1. Checking Python installation

Checking Python installation

Open command prompt:

on Windows: press Win+R, type cmd, press Enter. You will see a window where you can type commands:

In command prompt type

python --version

or

python3 --version

followed by Enter to check if python is correctly installed. You should get response indicating installed python version, like this:

Python 3.11.4

On Windows, if Microsoft Store is open when you execute “python” command or the command simply gives no response:

On Windows 11 go to Start Menu → Settings → Apps → Advanced app settings → App execution aliases and disable “python” and “python3” aliases.

On Windows 10 open Start Menu → Settings (“Gear” icon) → Applications → Applications and functions → Link “Application execution aliases”. Disable “python” and “python3” items.

2. PyVISA library installation

Open source PyVISA library can be used for interaction with NI VISA software which, in turn, provides functionality required to support communication with measurement instruments using protocols such as HiSLIP.

To install PyVisa library open command prompt and type:

pip install pyvisa

If you receive error message saying “’pip’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.“, then ensure that Python is correctly installed.

Check if communication with Pendulum CNT-104S device is possible from python (at the very basic level):

  • 1. Ensure your instrument is connected to the network.
  • 2. Start Python in interactive mode by typing in command prompt: python

In python command prompt type the following lines replacing 192.168.0.25 with the actual IP address of your instrument (can be checked in Settings → User options → Network → Ethernet IP address):

import pyvisa as visa
rm = visa.ResourceManager()
instr = rm.open_resource('TCPIP::192.168.0.25::hislip0::INSTR')
instr.query('*IDN?')

The last line executes “*IDN?” query which asks the instrument for identification information. You should get response from the instrument like this:

'Pendulum, CNT-104S, 607017, v1.2.0 2023-07-13\n'

  • 4. Type the following to disconnect from the instrument and exit python:
instr.close()
quit()