PIEC is an open-source Python library that provides infrastructure for laboratory experiment design and operation through a standardized, hierarchical, object-oriented framework. Originally developed at Brown University as a fork of the ferroelectric testing-focused EKPY Python suite, PIEC is designed to be extended to any experimental domain that requires programmable instrument control.
PIEC requires Python 3.9 or higher:
pip install piecRun the desktop quickstart app to generate and capture waveforms with an interactive graphical interface:
python Measurements/Quickstart/quick_start_local_GUI.py- Works out of the box in Virtual simulation mode (no hardware required).
- Connect physical instruments with dropdown selection or Autodetect.
- Configure sine, square, or ramp waveforms and view live scope captures.
- Optionally save captured traces directly to CSV.
Prefer running in your browser? Launch the interactive notebook on Binder.
Run a complete ferroelectric hysteresis measurement using virtual instruments:
from piec.drivers.awg.k_81150a import Keysight81150a
from piec.drivers.oscilloscope.k_dsox3024a import KeysightDSOX3024a
from piec.measurement.discrete_waveform import HysteresisLoop
# Connect in virtual simulation mode
awg = Keysight81150a("VIRTUAL")
osc = KeysightDSOX3024a("VIRTUAL")
# Configure, capture, analyze, and display plots
experiment = HysteresisLoop(awg, osc, save_dir=".", show_plots=True)
experiment.run_experiment()To run on hardware, pass your instrument's VISA address instead of "VIRTUAL", or use autodetection:
from piec.drivers.autodetect import autodetect
awg = autodetect('awg')
scope = autodetect('scope')For complete driver documentation and advanced measurement workflows, see the User Guide.
| Category | Models |
|---|---|
| Arbitrary Waveform Generator | Keysight 81150A, Agilent 33220A, Agilent 33500, Siglent SDG2000X |
| Oscilloscope | Keysight DSOX3024A, Agilent DSOX5000, Rigol DS1000Z, Tektronix TDS2000, Tektronix TDS6604, LeCroy SDA6020 |
| Source Meter | Keithley 2400 |
| Lock-in Amplifier | Stanford Research SR830 |
| Digital Multimeter | Agilent 34410A, Keithley 2000, Keithley 193A |
| Pulser | Berkeley Nucleonics BNC 765 |
| DAQ | MCC USB-231, MCC USB-1208HS |
| DC Calibrator | EDC 522 |
| Stepper Motor | Arduino Stepper (custom serial) |
New drivers can be added by implementing a driver subclass alongside its Virtual Instrument, following the Driver Development Guide. New experiment types require implementing a Measurement subclass without modifying existing code.
For general guidelines, see the Contributing Guide.
Issues, bug reports, and feature requests: Issue Tracker
Maintainer: Geo Fratian — [email protected]
Please cite this software following the CITATION.cff.
Fratian, G., Qualls, A., Phan, J., Pankaj, R., & Caretta, L. (2026).
PIEC: A Python library for Integrated Experimental Control [Software].
https://github.com/TransluSci/piec