Complex Data & Multi-Channel Support

Instrumation is designed to handle advanced RF measurements, including Vector Network Analysis (VNA) and Mixed Signal Oscilloscope (MSO) traces.

Complex (I/Q) Data

The MeasurementResult object supports complex numbers and numpy arrays. This is essential for Phase/Magnitude traces in VNAs.

Working with complex traces

with get_instrument(vna_addr, "VNA") as vna:
    # get_complex_trace returns a list of complex numbers
    res = vna.get_complex_trace("S21")

    for val in res.value:
        print(f"Real: {val.real}, Imag: {val.imag}")

Multi-Channel Measurements

Measurement results can now specify a channel or pod (for digital signals).

res = MeasurementResult(value=5.0, unit="V", channel=1)
print(res) # Output: 5.0 V [CH 1] (OK) @ ...

Oscilloscope Channel-Aware Measurements (v0.4.0)

All Oscilloscope drivers now expose channel-aware measurement methods:

with get_instrument(scope_addr, "SCOPE") as scope:
    # Measure on default channel (1)
    freq = scope.measure_frequency()
    duty = scope.measure_duty_cycle()
    vpp = scope.measure_v_peak_to_peak()

    # Measure on explicit channel
    freq_ch2 = scope.measure_frequency(channel=2)
    duty_ch2 = scope.measure_duty_cycle(channel=2)
    vpp_ch2 = scope.measure_v_peak_to_peak(channel=2)

This works on KeysightInfiniiVision, SiglentSDS, TektronixTDS, SimulatedOscilloscope, and ReplayDriver — all scope-type drivers respect the channel parameter.

NumPy Integration

If numpy is installed, MeasurementResult can store high-performance arrays directly in the value field. When converted to JSON (via to_json()), these arrays are automatically serialized to lists.

import numpy as np
trace = np.sin(np.linspace(0, 10, 100))
res = MeasurementResult(value=trace, unit="V")

# JSON output is ready for the VFP or data logging
print(res.to_json())