Real World Instrumentation with Python

Applications Overview

Let’s take a quick tour of some real-world examples of computer-based instrumentation applications. Please bear in mind that these examples are intended to show what one can do with automated instrumentation, not as specific, detailed examples of how to do something. In later chapters we will get into the specifics of interfaces, control protocols, and software algorithms.

Electronics Test Instrumentation

In an electronics laboratory, or even a well-equipped hobbyist’s workshop, it wouldn’t be unusual to encounter oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, frequency meters, signal generators, and other such devices. While these are useful devices in their own right, when incorporated into an automated system they can become even more useful.

In order to use a piece of test equipment in an automated setup, there must be some type of control or acquisition interface available. Many modern instruments incorporate USB, Ethernet, GPIB, RS-232, or a combination of these (these interfaces are examined in Chapters 7 and 11). In some cases, they are standard features; in other cases, the functionality must be ordered as a separate option when the instrument is purchased.

Figure 1-9 shows a simple arrangement for driving a device (the unit under test, or UUT) with a signal while controlling its DC power source, and acquiring measurement data in the form of logic analyzer traces and digital multimeter (DMM) readings.

The simple setup shown in Figure 1-9 has one instrument connected as ...