inst-ctrl

Python interfaces for controlling Fluke digital multimeters, Siglent arbitrary waveform generators, and Rigol power supplies via PyVISA.

Overview

This package provides high-level Python interfaces for instrument control:

Fluke 45 and Fluke 8845A/8846A digital multimeters
Siglent SDG2042X arbitrary waveform generator
Rigol DP800 series programmable power supplies

All instruments support multiple connection methods (GPIB, USB, Ethernet, RS-232) and provide type-safe, well-documented APIs with comprehensive error handling.

Installation

Requirements

Python >= 3.13
NI-VISA or PyVISA-py backend
uv package manager (recommended)

Install with uv

uv pip install -e .

Install with pip

pip install -e .

Optional Dependencies

For pint unit support with Siglent instruments:

uv pip install -e ".[units]"

Quick Start

Fluke 45 Digital Multimeter

from inst_ctrl import Fluke45, Func, Rate

# Connect via GPIB
with Fluke45(gpib_address=3) as dmm:
    dmm.primary_function = Func.VDC
    dmm.rate = Rate.FAST
    voltage = dmm.primary()
    print(f"Voltage: {voltage} V")

Fluke 8845A/8846A Digital Multimeter

from inst_ctrl import Fluke88, Func

# Connect via Ethernet
with Fluke88(ip_address='192.168.1.100') as dmm:
    dmm.primary_function = Func.OHMS
    resistance = dmm.primary()
    print(f"Resistance: {resistance} Ohms")

Siglent SDG2042X Waveform Generator

from inst_ctrl import SiglentSDG2042X

# Auto-discover and connect
with SiglentSDG2042X() as sig_gen:
    sig_gen.channel = 1
    sig_gen.waveform_type = 'SINE'
    sig_gen.frequency = 1000
    sig_gen.amplitude = 1.0
    sig_gen.output_state = True

Rigol DP800 Power Supply

from inst_ctrl import RigolDP800, Channel

# Connect via Ethernet
with RigolDP800(ip_address='192.168.1.100') as psu:
    psu.channel = Channel.CH1
    psu.voltage = 5.0
    psu.current = 1.0
    psu.output = True

Connection Methods

Fluke Instruments

GPIB Connection:

dmm = Fluke45(gpib_address=3)
dmm.connect()

Ethernet Connection (Fluke 88xx only):

dmm = Fluke88(ip_address='192.168.1.100')
dmm.connect()

Serial Connection:

# Windows
dmm = Fluke45(serial_port='COM1')

# Linux/Mac
dmm = Fluke45(serial_port='/dev/ttyUSB0')
dmm.connect()

Direct Resource Name:

dmm = Fluke45(resource_name='GPIB0::3::INSTR')
dmm.connect()

Auto-Discovery:

# Automatically finds first Fluke instrument on GPIB bus
dmm = Fluke45()
dmm.connect()

Siglent Instruments

Auto-Discovery:

# Automatically finds first Siglent SDG instrument
sig_gen = SiglentSDG2042X()
sig_gen.connect()

Direct Resource Name:

sig_gen = SiglentSDG2042X(resource_name='USB0::0x0483::0x7540::SDG2042X12345678::INSTR')
sig_gen.connect()

Rigol Instruments

Ethernet Connection:

psu = RigolDP800(ip_address='192.168.1.100')
psu.connect()

USB Connection:

psu = RigolDP800(usb_serial='DP8C12345678')
psu.connect()

GPIB Connection:

psu = RigolDP800(gpib_address=5)
psu.connect()

Direct Resource Name:

psu = RigolDP800(resource_name='TCPIP0::192.168.1.100::INSTR')
psu.connect()

Auto-Discovery:

# Automatically finds first Rigol DP800 instrument
psu = RigolDP800()
psu.connect()

Fluke 45 Examples

Basic Voltage Measurement

from inst_ctrl import Fluke45, Func

with Fluke45(gpib_address=3) as dmm:
    dmm.primary_function = Func.VDC
    dmm.auto_range = True
    voltage = dmm.primary()
    print(f"DC Voltage: {voltage} V")

