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<ahref="CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md"><imgsrc="https://img.shields.io/badge/Code%20of%20Conduct-Contributor%20Covenant-ff69b4.svg?style=flat-square"alt="Code of Conduct"></a>
> 🎉 **v1.0.3 is now live!** The GUI has been refreshed with a new **Latte** theme — lighter, warmer, and easier on the eyes during long measurement sessions. Install or upgrade via pip: `pip install --upgrade pica-suite`
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---
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## Overview
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High-precision, low-noise transport measurements are essential for advancing research in spintronics and materials characterisation. **PICA (Python-based Instrument Control and Automation)** is a modular, open-source software suite designed to automate advanced transport measurements for electronic devices and material samples. It operates as a versatile framework capable of running on any standard laboratory workstation.
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<em>PICA Launcher Interface for accessing all measurement modules.</em>
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<em>PICA Launcher Interface (v1.0.3, Latte theme) for accessing all measurement modules.</em>
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</p>
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> **More details here:**
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> For more information, go through the [User Manual](docs/User_Manual.md).
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> Full online documentation is available at [https://prathameshnium.github.io/PICA-Python-Instrument-Control-and-Automation/](https://prathameshnium.github.io/PICA-Python-Instrument-Control-and-Automation/).
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> For usage guides, see the [User Manual](docs/User_Manual.md).
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## Table of Contents
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-[Overview](#overview)
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-[What's New in v1.0.3](#whats-new-in-v103)
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-[Motivation](#motivation)
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-[Key Features](#key-features)
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-[Design and Implementation](#design-and-implementation)
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---
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## What's New in v1.0.3
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**v1.0.3** is the latest release and is available on [PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/pica-suite/) and [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/prathameshnium/PICA-Python-Instrument-Control-and-Automation/releases).
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```bash
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pip install pica-suite==1.0.3
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# or upgrade from a previous version:
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pip install --upgrade pica-suite
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```
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### 🎨 Latte GUI Theme
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The GUI has been redesigned with a **Latte** theme — a lighter, warmer colour palette that replaces the previous darker interface. This makes PICA more comfortable for extended lab sessions and improves readability under typical laboratory lighting conditions.
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Key visual changes:
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* Lighter background and widget colours throughout all measurement modules.
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* Improved contrast for console log text.
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* Softer colour scheme for real-time plot backgrounds.
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For the full changelog, see [`CHANGELOG.md`](CHANGELOG.md).
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---
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## Motivation
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Advancements in experimental physics and device manufacturing depend on the precise characterisation of material properties under extreme physical conditions. Researchers often face a binary choice: purchase expensive proprietary software or develop custom measurement scripts from scratch.
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## Key Features
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***Accessibility:** A professional GUI dashboard allows researchers without coding experience to configure and run complex measurement protocols immediately using pre-packaged measurement modules.
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***Accessibility:** A professional GUI dashboard (now with the Latte theme) allows researchers without coding experience to configure and run complex measurement protocols immediately using pre-packaged measurement modules.
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***Operational Validation:** Validated via cryogenic transport measurements using a custom-designed probe in conjunction with a **Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS)** (5-380 K, up to 14 Tesla) at the [UGC DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Mumbai Centre](https://www.csr.res.in/Mumbai_Centre).
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***Fault Tolerance:** Control logic is isolated from the user interface. Hardware timeouts or driver crashes are prevented from freezing the main dashboard.
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***Modular CLI Architecture:** Measurement modules contain CLI counterparts, allowing researchers to utilize PICA's protocol logic for headless automation or integration into other workflows without GUI overhead.
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*While the current implementation drives specific instruments, the underlying framework is highly customizable. Researchers need only replace specific SCPI commands to utilize the suite with different models.*
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> [!NOTE]
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> **Understanding "Delta Mode":** The term "Delta Mode" refers specifically to a technique used by Keithley Models 6220 and 6221 Current Sources in conjunction with the Model 2182/2182A Nanovoltmeter for very low resistance measurements. This method is described in detail in the [Keithley Low Level Measurements Handbook](https://www.tek.com/en/documents/product-article/keithley-low-level-measurements-handbook---7th-edition). In this documentation, "Ultra Low Resistance Measurements" is used as the general scientific term, while "Delta Mode" may appear when specifically referencing the Keithley-specific method or program files.
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<em>Interface for current-voltage (I-V) characterisation of high-impedance materials using the Keithley 6517B Electrometer.</p>
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<em>Interface for current-voltage (I-V) characterisation of high-impedance materials using the Keithley 6517B Electrometer.</em>
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</p>
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---
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## Pre-requisites: The VISA Driver
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> [!WARNING]
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> **A VISA Backend is Required:**[`PyVISA`](https://github.com/pyvisa/pyvisa) is a Python wrapper, not a driver. For PICA to communicate with hardware, you **must** install a VISA backend on your system first. If you attempt to run the software on a clean machine without a VISA implementation, it will fail to find the instruments. This is the most common failure point for new instrument control setups.
