A high-level Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) for RF test stations. Stop wrestling with PyVISA boilerplate — write test logic, not connection code.
RF test bench automation is painful. Every instrument brand has its own quirks, SCPI dialects vary, and testing your scripts requires physical hardware on your desk. Instrumation fixes all three:
- One API for everything — same code works on Keysight, Rigol, and any other supported brand
- Digital Twin mode — develop and debug offline with simulated instruments that emit realistic Gaussian noise
- Smart auto-detection — scans connected devices and loads the right driver automatically, no manual config
Instrumation includes a built-in DataBroadcaster for streaming live readings over UDP. This allows you to build real-time dashboards or loggers with zero external dependencies.
- Zero-lag — UDP delivery doesn't block your test flow.
- Zero-config — Broadcast to any host/port as JSON packets.
- Zero-dep — Built-in with Python standard library.
See examples/broadcast_demo.py and examples/dashboard.py for usage.
- Auto-Discovery — scans VISA and Serial buses, identifies what's connected
- Smart Factory — detects instrument brand and loads the correct driver
- Digital Twin — full simulation mode for offline development and CI pipelines
- Unified API — write once, run on any supported hardware
- Built-in CSV logging — test results logged out of the box
pip install instrumationOr install from source:
git clone https://github.com/abduznik/instrumation.git
cd instrumation
pip install .Windows users: You may need NI-VISA or Keysight IO Libraries Suite for physical hardware access.
import instrumation
sa = instrumation.connect_instrument("USB0::0x2A8D::...")
peak_power = sa.get_peak_value()
print(f"Peak Power: {peak_power} dBm")# Linux/macOS
export INSTRUMATION_MODE=SIM
# Windows PowerShell
$env:INSTRUMATION_MODE="SIM"from instrumation.factory import get_driver
driver = get_driver("DUMMY_ADDRESS")
driver.connect()
print(driver.get_id())
print(f"Voltage: {driver.measure_voltage(1)} V")| Command | Description |
|---|---|
scan() |
Lists all connected Serial and VISA devices |
connect() |
Auto-connects to a generic Test Station (Box + Instrument) |
connect_instrument(addr) |
Connects to a specific instrument with auto driver detection |
| Platform | Status |
|---|---|
| Windows | Supported |
| Linux | Supported |
| Termux (Android) | Supported |
| macOS | Supported |
# Install in editable mode (required for tests to pick up local changes)
pip install -e .
# This project uses pyproject.toml (PEP 517/518). No setup.py is required.
# Install test dependencies
pip install pytest flake8
# Run tests (simulation mode)
export INSTRUMATION_MODE=SIM # Linux/macOS
pytest- Language: Python 3.7+
- Libraries: PyVISA, PySerial
- Architecture: Smart Factory Pattern, Polymorphism
- Standards: SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments)
Instrumation is maintained in my spare time alongside a full-time RF technician job. If it's saved you hours of boilerplate or made your test bench easier to automate, consider supporting:
Commercial support or custom driver development? Reach out via GitHub Issues or Discussions.
PRs and driver contributions are welcome. Open an issue first to discuss larger changes.
See LICENSE for details.