Dual Display Measurement

from inst_ctrl import Fluke45, Func, Func2

with Fluke45() as dmm:
    dmm.primary_function = Func.VDC
    dmm.secondary_function = Func2.FREQ
    voltage, frequency = dmm.both()
    print(f"Voltage: {voltage} V, Frequency: {frequency} Hz")

Manual Range and Rate Control

from inst_ctrl import Fluke45, Func, Rate

with Fluke45() as dmm:
    dmm.primary_function = Func.OHMS
    dmm.auto_range = False
    dmm.range = 3
    dmm.rate = Rate.SLOW
    resistance = dmm.primary()
    print(f"Resistance: {resistance} Ohms")

Relative Measurement Mode

with Fluke45() as dmm:
    dmm.primary_function = Func.VDC
    dmm.relative_mode = True
    dmm.set_relative_offset(1.0)
    relative_voltage = dmm.primary()
    print(f"Relative to 1.0V: {relative_voltage} V")

Compare Mode

with Fluke45() as dmm:
    dmm.primary_function = Func.VDC
    dmm.compare_mode = True
    dmm.compare_hi = 10.0
    dmm.compare_lo = 5.0
    result = dmm.compare_result
    print(f"Compare result: {result}")  # 'HI', 'LO', or 'PASS'

Trigger Control

from inst_ctrl import Fluke45, TriggerMode

with Fluke45() as dmm:
    dmm.trigger_mode = TriggerMode.EXTERNAL
    dmm.trigger()
    measurement = dmm.primary()

Fluke 8845A/8846A Examples

Basic Measurement

from inst_ctrl import Fluke88, Func

with Fluke88(ip_address='192.168.1.100') as dmm:
    dmm.primary_function = Func.VDC
    dmm.auto_range = True
    voltage = dmm.primary()
    print(f"Voltage: {voltage} V")

Measurement Rate Control

from inst_ctrl import Fluke88, Func, Rate

with Fluke88(gpib_address=1) as dmm:
    dmm.primary_function = Func.OHMS
    dmm.rate = Rate.FAST
    resistance = dmm.primary()

Siglent SDG2042X Examples

Basic Sine Wave Generation

from inst_ctrl import SiglentSDG2042X

with SiglentSDG2042X() as sig_gen:
    sig_gen.channel = 1
    sig_gen.waveform_type = 'SINE'
    sig_gen.frequency = 1000
    sig_gen.amplitude = 2.0
    sig_gen.offset = 0.5
    sig_gen.output_state = True

Configure Waveform with All Parameters

with SiglentSDG2042X() as sig_gen:
    sig_gen.channel = 1
    sig_gen.configure_waveform(
        waveform_type='SINE',
        frequency=1000,
        amplitude=2.0,
        offset=0.5,
        phase=45
    )
    sig_gen.output_state = True

Square Wave with Duty Cycle

with SiglentSDG2042X() as sig_gen:
    sig_gen.channel = 1
    sig_gen.waveform_type = 'SQUARE'
    sig_gen.frequency = 10000
    sig_gen.amplitude = 3.3
    sig_gen.set_duty_cycle(25.0)
    sig_gen.output_state = True

Pulse Waveform

with SiglentSDG2042X() as sig_gen:
    sig_gen.channel = 1
    sig_gen.waveform_type = 'PULSE'
    sig_gen.frequency = 1000
    sig_gen.amplitude = 5.0
    sig_gen.set_pulse_width(1e-3)
    sig_gen.set_rise_time(1e-6)
    sig_gen.set_fall_time(1e-6)
    sig_gen.output_state = True

Ramp Waveform with Symmetry

with SiglentSDG2042X() as sig_gen:
    sig_gen.channel = 1
    sig_gen.waveform_type = 'RAMP'
    sig_gen.frequency = 500
    sig_gen.amplitude = 2.0
    sig_gen.set_symmetry(75.0)
    sig_gen.output_state = True

Using Pint Units

from inst_ctrl import SiglentSDG2042X

sig_gen = SiglentSDG2042X(unit_mode='pint')
sig_gen.connect()
sig_gen.channel = 1
sig_gen.frequency = 1000

freq = sig_gen.frequency
print(f"Frequency: {freq}")  # Prints as pint Quantity

Load Impedance Configuration

with SiglentSDG2042X() as sig_gen:
    sig_gen.channel = 1
    sig_gen.load_impedance = 'HiZ'
    sig_gen.load_impedance = 50

