instrumentcontrol

Instrument control, sometimes written as instrumentcontrol, refers to the software and hardware practice of operating measurement and test instruments by computer systems. It encompasses configuring instruments, triggering measurements, reading results, and coordinating multiple devices in an automated workflow. Common use areas include laboratories, manufacturing test stations, and research facilities.

Hardware interfaces include GPIB (IEEE 488), USBTMC over USB, RS-232/RS-485, and Ethernet-based interfaces used by LXI compliant devices. Modern instruments often support multiple interfaces. Communication typically relies on standardized command languages such as SCPI, which defines a text-based command set for configuring and querying instruments. For software architecture, VISA provides a vendor-independent API to access instruments through supported interfaces. IVI is a driver architecture that promotes interchangeable instrument drivers to ensure portability across instruments from the same class.

Control software and frameworks include LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python (via PyVISA and instrument-specific libraries), and commercial test executive tools. These environments send SCPI or vendor-specific commands, collect data, and automate sequences, including triggering, logging, and error handling.

Key concepts in instrument control include instrument drivers, resource strings or addresses, synchronization, timing, and error handling; calibration and self-tests; and data acquisition or streaming. Challenges include latency, clock skew, jitter, synchronization across devices, and maintaining compatibility as instruments evolve.

Standards and interoperability are supported by LXI for Ethernet-based instruments with built-in timing and triggering, SCPI as a common command language, VISA as the programming interface, and IVI drivers for standardization across instrument families.