escope

EScope and ESpark are a software oscilloscope and function generator aimed primarily but not exclusively at electrophysiology.

Screenshots

EScope running in “demo” mode on Linux without a DAQ card:

ESpark running on Windows:

Features

EScope can display traces from up to eight analog inputs simultaneously, optionally using one of them as a trigger input. As on physical digital storage oscilloscopes, input signals can be DC or AC coupled. The vertical gain and offset can be adjusted by dragging corresponding user interface elements.

EScope can continuously stream acquired data to disk. Alternatively, individually acquired single sweeps can be saved. A Python module is included to conveniently load saved data for further analyis.

ESpark can output a variety of pulse waveforms either singly or in programmable trains. Up to four analog or digital channels can be driven concurrently. The software displays previews of the signals to be generated making it particularly easy for students to design complex stimuli.

Compatibility

EScope and ESpark are compatible with most National Instruments multifunction data acquisition boards and does not require a LabView license. The software has been tested on both Windows and Linux. It will likely work on MacOS as well.

Important caveat: National Instruments only fully supports a shockingly small number of their cards on Linux. (Many are supported only with “software timing”, which is completely useless.) If they do not properly support yours, the best I can suggest is that you loudly demand your money back.

Prerequisites

To use with NI hardware, you first need to install the NIDAQmx software. This is not necessary on computers where you only wish to analyze data you acquired on another computer.

Installation

Installation is as easy as

pip install escope

Running

To run the software, open a terminal and type either

escope

or

espark

In Windows, after you run the software in this fashion once, you should be able to run it from the start menu as well. (If you know of a way to make “pip” create a start menu entry, please contact me or open an Issue.)

Data analysis

EScope includes a jupyter notebook showing how to load the data it saves. You can also open it in colab.

Extended documentation

Full documentation is at readthedocs.io.

License

EScope and ESpark are licensed under the GPL license, version 3 or—at your choice—any later version. See LICENSE for more information.