PSLab Python Library

The Python library for the Pocket Science Lab from FOSSASIA.

This repository hosts the python library for communicating with the Pocket Science Lab open hardware platform (PSLab). This can be installed on a Linux or Windows system. Using this library you can communicate with the PSLab using simple Python code. The Python library is also used in the PSLab desktop application as a backend component. The goal of PSLab is to create an Open Source hardware device (open on all layers) and software applications that can be used for experiments by teachers, students and scientists. Our tiny pocket lab provides an array of instruments for doing science and engineering experiments. It provides functions of numerous measurement tools including an oscilloscope, a waveform generator, a frequency counter, a programmable voltage, current source and even a component to control robots with up to four servos. The website is at: https://pslab.io

Buy

• You can get a Pocket Science Lab device from the FOSSASIA Shop.
• More resellers are listed on the PSLab website.

Communication

• The PSLab chat channel is on Gitter.
• Please also join us on the PSLab Mailing List.

Installation

pslab-python can be installed from PyPI:

$ pip install pslab

Note: Linux users must additionally install a udev rules file for pslab-python to be able to communicate with the PSLab device. The file 99-pslab.rules should be copied from the installation directory to /etc/udev/rules.d/.

Note: If you are only interested in using PSLab as an acquisition device without a display/GUI, only pslab-python needs to be installed. If you would like a GUI, install the pslab-desktop app and follow the instructions of the Readme in that repo.

Validate installtion

1. Plug in the PSLab device and check that both the LEDs light up.
2. Run the following piece of code in a Python interpreter:

from PSL import sciencelab
I = sciencelab.connect()
capacitance = I.get_capacitance()
print(capacitance)

How to Build the Documentation Website

First install sphinx by running following command

pip install -U Sphinx

Then go to pslab/docs and run the following command

$ make html

License

The library is free and open source software licensed under the GPL v3. The copyright is owned by FOSSASIA.