AutoLab: Automated Measurement System

AutoLab is an automated measurement system built with Python and the Pymeasure library. It is designed to simplify and automate the experimental workflow for characterizing physical properties of materials, such as voltage-temperature dependence. The system provides a unified graphical user interface (GUI) to control multiple instruments, execute pre-defined experimental sequences, and log data automatically.

✨ Features

• Graphical User Interface (GUI): Built with PyMeasure and PyQt for a user-friendly experience, featuring real-time plotting of experimental data.
• Multi-Instrument Control: Simultaneously controls temperature controllers (e.g., TC290, Tmon8), a Keithley 2182 Nanovoltmeter, and custom devices via serial communication.
• Automated Experiment Sequencing: Define a series of setpoints (e.g., different temperatures and hold times) in a simple text file (sequence.txt) for unattended, automated measurements.
• Flexible Configuration: Easily configure instrument addresses, communication ports, and other experimental parameters through the GUI or in the code.
• Automatic Data Logging: Experimental data (time, temperature, voltage, etc.) is automatically saved to .csv files for easy post-processing and analysis.
• Extensible: The modular code structure makes it straightforward to add support for new instruments or measurement procedures.

🛠️ Getting Started

Before running the project, ensure you have the necessary Python libraries and hardware drivers installed.

1. Prerequisites

• Python: Python 3.11 or higher is recommended.
• Hardware Drivers:
  • NI-VISA: To communicate with instruments via GPIB or ASRL (VISA Serial), you must install the NI-VISA driver.
  • Serial Port Drivers: If you are using a USB-to-Serial adapter, ensure the appropriate drivers (e.g., CH340, FTDI) are installed.

2. Installation

Clone this repository and install the required Python packages using pip:

git clone <your-repository-url>
cd AutoLab
pip install pymeasure pyvisa pyqt5 pyserial

🚀 Usage

1. Connect Hardware

• Connect the temperature controller, Keithley 2182 nanovoltmeter, and the serial device to your computer.
• Use a tool like NI MAX to identify and note the VISA address for each instrument (e.g., GPIB::1, ASRL5::INSTR) and the COM port for the serial device (e.g., COM4).

2. Configure Parameters

• Instrument Addresses: Open app.py and modify the default values for the parameters in the OverallProcedure class to match your setup:

  • addr_tempContr: The VISA address of your temperature controller.
  • addr_2182: The VISA address of the Keithley 2182.
  • addr_port: The port name of your serial device.

• Experiment Sequence (Optional):

  • Edit the sequence.txt file to define your automated measurement sequence.
  • The format consists of one parameter sequence per line:

    - "Temperature", "[270, 250, 210, 150, 77]"
    - "Hold Time", "[10, 15, 5, 10, 20]"
    

    This sequence will run 5 experiments: the first at 270 K with a 10s hold time, the second at 250 K with a 15s hold time, and so on.

3. Run the Application

Navigate to the project directory in your terminal and run the main script:

python app.py

4. Operating the GUI

1. In the Procedure Inputs panel on the left, verify or update the instrument addresses and other settings.
2. In the Sequencer panel, you can load, edit, or clear the experiment sequence.
3. Click the Browse button to set the desired path and filename for the output data file.
4. Click the Queue button to add the configured experiment to the run queue.
5. Click the Run button to start the measurement.
6. The plot windows on the right will display real-time data for temperature and voltage versus time.
7. Upon completion, the data will be saved to the specified .csv file.

📁 Project Structure

AutoLab/
├── app.py                      # Main application script with procedure and GUI logic
├── sequence.txt                # Default experiment sequence configuration file
├── OverallProcedure_dock_layout.json # GUI dock layout configuration
├── measurements/               # Default directory for measurement data (create if needed)
└── README.md                   # This README file

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! If you have suggestions for improvements or want to add new features, please feel free to:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch
3. Commit your changes
4. Push to the branch
5. Open a Pull Request

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.