Introduction - HP 53150A Series Programming Manual

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Introduction

Introduction
This programming guide contains programming information for the
HP 53150A, 53151A, and 53152A Microwave Frequency Counters.
This guide assumes you are familiar with the front-panel operation of the
Counter. See the HP 53150A/151A/152A Operating Guide for detailed
information about front-panel operation. You should use this
programming guide together with the operating guide. Knowing how to
control the Counter from the front panel and understanding the
measurements you want to perform makes the programming task much
easier. The operating guide provides explanations and procedures for all
of the Counter's measurement functions and contains the specifications
for the Counter.
By sending Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI)
commands, you can remotely operate many of the Counter's front-panel
functions via the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB) or the RS-232
serial interface. These programming commands conform to the Standard
Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) Standard Version
1992.0. The SCPI standard does not completely redefine how to program
instruments over the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB) or the
RS-232 serial interface. However, it does standardize the structure and
content of an instrument's command set to reflect the best programming
practices developed by people using HP-IB. It also establishes standard
command mnemonics for similar functions in all of the instruments that
conform to the SCPI standard.
If you have programmed any HP instruments that have been released
over the last few years, you have probably seen a general trend toward the
techniques specified in the SCPI standard. For example, several
instruments are already using a hierarchy of commands that is similar to
the command structure defined by the SCPI standard.
1-2 Programming Guide