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>
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> **Before proceeding, verify your VISA installation.**
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---
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---
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## Getting Started
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PICA is structured as a standard Python package. The following instructions are for the supported Windows platform.
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PICA is available on [PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/pica-suite/) and structured as a standard Python package. The following instructions are for the supported Windows platform.
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### Option 1: Install from PyPI (Recommended)
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```bash
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pip install pica-suite
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```
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To upgrade to the latest version (currently **v1.0.3**):
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```bash
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pip install --upgrade pica-suite
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```
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### Option 2: Install from Source
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1.**Clone the Repository**
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```bash
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# Create and activate a virtual environment
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python -m venv venv
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venv\Scripts\activate
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# Install the package and its dependencies
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pip install .
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```
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```bash
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pica-cli
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```
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> [!IMPORTANT]
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>**Template Scripts:** The instrument control modules (CLI's) provided are designed as **template scripts**. Users are expected to modify these scripts programmatically to adapt them to their specific experimental requirements and custom workflows. They are also excellent for developing **custom measurement protocols, sequences, and for learning instrument automation**. These scripts are typically named with an 'Instrument_Control' suffix to denote their programmatic nature. This approach ensures maximum flexibility and customization for advanced research applications.
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> [!NOTE]
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> **Legacy CLI Notice:** The PICA CLI (`pica-cli`) is retained to support legacy headless workflows. While fully functional for specific protocols, this interface is **less frequently maintained** and may not support recent features available in the GUI.
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> **Legacy CLI Notice:** The PICA CLI (`pica-cli`) is retained to support legacy headless workflows. While fully functional for specific protocols, this interface is **less frequently maintained** and may not support recent features available in the GUI.
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> We **strongly recommend** new users utilize the PICA GUI for the most complete and supported experience.
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## System Requirements & Compatibility
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**Supported Platform:** Windows 10 / 11
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**Architecture:** x86_64
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> [!IMPORTANT]
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> **Windows Only**
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> PICA is currently designed and validated exclusively for Windows environments.
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*The interface is designed to be minimalistic to reduce unnecessary user interaction during active high-precision, low-noise transport measurements.*
> **Experimental Support:** The following instructions are for experimental purposes only. PICA is not officially supported on Linux (for now), and you will likely encounter functional or UI-related issues.
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PICA evolved from simple offline scripts in 2022 to a full-stack automated suite.
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* **v1.0.0 (Initial Public Release):** Version numbering has been reset from legacy development builds (v17.0) to v1.0.0 to standardize the package for public distribution and citation.
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* **v1.0.3 (Latest):** GUI refreshed with the **Latte** theme — lighter, warmer, and less dark. Available on [PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/pica-suite/).
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* **v1.0.1 / v1.0.0 (Initial Public Release):** Version numbering was reset from legacy development builds (v17.0) to v1.0.0 to standardize the package for public distribution and citation.
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* **v17.0:** Professional directory restructuring, Semantic Versioning, and documentation overhaul.
* **v13.0:** Transition to Multiprocessing and standardized GUI themes.
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## Resources & Documentation
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***Online Documentation:** Full documentation site at [https://prathameshnium.github.io/PICA-Python-Instrument-Control-and-Automation/](https://prathameshnium.github.io/PICA-Python-Instrument-Control-and-Automation/).
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***PyPI Package:** Install directly via [https://pypi.org/project/pica-suite/](https://pypi.org/project/pica-suite/).
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***User Manual:** Details on the project and usage guides are available in the [User Manual](docs/User_Manual.md).
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***Instrument Manuals:** A list of instrument manuals is available in [docs/Instruments_Manuals_Lists.md](docs/Instruments_Manuals_Lists.md).
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***GitLab Backup:** This project is manually backed up weekly to a [GitLab repository](https://gitlab.com/prathameshnium/pica-python-instrument-control-and-automation).
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***Project Web Page:** [https://prathameshdeshmukh.site/pages/project-pica.html](https://prathameshdeshmukh.site/pages/project-pica.html).
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---
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## Citation
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day = 26,
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year = 2026,
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publisher = {Zenodo},
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version = {1.0.1},
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version = {1.0.3},
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doi = {10.5281/zenodo.18377217},
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url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18377217}
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}
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````
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```
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## Authors & Funding
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This project is led by [**Prathamesh Deshmukh**](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Prathamesh-Deshmukh-6) under the supervision of [**Dr. Sudip Mukherjee**](https://www.csr.res.in/Faculty/profile/889/893/Dr.SudipMukherjee) at the UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Mumbai Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, Maharashtra, India.
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We acknowledge the financial support provided under the **SERB-CRG project grant No. CRG/2022/005676** from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
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