subsequent errors can not be added to thequeue. Use the *CLS command, described on page 54, to clear theerror queue as well as the Status Byte register–410

Query interrupted

The query did not complete.
See page 147 for information on troubleshooting this error.

145

Appendix A

Troubleshooting Errors
This section describes how to troubleshoot the following frequently encountered errors:• –110,"Command header error"• –410,"Query interrupted"

Error –110 Command Header Error
This error indicates that the command you sent was not recognized by the instrument module
as a valid command name. Here are the most likely causes for receiving this error:• A space is missing between the command and its parameter. At least one space (blank)
must exist between the command and its parameter.
For example, this command will not be recognized and will return error –110::AD:BUFFer:MODEWRAp

wrong

This command, however, is correct and will not return an error::AD:BUFFer:MODE WRAp

right

• The command was specified with the improper short or long form.
For example, you can specify :AD:BUFF:MODE but not :AD:BUF:MODE for the:AD:BUFFer:MODE command.
Refer to Chapter 3 starting on page 53 and Chapter 4 starting on page 63, for the correctcommand name.
• A space (blank) is inserted within the command name. Spaces are not permitted within
the command name.
For example, this command is incorrect and will return error -110::SYST: ERR?

Wrong

This command, however, is correct and will not return an error::SYST:ERR?

Right• The instrument module did not return data. To return data from the instrument module,
the client must send a valid query to the instrument module. For example, to return scandata, the client must issue the :AD:FETCh? command once the scan has been initiated.
• A client sent a valid query following an invalid command. This can occur when you send
multiple commands or queries within one program message. When it detects an error in a
program message, the instrument module discards all further commands in the program
message until the end of the string.
For example, consider the following program message:*IDN?;*xyz;*STB?
Because the *xyz command generates error –110, all commands on this program line fail,even though *IDN? and *STB? are valid queries.

146

Errors

Error –410 Query Interrupted
This error applies to :INSTR connections, not to :SOCKET connections.
Usually, this error occurs when a client sends a valid query to the instrument module, andthen sends another command or query to the instrument module before reading the response
from the first query.
For example, the following sequence of commands will cause error –410 because the response
from :SYST:ERR? is not read before the *OPC command is sent to the instrument module::SYST:ERR?
*OPC?

147

Appendix A148

BRegisters
Status Byte Register (STB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Standard Event Status Enable Register (ESE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Standard Event Status Register (ESR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Operation Status Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

149

Appendix B

Status Byte Register (STB)
Table 13 lists the bits of the Status Byte register.

Table 13: Status Byte Register
Bit

Name

Description0

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

1

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

2

Error / Event Queue Summary(EAV)

During an operation, the DT8824 LXI instrument module stores
error conditions as they occur in an Error / Event Queue.
If this bit is 1, the queue is not empty. To read the error message
and empty the queue, use the SYST:ERR? command, describedon page 74.
If this bit is 0, the Error / Event Queue is empty.

3

Questionable Register Summary

DT8824 LXI instrument modules do not implement the
Questionable Data/Signal Status Register register. Therefore,
the value of this bit is always 0.

4

Message Available (MAV)The Output Queue stores response messages until they areread.
If this bit is 1, an unread message exists. The DT8824 LXI
instrument module places Data Byte and END messages into the
Output Queue in response to query commands. Thesemessages are removed from the Output Queue as they are readby the controller. As long as the Output Queue contains an
unread message, the value of the MAV bit is 1.
If this bit is 0, an unread message does not exist in the Output
Queue.

5

Standard Event Status Bit (ESB)
Summary

If this bit is 1, one or more bits in the Standard Event Status
register, described on page 153, is set.
If this bit is 0, no bits are in Standard Event Status register are
set.

6

Request Service

DT8824 LXI instrument modules do not implement the Request
Service register. Therefore, the value of this bit is always 0.

7Operation Status Register
Summary

If this bit is 1, one or more bits in the device-dependent Operation
Status register, described on page 154, is set.
If this bit is 0, no bits in the Operation Status register are set.

150

Registers

Standard Event Status Enable Register (ESE)
Figure 16 shows the relationship between the Standard Event Status Enable and Standard
Event Status registers.

