The SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments), often pronounced "skippy," is a standardized command language designed for controlling electronic test and measurement devices. It was created to provide a common, high-level command set that could be used for instruments from different manufacturers, promoting interoperability and simplifying test system development. SCPI defines a standard syntax, command structure, and data formats.
It does not define the physical communication layer; SCPI commands are simply ASCII text strings that can be sent over any interface, such as GPIB, USB, LAN, or RS-232C. The command structure is hierarchical, or tree-like, using a colon (:) to separate keywords. For example, the command to set the voltage on the first output channel might be :SOURce1:VOLTage:LEVel 5.0. Many commands have both a long form (e.g., VOLTAGE) and a short form (e.g., VOLT), and commands that query the instrument for a value typically end with a question mark, like MEASure:VOLTage?.
By standardizing common commands for different classes of instruments (like power supplies, multimeters, etc.), SCPI allows a programmer to use very similar code to control different devices, reducing the learning curve and development time. Many modern instruments support SCPI, making it a cornerstone of automated test programming.
Various measuring instruments are compliant with the SCPI language, and we also offer a choice of SCPI and original commands for use.
Matsusada Precision supports the PCPI language in the REK/REKJ series of DC power supplies and other products.