Tektronix 5 and 6 Series MSO PI Command Translator Technical Brief

About this manual

The Programming Interface (PI) Translator is a built-in feature on Tektronix 5 and 6 Series MSO oscilloscopes (including MSO58LP and LPD64 models) that enables compatibility with legacy automation systems. It acts as a dictionary to intercept and translate older, unsupported SCPI commands into modern commands supported by the oscilloscope firmware. This feature is available in firmware versions v1.30 and higher and runs passively without requiring installation on the remote client.

The document details how to enable the PI Translator via the oscilloscope's User Preferences menu or via a PI command. It also explains the structure of the XML Compatibility File used to define custom translations, including the syntax for keywords, attributes (such as 'leaf', 'query', and 'command'), and translation headers. The guide provides examples of how to add custom entries to migrate specific legacy automation sequences to the new platform.

What's inside

• Introduction to the PI Translator
• Enabling the PI Translator
• Anatomy of a PI Command
• Translation Format
• Keyword Attributes
• Translation Attributes
• Customizing Translations

Frequently asked questions

Which firmware versions include the PI Translator?

The oscilloscopes come equipped with this translator in firmware versions v1.30 and higher.

What is the default file location for the Compatibility File on Windows?

The default location when running Windows is C:\Users\Public\Tektronix\TekScope\PICompatibility\.

How do you enable the PI Translator using a command?

You can activate it by sending the PI command COMPatibility:ENABLE 1.