Standard Event Status
Register (*ESR?)
PON
7

NU
6

CME
5

E
4

DDE
3

QYE
2

RQC
1

OPC
0

&
&
Logical OR

&
&
&
&
&
&

PON
7

NU
6

Summary Message
Event Summary Bit (ESB)(Bit 5 of the Status Byte Register)

CME
5

E
4

DDE
3

QYE
2

RQC
1

OPC
0

Standard Event Status
Enable Register(*ESE and *ESE?)

Figure 16: Standard Event Status Enable (ESE) andStandard Event Status Registers (ESR)

Table 14 lists the bits of the Standard Event Status Enable (ESE) register.

151

Appendix B

Table 14: Standard Event Status Enable (ESE) Register
Bit

Name

Description

0

Operation Complete (OPC)

This bit is always 1 on DT8824 LXI instrument modules, since the instrument
module is always enabled to complete all pending overlapped commands.
Overlapped commands are executed in parallel with subsequent commands
that are sent to the DT8824 LXI instrument module.

1

Request Control (RQC)

This bit is always 0 on DT8824 LXI instrument modules since the instrument
module is not configured to control GPIB operation.

2

Query Error (QYE)

If this bit is set to 1, the Query Error bit (bit 2) of the Standard Event Status
register is enabled.
If this bit is set to 0, the Query Error bit (bit 2) of the Standard Event Status
register is disabled.

3

Device Dependent Error(DDE)

If this bit is set to 1, the Device Dependent Error bit (bit 3) of the Standard
Event Status register is enabled.
If this bit is set to 0, the Device Dependent Error bit (bit 3) of the Standard
Event Status register is disabled.

4

Execution Error (E)If this bit is set to 1, the Execution Error bit (bit 4) of the Standard Event
Status register is enabled.
If this bit is set to 0, the Execution Error bit (bit 4) of the Standard Event
Status register is disabled.

5

Command Error (CME)

If this bit is set to 1, the Command Error bit (bit 5) of the Standard Event
Status register is enabled.
If this bit is set to 0, the Command Error bit (bit 5) of the Standard Event
Status register is disabled.

6

Not Used (NU)

The value of this bit is always 0.

7Power ON (PON)

If this bit is set to 1, the Power ON bit (bit 7) of the Standard Event Status
register is enabled.
If this bit is set to 0, the Power ON bit (bit 7) of the Standard Event Status
register is disabled.

152

Registers

Standard Event Status Register (ESR)
Table 15 lists the bits of the Standard Event Status register; see Figure 16 on page 151 for more
information on how the Standard Event Status Enable register is used with this register.

Table 15: Standard Event Status (ESR) Register
Bit

Name

0

Operation Complete (OPC)

Description
If this bit is set to 1, all pending operations are complete.
If this bit is set to 0, all pending operations have not been
completed.

1

Request Control (RQC)

Not supported. DT8824 LXI instrument modules are notconfigured to control GPIB operation. Therefore, the value of
this bit is always 0.

2

Query Error (QYE)

If this bit is 1, a query error was detected indicating that an
attempt was made to read data from the output queue when nodata was present, or that data in the output queue was lost (anoverflow condition occurred).
If this bit is 0, a query error did not occur.

3

Device Dependent Error(DDE)

If this bit is 1, a device-dependent error was detected. Refer toAppendix A starting on page 143 for a list of device-dependent
errors that can be returned.
If this bit is 0, a device-dependent error did not occur.

4

Execution Error (E)If this bit is 1, an Execution Error was detected indicating that a<PROGRAM DATA> element was outside the legal range or
was inconsistent with the operation of the DT8824 LXI
instrument module, or that the DT8824 LXI instrument module
could not execute a valid command due to some internal
condition.
If this bit is 0, an Execution Error did not occur.

5

Command Error (CME)

If this bit is 1, a Command Error was detected indicating that theDT8824 LXI instrument module received a command that did
not follow proper syntax or was misspelled, or that the DT8824
LXI instrument module received a command that was not
implemented.
If this bit is 0, a Command Error did not occur.

6

Not Used (NU)

The value of this bit is always 0.

