pylptlib

Package to control the Keithley 4200A-SCS parameter analyzer with Python. It uses Keithleys Linear Parametric Test Library (LPT) by wrapping the lptlib.dll using ctypes. The lptlib.dll is located on the parameter analyzer and will be automatically found when running pylptlib on the instrument. The library supports the most common commands for SMU and pulse units as well as commands for CVU cards.

pylptlib is a backend for the SweepMe! instrument drivers for the Keithley 4200-SCS.

The implementation is based on the documentation "4200A-LPT-907-01A_LPT_Dec_2020.pdf"

Install

The package can be installed using "pip install 'path_to_package'". Further, you need to install a 32 bit Python on the parameter analyzer as the lptlib.dll is 32 bit only.

Example

    from pylptlib import lpt, param
    
    lpt.initialize()  # needed to load the dll
    lpt.devint()
    instr_id = lpt.getinstid("PMU1")
    lpt.rpm_config(instr_id, 1, param.KI_RPM_PATHWAY, param.KI_RPM_PULSE)

Function names, arguments and return values

• All arguments are changed to lower case and have underscores in case an argument contained capital letters:

  • numSeq -> num_seq
  • SeqLoopCount -> seq_loop_count

• Functions with 'X' like forceX are wrapped as forcev or forcei.

• Pointer like arguments are omitted if they can be automatically created. Functions that are used to query values return the values of the buffer objects if possible. Otherwise, None is returned.

    # pointer like argument '*result' is not used
    # function returns the current
    current = lpt.intgi(instr_id)

• For exact use of pylptlib, please have a look at the implementation in src\pylptlib\lpt.py

• Please have a look at the pdf documentation of the LPT library to understand the meaning of each argument.

Remote control

Build the server executable

Create a local development environment. Run following commands in the directory of the repository. Adjust the paths to your python installation as necessary, and make sure to use a 32bit python version.

C:\Python39-32\python.exe -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt

Build the executable. Run following commands in the directory of the repository.

.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
.\tools\Build-Server.ps1

The server executable can now be found in the dist directory. There is also a default config file called 4200-Server.ini that contains the local IP-Address and Port the server is listening at:

Contact

Please email us at support@sweep-me.net for any queries. We can also add further functions on request.