Connecting to USB SA 124 B by Signal Hound in Python

Instrument Card

The Signal Hound USB-SA44B is a Software Defined Receiver (SDR) optimized as a narrow-band real-time RF spectrum analyzer. It is a compact, simple to use, effective troubleshooting tool for the general lab user, engineering students, and ham radio enthusiast.

Device Specification: here

Manufacturer card: SIGNAL HOUND

Signal Hound is a manufacturer of RF spectrum analyzers and signal generators.

• Headquarters: USA
• Yearly Revenue (millions, USD): 3.6
• Vendor Website: here

Connect to the USB SA 124 B in Python

Read our guide for turning Python scripts into Flojoy nodes.

Flojoy

PROTOCOLS > SCPI

📄 IDN

Query a device's identity through the universal *IDN? SCPI command.

📄 MEASURE VOLTAGE

Query an instrument's measured output voltage, such as a DMM or power supply.

📄 SCPI WRITE

Write a SCPI command to a connected bench-top instrument and return the result.

QCodes

import qcodes as qc
from qcodes.instrument_drivers.signal_hound.USB_SA124B import SignalHoundUSBSA124B

# Create an instance of the SignalHoundUSBSA124B instrument
sa = SignalHoundUSBSA124B("sa", dll_path="C:\\Program Files\\Signal Hound\\Spike\\sa_api.dll")

# Connect to the instrument
sa.connect()

# Print the instrument IDN
print(sa.get_idn())

# Configure the instrument parameters
sa.frequency(1e9)
sa.span(1e6)
sa.rbw(1e3)
sa.vbw(1e3)
sa.ref_lvl(0)
sa.external_reference(False)
sa.scale("log-scale")

# Perform a frequency sweep and get the data
data = sa.freq_sweep()

# Print the data
print(data)

# Disconnect from the instrument
sa.disconnect()

Note: Make sure to replace the dll_path argument with the correct path to the sa_api.dll file on your system.