ResistaMet GUI

A graphical user interface for the ResistaMet resistance measurement system.

Version: 1.0.0
Author: Brenden Ferland
Based on: ResistaMet v0.9.2

Overview

ResistaMet GUI is a PyQt-based graphical interface for the original ResistaMet resistance measurement system. It provides a user-friendly way to configure, run, and visualize resistance measurements through a Keithley measurement instrument, with all the functionality of the original command-line application now accessible through an intuitive graphical interface.

Features

• Real-time Data Visualization:

  • Live plotting of resistance measurements
  • Interactive matplotlib-based graph with zoom, pan, and export capabilities
  • Real-time display of min/max/avg statistics

• Multi-user Support:

  • Per-user configuration settings
  • User-specific data storage directories
  • Quick user switching

• Measurement Controls:

  • Start/pause/stop measurement functionality
  • "Mark maximum compression" button (with keyboard shortcut 'M')
  • Live status updates

• Configuration Options:

  • Measurement parameters (current, voltage compliance, sampling rate, etc.)
  • Display settings (plot colors, update intervals, buffer size)
  • File storage settings

• Equipment Integration:

  • Automatic GPIB device detection
  • 2-wire and 4-wire measurement modes
  • Configurable instrument settings

• Data Management:

  • Automatic data saving to CSV files
  • Configurable auto-save intervals
  • Plot export functionality

Installation

Requirements

• Python 3.6 or higher
• PyQt5
• PyVISA
• Matplotlib
• NumPy

Installation Steps

1. Install the required Python packages:

   pip install pyqt5 pyvisa pyvisa-py numpy matplotlib

2. Hardware-specific dependencies:

   Depending on your GPIB interface, you may need additional drivers:

   • For National Instruments GPIB interfaces: Install NI-VISA
   • For other GPIB adapters: Install appropriate drivers

3. Clone or download the ResistaMet GUI code

4. Run the application:

   python resistamet_gui.py

Usage Guide

Getting Started

1. Select or create a user:

   • At startup, you'll be prompted to select an existing user or create a new one
   • User-specific settings will be loaded automatically

2. Configure your measurement:

   • Enter a sample name
   • Confirm or adjust measurement settings via the "User Settings" button
   • Verify that the correct GPIB device is selected

3. Start a measurement:

   • Click "Start Measurement" to begin
   • Live resistance values will be displayed in the plot
   • The status area will show current operation information

During Measurement

• Marking Max Compression:

  • Click the "Mark Max Compression" button or press the 'M' key when maximum compression is reached
  • This event will be recorded in the data file

• Pause/Resume:

  • The "Pause" button temporarily halts data collection
  • Click "Resume" to continue

• Stopping:

  • Click "Stop Measurement" to end the measurement
  • Data will be automatically saved and the plot will remain visible

Data Management

• Data is automatically saved to CSV files in the configured data directory
• Each user has their own subdirectory for data storage
• Files are named with a timestamp, sample name, and measurement parameters
• The plot can be saved via File → Save Plot

Configuration Options

Measurement Settings

• Test Current: Current applied by the instrument (in Amperes)
• Voltage Compliance: Maximum allowed voltage (in Volts)
• Sampling Rate: Number of measurements per second (in Hz)
• Auto Range: Enable/disable automatic range selection
• NPLC: Number of power line cycles for integration
• Settling Time: Delay before measurements begin (in seconds)
• Measurement Type: 2-wire or 4-wire measurement
• GPIB Address: Address of the measurement instrument

Display Settings

• Enable Plot: Toggle real-time plotting
• Plot Update Interval: Time between plot updates (in milliseconds)
• Plot Color: Color of the resistance plot line
• Plot Figure Size: Width and height of the plot
• Buffer Size: Number of data points to keep in memory (unlimited by default)

File Settings

• Auto-save Interval: Time between automatic saves (in seconds)
• Data Directory: Base folder for data storage

File Structure

resistance_data/
├── username1/
│   ├── timestamp_samplename_R_2-wire_1.0mA.csv
│   └── ...
├── username2/
│   └── ...
└── ...

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. GPIB Connection Problems:

   • Ensure your GPIB interface is properly installed
   • Verify the correct GPIB address is configured
   • Check that the instrument is powered on and connected

2. PyVISA Errors:

   • Make sure you have the appropriate backend installed
   • For NI-VISA, ensure the drivers are installed correctly
   • For other backends, consult PyVISA documentation

3. GUI Display Issues:

   • Try an alternative Qt style (e.g., "Fusion" or "Windows")
   • Update your graphics drivers
   • Ensure your display scaling is set appropriately

Error Reporting

If you encounter errors during operation, they will be:

• Displayed in the status area at the bottom of the window
• Shown in error message dialogs for critical issues
• Written to the console output

License

ResistaMet GUI is provided under the MIT License with Academic Citation Clause, the same as the original ResistaMet application.

Contact

For support, bug reports, or feature requests, please contact the author or create an issue in the repository.