7Power ON (PON)

If this bit is 1, power to the DT8824 LXI instrument module wasturned OFF and then ON since the last time the Power ON
register was read.
If this bit is 0, power to the DT8824 LXI instrument module wasalways ON between reads of the Power ON register.

153

Appendix B

Operation Status Register
Table 16 lists the bits of the Operation Status register. The logical OR of all bits is reported in
bit 7 (Operation Status Register summary) of the Status Byte (STB) register, described on page
150.

Table 16: Operation Status Register
Bit

Name

Description0

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

1

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

2

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

3UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

4

A/D Measuring

If this bit is 1, the analog input subsystem is actively
measuring.
If this bit is 0, the analog input subsystem is not actively
measuring.

5

A/D Waiting for Trigger

If this bit is 1, the analog input subsystem is waiting for a
trigger.
If this bit is 0, the analog input subsystem is not waiting fora trigger.

6

A/D Waiting for Arm

If this bit is 1, the analog input subsystem is waiting to bearmed.
If this bit is 0, the analog input subsystem is not waiting to
be armed.

154

7

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

8UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

9UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

10UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

11

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

12UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

13

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

14

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

15

UnusedThe value of this bit is always 0.

C
ExamplesFeatures of the DT8824 SCPI Example Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Opening and Running the DT8824 SCPI Example Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

155

Appendix C
The DT8824 SCPI example program illustrates how to use SCPI commands to program a
DT8824 instrument module.
This example was written using Visual C++ in Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2003, 2005, and2008, and Visual C# in Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2005 and 2008.

156

Examples

Features of the DT8824 SCPI Example Program
Using the DT8824 SCPI example program, you can do the following:• Connect to a DT8824 instrument module by specifying an IP address.
• Configure the following parameters for the analog input subsystem:− Enable or disable the ability to acquire data from analog input channels 1 to 4.
− Specify a gain of 1, 8, 16, or 32 for each analog input channel.
− Save the analog input configuration.
• Configure the following parameters for the clock:− Specify the scan frequency for the analog input subsystem.
− Save the clock configuration.
• Start acquisition and see the results of each scan.

157

Appendix C

Opening and Running the DT8824 SCPI Example
Program
To open and run the DT8824 SCPI example program, do the following:
1. Start Microsoft Visual Studio .NET.
2. Click File, click Open, and then click Project.
3. If you are using Visual C# .NET, from the Windows Start menu, select the following:
Programs -> Data Translation, Inc -> Instruments -> DT8824 -> SCPI Support->Examples -> C# ->DT8824 SCPI Examples. sln
If you are using Visual C++ .NET, from the Windows Start menu, select the following:
Programs -> Data Translation, Inc -> Instruments -> DT8824 -> SCPI Support->Examples -> CPP -> DT8824 SCPI Examples. sln
4. From the main menu of Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, click Build, and then click Build
Solution to build the project.
5. To run the example, click Debug from the main menu, and then click Start.
The example program starts.
6. Use the capabilities of the example program to see how it operates.
7. When you are finished using the example program, click Debug from the main menu,
then click Stop Debugging.
8. View the user interface of the example program by clicking the appropriate [Design] tabon the main window.
9. View the source code for the example program by clicking the appropriate tab (such as
example.cs) on the main window.

158

D
Using HyperTerminal to Send andReceive SCPI Commands

159

Appendix D
If you want to use the standard Windows HyperTerminal application to send and receive
SCPI commands, do the following:
1. From the Start menu, click Programs ->Accessories - > Communications ->HyperTerminal.
The HyperTerminal application opens and the following screen appears:

2. Enter a name for the connection, such as MyTerm, can click OK.
The Connect To dialog appears:

3. In the Connect using field, select TCP/IP (Winsock). The other fields on the screenchange accordingly.

160

Using HyperTerminal to Send and Receive SCPI Commands
4. Enter the IP address of the instrument module (which you can locate using the Eureka
Discovery Utility), and then enter 5025 as the port number.
The screen appears as follows:

5. Click OK.
6. From the File menu, click Properties, and then click Settings.
The following screen appears:

161

Appendix D

7. Click ASCII Setup...
8. Configure this dialog box so that the following options are checked: Send line ends withline feeds, Echo typed characters locally, and Wrap lines that exceed terminal width),
and then click OK.
The screen should look as follows:162

Using HyperTerminal to Send and Receive SCPI Commands

9. Click OK to close the Property dialog box.
The following screen appears:

10. From the Call menu, click Call.
11. Enter any of the documented SCPI commands or queries. The following screen shows anexample:163

Appendix D

12. When you are finished using the SCPI commands, select the Call menu, and then click
Disconnect to terminate your connection with the instrument module.

