Simple SCPI Part 2: Automated Testing Using Python & GradientOne

 GradientOne's approach to test automation provides a simple way to implement a global test solution for your organization.  One of the key design tenets enabling this capability is an API-First philosophy.  This provides a simple and consistent interface to our instrument/DUT programming, data acquisition, waveform visualization, and analytical features.  

This also helps customers use existing scripts and test programs they are currently using to test hardware, while also using GradientOne for data acquisition, search capabilities, and analysis.  This post will provide an example of how to use the open source SCPI Runner provided by GradientOne to control multiple instruments, while storing the results on GradientOne's platform.  Though this example uses the SCPI Runner which is written in Python, customers can use their own scripts, written in any language, to achieve the same results.

1)  Setup:  The function generator on the Tek MDO3012 is connected to Channel 4 on the RIGOL DS1054Z.  

2.  Script outline:  This script will configure a Rigol 1054Z oscilloscope to trigger and acquire a signal on channel 4.  The signal is a sine wave created by a Tektronix MDO3012 Function Generator.  A few details about the script:

• identity string (e.g. TCPIP::192.168.5.2)  : provides the addressing for the instruments
• SCPI commands (e.g. :CHANnel1:DISPlay Off):  instructions for the instruments
• GradientOne provides abstracted commands for commonly used instrument features such as acquiring screenshots, waveforms, etc.  This is so users don't need to research the instrument specific commands for a variety of instruments.  These commands start with a 'G1', see below for more detail:
  • G1:FetchScreenshot: acquires the screenshot of the specific instrument and stores it to the computer running the script
  • G1:PostScreenshot: uploads the screenshot to the GradientOne cloud
  • G1:FetchWaveform: acquires the waveform and stores it to the computer running the script
  • G1:PostWaveform:  uploads the waveform to the GradientOne cloud

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Example Script

3.  Run the script:  

Terminal output

4.  View the results:  When the script runs, it provides the user with links to the screenshots and waveforms that are stored on the GradientOne cloud:

​Screenshot:  
2019-08-20 11:45:06 :: [ INFO ] You can view the result at: https://gradientone-acme.appspot.com/results/R6154227045793447

Waveform:
2019-08-20 11:45:12 :: [ INFO ] You can view the result at: https://gradientone-acme.appspot.com/results/R9283269107066087

This is just one example of how to combine the use of your existing test automation scripts with GradientOne's cloud platform for storing results, collaboration, and visualization.  Documentation is available here if you'd like to learn more about the analytical features that can be used for test results that are stored on GradientOne's servers.

If you are interested in seeing how your own scripts might work with GradientOne's cloud platform, click below to get started for your free trial.

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