The Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI) Consortium
was an organization
whose members shared a common commitment to develop a common interface language between
computers and test instruments. The SCPI Standard is built on the foundation of
IEEE-488.2, Standard Codes and Formats. It requires conformance to IEEE-488.2, but
is pure software standard. SCPI syntax is ASCII text, and therefore can be attached
to any computer test language, such as BASIC, C, or C++. It can also be used with
Test Application Environments such as LabWindows/CVI, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Microsoft Visual Studio, or Agilent VEE. SCPI is
hardware-independent. SCPI strings can be sent over any instrument interface. It
works equally well over GPIB, RS-232, VXIbus or LAN networks.
Integration into the IVI Foundation
The SCPI Consortium voted to become part of the IVI Foundation in late 2002 and
the IVI Foundation Board of Directors voted to accept the merger in the spring of
2003. IVI has assumed control of the SCPI specifications
and all ongoing work will be accomplished as part of the IVI Foundation.
To view/download SCPI, go to the Specifications page.