164

IndexIndex
Symbols[AD:]CLOCk:SOURce 40, 41, 97, 138[AD:]CLOCk:SOURce? 42, 99*CLS 54*ESE 54*ESE? 55
*ESR? 56
*IDN? 57
*OPC 58*OPC? 58
*RST 59*SRE 59*SRE? 60
*STB? 60
*TST? 59
*WAI 62A
ABORt Analog Input Operation command 91
AD subsystem commands[AD:]CLOCk:SOURce 97[AD:]CLOCk:SOURce? 99
AD:ABORt 91
AD:ARM 92
AD:BUFFer:MODE 93
AD:BUFFer:MODE? 94
AD:BUFFer:SIZe[:SCAns]? 95
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure] 101
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]? 103
AD:ENABle 96
AD:ENABle? 97
AD:FETCh? 111
AD:GAIN[:CONFigure] 99
AD:GAIN[:CONFigure]? 100
AD:INITiate 114
AD:STATus:SCAn? 103
AD:STATus? 104
AD:SYNc:SOURce? 93
AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE 109
AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE? 110
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] 105
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]? 107
AD:ABORt 39, 50, 91, 136
AD:ARM 47, 92, 139
AD:BUFFer:MODE 39, 93, 136

AD:BUFFer:MODE? 39, 94
AD:BUFFer:SIZe[:SCAns]? 39, 49, 95
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure] 40, 41, 101,138
AD:CLOCk:FREQuency[:CONFigure]? 42, 103
AD:ENABle 38, 96, 136
AD:ENABle? 38, 97
AD:FETCh? 48, 111, 136
AD:GAIN[:CONFigure] 38, 99, 136
AD:GAIN[:CONFigure]? 38, 100
AD:INITiate 47, 114, 136
AD:STATus:SCAn? 49
AD:STATus? 47, 104
AD:SYNc:SOURce? 42, 93
AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE 43, 46, 109, 139
AD:TRIGger:EXTernal:EDGE? 43, 110
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce] 42, 43, 44, 46, 105, 139
AD:TRIGger[:SOURce]? 42, 107
ADC sync signal 40
ADC Synchronization Source Query command 93
aliasing 42
analog input 38
arming the operation 47
configuring the buffer 39
configuring the clock 40
configuring the gain 38
configuring the input range 38
configuring the trigger 42
enabling channels 38
retrieving data from the buffer 48
starting the operation 47
stopping the operation 50
Analog Input Buffer Mode Configurationcommand 93
Analog Input Buffer Mode Query command 94
Analog Input Buffer Size Query command 95
Analog Input Channel Enable command 96
Analog Input Channel Enable Query command 97
Analog Input Clock Source Configurationcommand 97
Analog Input Clock Source Query command 99
Analog Input Gain Configuration command 99
Analog Input Gain Query command 100
Analog Input Sampling Frequency Configurationcommand 101
Analog Input Sampling Frequency Query
command 103

165

IndexAnalog Input Scan Status Query 103
Analog Input Status Bits Query command 104
Analog Input Trigger Edge Configurationcommand 109
Analog Input Trigger Edge Query command 110
Analog Input Trigger Source Configurationcommand 105
Analog Input Trigger Source Query command 107
ARM Analog Input Operation command 92
arming operations 47
Auto-IP 33

B
Block data types 23
Boolean data types 23
braces 18
brackets 18

Cchannel lists 26
character data types 20
Clear Status command 54
clients 48
clock signal 40
clocksanalog input 40
command header error 146
command hierarchy 64
common commands*CLS 54*ESE 54*ESE? 55
*ESR? 56
*IDN? 57
*OPC 58*OPC? 58
*RST 59*SRE 59*SRE? 60
*STB? 60
*TST? 59
*WAI 62
configuring LAN settings of an instrument 135
configuring LAN settings of an instrument module
33
continuous wrap mode 39