Arbitrary Waveform Selection

with SiglentSDG2042X() as sig_gen:
    waveforms = sig_gen.list_waveforms()
    for wv in waveforms:
        print(f"Index {wv['index']}: {wv['name']}")

    sig_gen.channel = 1
    sig_gen.waveform_type = 'ARB'
    sig_gen.select_arbitrary_waveform(index=1)

Rigol DP800 Examples

Basic Power Supply Control

from inst_ctrl import RigolDP800, Channel

with RigolDP800(ip_address='192.168.1.100') as psu:
    psu.channel = Channel.CH1
    psu.voltage = 5.0
    psu.current = 1.0
    psu.output = True

Set Voltage and Current Together

with RigolDP800() as psu:
    psu.apply(voltage=12.0, current=2.0, channel=Channel.CH1)
    psu.output_on(Channel.CH1)

Measure Output Parameters

with RigolDP800() as psu:
    psu.channel = Channel.CH1
    voltage = psu.measured_voltage
    current = psu.measured_current
    power = psu.measured_power
    print(f"V: {voltage}V, I: {current}A, P: {power}W")

Measure All Parameters at Once

with RigolDP800() as psu:
    voltage, current, power = psu.measure_all(Channel.CH1)
    print(f"V: {voltage}V, I: {current}A, P: {power}W")

Multi-Channel Control

with RigolDP800() as psu:
    # Configure and enable CH1
    psu.apply(voltage=5.0, current=1.0, channel=Channel.CH1)
    psu.output_on(Channel.CH1)

    # Configure and enable CH2
    psu.apply(voltage=12.0, current=2.0, channel=Channel.CH2)
    psu.output_on(Channel.CH2)

Over-Voltage and Over-Current Protection

with RigolDP800() as psu:
    psu.channel = Channel.CH1
    psu.set_ovp(15.0)  # Set OVP to 15V
    psu.enable_ovp(True)  # Enable OVP

    psu.set_ocp(2.5)  # Set OCP to 2.5A
    psu.enable_ocp(True)  # Enable OCP

Query Settings

with RigolDP800() as psu:
    voltage, current = psu.get_settings(Channel.CH1)
    print(f"CH1 settings: {voltage}V, {current}A")

API Reference

Fluke 45

Connection

Fluke45(gpib_address=None, serial_port=None, resource_name=None, timeout=5000)
connect() - Establish connection
disconnect() - Close connection
check_connection() - Verify communication

Measurement Functions

primary_function - Set/get primary measurement function (Func enum)
secondary_function - Set/get secondary measurement function (Func2 enum, Fluke 45 only)
primary() - Trigger and read primary measurement
secondary() - Trigger and read secondary measurement (Fluke 45 only)
both() - Trigger and read both displays (Fluke 45 only)
primary_value - Read current primary value without triggering
secondary_value - Read current secondary value without triggering

Configuration

auto_range - Enable/disable auto range
range - Set manual range (1-7)
rate - Set measurement rate (Rate enum: SLOW, MEDIUM, FAST)
trigger_mode - Set trigger mode (TriggerMode enum)
trigger() - Send trigger command

Special Modes

relative_mode - Enable/disable relative measurement
set_relative_offset(offset) - Set relative offset value
db_mode - Enable/disable dB measurement
set_db_reference(impedance) - Set dB reference impedance
hold_mode - Enable/disable hold mode
min_max_mode(mode) - Set min/max tracking mode
compare_mode - Enable/disable compare mode
compare_hi - Set compare high limit
compare_lo - Set compare low limit
compare_result - Get compare result

System Commands

reset() - Reset instrument to defaults
clear_status() - Clear status registers
self_test() - Execute self-test
read_status_byte() - Read status byte
read_event_status() - Read event status register

Fluke 8845A/8846A

Fluke88 inherits from Fluke45 and provides the same interface. Key differences:

Supports Ethernet connections via ip_address parameter
Uses SCPI commands internally
Does not support secondary display (Func2)
secondary() and both() methods raise exceptions

