pico-python

This is a Python 2.7+ library for the Pico Scope. It uses the provided DLL for actual communications with the instrument. There have been a few examples around, but this one tries to improve on them via:

• Subclass instrument-specific stuff, so can support more families
• Use exceptions to raise errors, and gives you nice english error messages (copied from PS Manual)
• Provide higher-level functions (e.g. just setup timebase, function deals with instrument-specific limitations)
• Supports both Windows and Linux

System has support for:

• PS6000
• PS5000A Class (PicoScope 5242A/5243A/5244A/5442A/5443A/5444A/5242B/5244B/5442B/5443B/5444B)
• PS3000 Class (PicoScope 3204/3205/3206/3224/3424/3425)
• PS3000A Class (PicoScope 3204A/3204B/3205A/3205B/3206A/3206B/3207A/3207B/3204/3205/3206/3404A/3404B/3405A/3405A/3406A/3406B)
• PS2000 Class (PicoScope 2104/2105/2202/2203/2204/2205/2204A/2205A)
• PS2000A Class (PicoScope 2206/2206A/2206B/2207/2207A/2207B/2208/2208A/2208B/2205A MSO/2206B MSO/2207B MSO/2208B MSO/2405A/2406B/2407B/2408B)

Note the 'A' series covers a different ground than the non-A series! Check the programming manuals posted at http://www.picotech.com/document/ for details.

Getting DLLs

You will require the PicoScope DLLs for this package to work. The easiest method is to install the latest PicoScope software or SDK from https://www.picotech.com/downloads .

Installation Information from PyPI

You can install the program with a simple:

pip install picoscope

You will require the DLLs (described above).

Installation Information from GIT

If you will be getting updated code from git, use git clone to put the directory somewhere. Then do the following to generate a link to your git directory:

python setup.py develop

If you want the normal installation (e.g. copies files to Python installation) use:

python setup.py install

Additional Installation Information for Linux

Install the PicoScope Beta for Linux version of PicoScope as describe under Getting DLL's (above). Currently this is the only way to install the shared libraries (SDK)

Install pico-python using either method described above.

Once you have PicoScope running you need to add your login account to the pico group in order to access the USB. The examples will crash if you don't have permission to use the USB. This is true for use of the shared libraries in general, even if you're not using pico-python.

useradd -G pico <username>

Finally, you need to log in again for the group change to pick up:

su <username>

Additional Installation Information for Mac OSX

You either want to add this everytime before you start python or ipython, but I think it is best to add this line to .bash_profile (or the Mac Equivalent ????).

export DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH=$DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH:/Applications/PicoScope6.app/Contents/Resources/lib

See Issue 80 for more information on how this was found. Unfortunately, I don't have a Mac so I can't test this for myself. Feel free to create an Issue so that we can update these instructions.

You should also add yourself to the pico group so that your user has access to the picoscope as a USB device

# Create the new pico group :
sudo dseditgroup -o create pico
# Add the current user to the pico group :
sudo dseditgroup -o edit -a $USER -t user pico

Additional Instructions for installs using Anaconda/Conda

Seems like Anaconda has an issue with ctypes. See the comment here imdatacenters says to:

If you are using a special version of Python [like Anaconda] and you can't fix it. Navigate to line 362 of lib/ctypes/init.py and change it to: self._handle = _dlopen(str(self._name), mode)

Driver woes

If you are having issues installing the driver, you can try to install the original drivers that came with your CD, then upgrading as mentionned in Issue #103. As always, try installing, then rebooting your computer. I would also suggest trying to run Picoscope's included graphical interface to ensure that your scope is working.

Similar Projects

PicoPy uses Cython to interface with a PicoScope 3000A https://github.com/hgomersall/PicoPy

Authors, Copyright, and Thanks

pico-python is Copyright (C) 2013 By:

• Colin O'Flynn [email protected]
• Mark Harfouche [email protected]

All rights reserved. See LICENSE.md for license terms.

Inspired by Patrick Carle's code at http://www.picotech.com/support/topic11239.html which was adapted from http://www.picotech.com/support/topic4926.html

Contributing

1. Fork.
2. Make a new branch.
3. Commit to your new branch.
4. Add yourself to the authors/acknowledgements (whichever you find appropriate).
5. Submit a pull request.

Developer notes

To update versions, make sure to update the version tag in a few locations

1. setup.py
   • version = X.Y.Z
   • download_url = [...]/X.Y.Z
2. picoscope/__init__.py
   • __version__ = "X.Y.Z"

Once the versions have been updated, commit and create a new tag with git

git commit
git tag -a X.Y.Z -m "Short descripted message"

Push the tags to the repo

git push origin X.Y.Z

or to push all tags

git push --tags