166

D
Data Interchange Format (DIF) expressions 28
data types 20
Block 23
Boolean 23
character 20
NR1 21NR2 21
NRf 22
NRr 21string 20
DATE Query command 73, 74
description of the device 34
device description 34
DHCP 33
digital output 51
Digital Output AND Output Values command 128
Digital Output OR Output Values command 129
Digital OUTput Query State command 130
Digital Output Set State command 130
digital trigger 43
Disable Password-Protected Commands command81
documentation 32
domain 44
DOUTput 51, 130, 137
DOUTput subsystem commands
DOUTput 130
DOUTput:AND 128
DOUTput:OR 129
DOUTput? 130
DOUTput:AND 51, 128
DOUTput:OR 51, 129
DOUTput? 51, 130
DT8851 SCPI example 156

E
Enable Password-Protected Commands command
83
enabling channels
analog input 38
Error Query All Codes command 75
Error Query All command 74
ERRor Query Count command 76
Error Query Next Code command 78
Error Query Next command 77
errors 143, 144, 149, 150, 152, 153, 154, 155, 159-110 146-410 147

Indexerror codes 144
troubleshooting 146
event ID 44
event name 44
Event Status (ESR) register 153
Event Status Enable (ESE) register 151
Event Status Register Query command 56
EVENt subsystem commands
EVENt:DOMain 121
EVENt:DOMain? 121
EVENt:LAN[<n>]:TRANsmit[:ENABle]? 126
EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe 122
EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe? 124
EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle] 125
EVENt:DOMain 44, 46, 121, 139
EVENt:DOMain? 121
EVENt:LAN[<n>]:TRANsmit[:ENABle]? 126
EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe 44, 45, 46, 122, 139
EVENt:LAN<n>:NAMe? 124
EVENt:LAN<n>:TRANsmit[:ENABle] 44, 46, 125,139
examples 32, 156
expression types 25
channel lists 26
Data Interchange Format (DIF) 28
instrument-specifier 29
numeric 25
numeric lists 27
EXTernal digital trigger 43

F
FIFO, input 39, 48
flowcharts
analog input 136
clock for analog input 138
digital output 137
trigger for analog input 139
using password-protected commands 134
frequency
analog input operations 41
frequency, analog input operations 40, 41

Ggain 38

H

HyperTerminal 159, 160

I
Identification query 57
IMMediate software trigger 42
INITiate Analog Input Operation command 114
initiating input operations 47
input buffer
configuring 39
retrieving data 48
input ranges 38
Input Trigger LED 42
installation 32
instrument-specifier expressions 29
internal clock 40
internet protocols, UDP 43
IP address 33, 34

L
LAN configuration 33
flowchart 135
returning information about the instrument 34
LAN Event Domain Configuration command 121
LAN Event Domain Query command 121
LAN Event Name Configuration command 122
LAN Event Name Query command 124
LAN Event Transmission Enable command 125
LAN Event Transmission Enable Query command
126
LAN Static IP Address Configuration command 79
LAN Static IP Address Query command 80
LAN Subnet Mask Configuration command 80
LAN Subnet Mask Query command 81
LAN trigger packet 43
LED, Input Trigger 42
LXI6 ADC Sync signal 40
LXI7 clock signal 40

Mmask, subnet 33, 34
master clock 40
messages
program 16
response 19
mnemonics 18
multicast 43

help 8hierarchy of commands 64

167

IndexNno wrap mode 39
NR1 data types 21
NR2 data types 21
NRf data types 22
NRr data types 21
numeric expression types 25
numeric lists 27
Nyquist Theorem 42

O
Operation Complete command 58
Operation Complete Query command 58
Operation Condition (OCR) register 154
Operation Condition Register Query command 67
Operation Event Register Enable command 67
Operation Event Register Query command 68
Operation Status Register Enable Query command
68

P
password-protected commands 35
port 5025 10
Presetting registers command 69
program messages 16
protocols, UDP 43

Q
query interrupted error 147
Query Password Enable State command 85
Questionable Condition Register Query command
69
Questionable Enable Register command 70
Questionable Event Register Query command 70
Questionable Register Enable Query command 70