Siglent SDG2042X

Connection

SiglentSDG2042X(resource_name=None, timeout=5000, unit_mode='tuple')
connect() - Establish connection
disconnect() - Close connection
check_connection() - Verify communication

Channel Control

channel - Set active channel (1 or 2)

Waveform Parameters

waveform_type - Set/get waveform type ('SINE', 'SQUARE', 'RAMP', 'PULSE', 'NOISE', 'ARB', 'DC', 'PRBS', 'IQ')
frequency - Set/get frequency
amplitude - Set/get amplitude
offset - Set/get DC offset
phase - Set/get phase

Waveform-Specific Parameters

get_duty_cycle() / set_duty_cycle(duty) - For SQUARE/PULSE waveforms
get_symmetry() / set_symmetry(symmetry) - For RAMP waveforms
get_pulse_width() / set_pulse_width(width) - For PULSE waveforms
get_rise_time() / set_rise_time(rise_time) - For PULSE waveforms
get_fall_time() / set_fall_time(fall_time) - For PULSE waveforms

Output Control

output_state - Enable/disable output
load_impedance - Set/get load impedance ('HiZ' or numeric value)

Convenience Methods

configure_waveform(waveform_type, frequency, amplitude, offset=0, phase=0) - Configure all parameters at once
list_waveforms() - List available arbitrary waveforms
select_arbitrary_waveform(index=None, name=None) - Select arbitrary waveform
get_all_parameters() - Get raw parameter string

Parameter Limits

limits - ParameterLimits object for validation
- limits.freq_min, limits.freq_max
- limits.amp_min, limits.amp_max
- limits.offset_min, limits.offset_max
- limits.phase_min, limits.phase_max
- limits.reset_to_defaults()

Rigol DP800

Connection

RigolDP800(resource_name=None, ip_address=None, usb_serial=None, gpib_address=None, timeout=5000)
connect() - Establish connection
disconnect() - Close connection
check_connection() - Verify communication

Channel Control

channel - Set/get active channel (Channel enum, string, or int)

Voltage and Current Control

voltage - Set/get voltage setting for active channel (volts)
current - Set/get current limit for active channel (amperes)
apply(voltage, current, channel=None) - Set both voltage and current for specified channel
get_settings(channel=None) - Query voltage and current settings (returns tuple)

Measurement

measured_voltage - Measure actual output voltage for active channel
measured_current - Measure actual output voltage
measured_power - Measure actual output power (watts)
power - Convenience alias for measured_power
measure_all(channel=None) - Measure voltage, current, and power (returns tuple)

Output Control

output - Set/get output state (True/False or 'ON'/'OFF')
output_on(channel=None) - Enable output for specified channel
output_off(channel=None) - Disable output for specified channel

Protection

set_ovp(value, channel=None) - Set over-voltage protection level
set_ocp(value, channel=None) - Set over-current protection level
enable_ovp(state=True, channel=None) - Enable/disable over-voltage protection
enable_ocp(state=True, channel=None) - Enable/disable over-current protection

System Commands

reset() - Reset instrument to factory defaults
clear_status() - Clear status registers
self_test() - Execute self-test (returns True if passed)

Enums and Constants

Fluke Enums

Func - Primary measurement functions: VDC, VAC, VACDC, ADC, AAC, OHMS, FREQ, DIODE
Func2 - Secondary measurement functions (Fluke 45 only): VDC, VAC, ADC, AAC, OHMS, FREQ, DIODE, CLEAR
Rate - Measurement rates: SLOW, MEDIUM, FAST
TriggerMode - Trigger modes: INTERNAL, EXTERNAL, EXTERNAL_NO_DELAY, EXTERNAL_DELAY, EXTERNAL_REAR_NO_DELAY, EXTERNAL_REAR_DELAY

Siglent Waveform Types

'SINE', 'SQUARE', 'RAMP', 'PULSE', 'NOISE', 'ARB', 'DC', 'PRBS', 'IQ'

Rigol Enums

Channel - Power supply channels: CH1, CH2, CH3

Error Handling

All instruments raise specific exception types:

Fluke Exceptions

FlukeError - Base exception
FlukeConnectionError - Connection failures
FlukeValidationError - Invalid parameter values
FlukeCommandError - Command execution failures

