Python based Hardware Abstraction Library for interfacing with Lab Equipment and custom devices
PyVisa requires a backend VISA manager / library to perform VISA commands. By default this limits the library to be run on a windows machine and for the the NI VISA library and to be configured correctly.
Keysight connection expert provides a Windows driver for our GPIB -> USB adapters necessary to communicate with our laser controller.
PyVisa offers a pure python based backend that has not been extensivly tested with this library but may prove effective going forward.
~todo
This project was designed to use a virtual environment to manage dependencies. First, ensure the latest python is installed on your system.
To install the dependencies, you can use the following commands:
Create a virtual environment
python -m venv lab_python_env
Activate the virtual environment
This can differ depending on OS and terminal / shell.
The following command will work for a Windows OS and Powershell terminal:
source lab_python_env/bin/Activate.ps1
Install the dependencies
pip install -r dependencies.txt
Update Dependencies file Warning, running this command will overwrite the current dependencies file with EVERY python package found in the current running python enviornment. Make sure the correct virtual enviornment is setup before updating.
pip freeeze > dependencies.txt
This reads in a DAVLL log and graphs the data, where you can control recorded current and resistance. This is useful for observing how the data changes as the values change.
- Python 3.8+
- Visa Backend
- NI - VISA
- PyVisa-Py
- USB → GPIB Driver
- Keysight Connection Expert