Rranges, analog input 38
Read Status Byte query 60
reference clock 40
registers
Operation Condition (OCR) 154
Standard Event Status (ESR) 153
Standard Event Status Enable (ESE) 151
Status Byte (STB) 150
related documents 8
Reset command 59

168

response messages 19
retrieving input data 48

Ssample clock 40
SCPI clients 48
SCPI data types 20
SCPI expression types 25
channel lists 26
Data Interchange Format (DIF) expressions 28
instrument-specifier expressions 29
numeric expressions 25
numeric lists 27
SCPI support files 32
SCPI Version Query command 87
Self-Test Query command 59
service and support procedure 142
Service Request Enable command 59
Service Request Enable Query command 60
Set New Password command 86
sockets 10
software trigger 42
Standard Event Status (ESR) register 153
Standard Event Status Enable (ESE) register 151
Standard Event Status Enable Register command
54
Standard Event Status Enable Register Query
command 55
starting operations 47
static IP 33
Status Byte (STB) register 150
STATus subsystem commands
STATus:OPERation:CONDition? 67
STATus:OPERation:ENABle 67
STATus:OPERation:ENABle? 68
STATus:OPERation:EVENt? 68
STATus:PRESet 69
STATus:QUEStionable:CONDition? 69
STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle 70
STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle? 70
STATus:QUEStionable:EVENt? 70
SYSTem:VERSion? 87
STATus:OPERation:CONDition? 67
STATus:OPERation:ENABle 67
STATus:OPERation:ENABle? 68
STATus:OPERation:EVENt? 68
STATus:PRESet 69
STATus:QUEStionable:CONDition? 69
STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle 70
STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle? 70

IndexSTATus:QUEStionable:EVENt? 70
stopping operations 50
string data types 20
subnet mask 33, 34
syntax conventions 9
braces 18
brackets 18
common SCPI commands 17
program messages 16
response messages 19
SCPI data types 20
SCPI expression types 25
SCPI subsystem commands 17
short- and long-form mnemonics 18
vertical bars 18
SYSTem subsystem commands
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr 79
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr? 80
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk 80
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk? 81
SYSTem:DATE? 73, 74
SYSTem:ERRor:ALL? 74
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE:ALL? 75
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE[:NEXT]? 78
SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt? 76
SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]? 77
SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable 81, 134
SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe? 85, 134
SYSTem:PASSword:NEW 86, 134
SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] 83, 134
SYSTem:RANGE[:MAX]? 89
SYSTem:TIME? 88
SYSTem:TZONe? 89
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr 33, 79,
135
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:IPaddr? 34, 80
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk 33, 80,
135
SYSTem:COMMunicate:NETwork:MASk? 34, 81
SYSTem:DATE? 73, 74
SYSTem:DESCription 33
SYSTem:DESCription? 34
SYSTem:ERRor:ALL? 74
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE:ALL? 75
SYSTem:ERRor:CODE[:NEXT]? 78
SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt? 76
SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]? 77
SYSTem:PASSword:CDISable 35, 81
SYSTem:PASSword:CENable:STATe? 36, 85
SYSTem:PASSword:NEW 36, 86
SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] 35, 83

SYSTem:RANge[:MAX]? 38, 100, 101
SYSTem:TIME? 88
SYSTem:VERSion? 87

T
TCP port 5025 10
technical support 8, 142
TIME Query command 88
time stamp 44
Time Zone Query 89
Trigger Bus
clock signal 40
trigger signal 45
triggers
analog input 42
EXTernal digital 43
IMMediate software 42
LAN0 to LAN7 trigger packet 43
Trigger Bus 45
troubleshooting checklist 142
troubleshooting errors 146
troubleshooting procedure 142
TTL trigger 43

U
UDP 43using HyperTerminal 159

Vvertical bars 18
VISA 10
Voltage Range Query 89
voltage ranges 38
VXI-11 clients 48

W
Wait-to-Continue command 62
wrap mode 39
WTB subsystem commands
WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle 117
WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle? 118
WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle 41, 46, 47, 117,
138, 139
WTB:LXI<n>[:OUTput]:ENABle? 118

169

Index170