Siglent Exceptions

SiglentError - Base exception
SiglentConnectionError - Connection failures
SiglentValidationError - Invalid parameter values
SiglentCommandError - Command execution failures

Rigol Exceptions

RigolError - Base exception
RigolConnectionError - Connection failures
RigolValidationError - Invalid parameter values
RigolCommandError - Command execution failures

Example Error Handling

from inst_ctrl import Fluke45, FlukeConnectionError, FlukeValidationError

try:
    dmm = Fluke45(gpib_address=3)
    dmm.connect()
    dmm.primary_function = 'INVALID'
except FlukeConnectionError as e:
    print(f"Connection failed: {e}")
except FlukeValidationError as e:
    print(f"Invalid parameter: {e}")

Context Manager Usage

All instruments support context manager syntax for automatic connection management:

from inst_ctrl import Fluke45, SiglentSDG2042X

# Automatically connects on entry, disconnects on exit
with Fluke45(gpib_address=3) as dmm:
    voltage = dmm.primary()

with SiglentSDG2042X() as sig_gen:
    sig_gen.frequency = 1000
    sig_gen.output_state = True

with RigolDP800(ip_address='192.168.1.100') as psu:
    psu.voltage = 5.0
    psu.output = True

Type Safety

All functions are fully typed with type hints. The package uses strict typing practices:

Functions must have complete type annotations
Variables are typed only when ambiguous
Type narrowing ensures safe instrument access after connection verification

Requirements

Python >= 3.13
pyvisa >= 1.16.1
NI-VISA or PyVISA-py backend
pint >= 0.25.2 (optional, for unit support)

Development

Project Structure

inst_ctrl/
├── src/
│   └── inst_ctrl/
│       ├── __init__.py
│       ├── fluke.py      # Fluke 45 and 8845A/8846A interfaces
│       ├── siglent.py    # Siglent SDG2042X interface
│       └── rigol.py      # Rigol DP800 series power supply interface
├── pyproject.toml
└── README.md

Building

uv build

License

[Add your license information here]

Contributing

[Add contribution guidelines here]

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
Latest commit History 8 Commits
docs		docs
src/inst_ctrl		src/inst_ctrl
.gitignore		.gitignore
.python-version		.python-version
README.md		README.md
pyproject.toml		pyproject.toml
uv.lock		uv.lock

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inst-ctrl

Overview

Installation

Requirements

Install with uv

Install with pip

Optional Dependencies

Quick Start

Fluke 45 Digital Multimeter

Fluke 8845A/8846A Digital Multimeter

Siglent SDG2042X Waveform Generator

Rigol DP800 Power Supply

Connection Methods

Fluke Instruments

Siglent Instruments

Rigol Instruments

Fluke 45 Examples

Basic Voltage Measurement

Dual Display Measurement

Manual Range and Rate Control

Relative Measurement Mode

Compare Mode

Trigger Control

Fluke 8845A/8846A Examples

Basic Measurement

Measurement Rate Control

Siglent SDG2042X Examples

Basic Sine Wave Generation

Configure Waveform with All Parameters

Square Wave with Duty Cycle

Pulse Waveform

Ramp Waveform with Symmetry

Using Pint Units

Load Impedance Configuration

Arbitrary Waveform Selection

Rigol DP800 Examples

Basic Power Supply Control

Set Voltage and Current Together

Measure Output Parameters

Measure All Parameters at Once

Multi-Channel Control

Over-Voltage and Over-Current Protection

Query Settings

API Reference

Fluke 45

Connection

Measurement Functions

Configuration

Special Modes

System Commands

Fluke 8845A/8846A

Siglent SDG2042X

Connection

Channel Control

Waveform Parameters

Waveform-Specific Parameters

Output Control

Convenience Methods

Parameter Limits

Rigol DP800

Connection

Channel Control

Voltage and Current Control

Measurement

Output Control

Protection

System Commands

Enums and Constants

Fluke Enums

Siglent Waveform Types

Rigol Enums

Error Handling

Fluke Exceptions

Siglent Exceptions

Rigol Exceptions

Example Error Handling

Packages