n1914a-python

Python driver and CLI for the Keysight N1914A RF power meter.

Features

• Full driver for the Keysight N1914A power meter over TCP/IP (VISA / VXI-11).
• Sensor zeroing, reference calibration factor, and channel offset support.
• Configurable measurement rate (NORM/FAST/DOUB) and auto-filtering.
• Layered configuration: CLI arguments -> config.ini -> built-in defaults.
• Interactive shell for bench use - avoids VISA reconnection overhead between commands.
• Context manager support (with N1914A(...) as pm:).

Installation

git clone https://github.com/PatrickADz/keysight-n1914a-python.git
cd keysight-n1914a-python
pip install -e .

# Optional: for the live-plotting example
pip install -e ".[plot]"

pyvisa-py (the pure-Python VISA backend) is installed automatically as a dependency, so no separate NI-VISA install is required.

Quick Start

from n1914a import N1914A

with N1914A("TCPIP::192.168.0.4::INSTR") as pm:
    pm.set_unit("DBM")
    pm.zero()  # remove RF power from the sensor first
    print(pm.get_power())

Copy config.example.ini to config.ini in your working directory and fill in the real instrument address. Once that's in place, the address does not need to be passed on the command line:

# equivalent invocations - use whichever style you prefer
n1914a-cli shell
python -m n1914a shell

# other subcommands
n1914a-cli read
n1914a-cli zero
n1914a-cli idn

# --address overrides config.ini if you need to point at a different unit
n1914a-cli --address TCPIP::10.0.0.7::INSTR read

Repository Structure

n1914a/
  __init__.py      - public package API
  __main__.py       - enables `python -m n1914a`
  driver.py         - N1914A driver class
  config.py         - layered configuration loader
  cli.py            - CLI + interactive shell
  exceptions.py     - custom exception hierarchy
tests/
  test_driver.py     - mock-based test suite
examples/
  basic_read.py       - connect, zero, single reading
  continuous_plot.py  - live matplotlib plot of power readings
config.example.ini
pyproject.toml
LICENSE

Tests

pip install -e ".[dev]"
pytest

All tests run against a FakeInstrument/FakeResourceManager pair - no physical power meter is required.

Context / Notes

Developed for RF power measurement tasks at CePIA (Universidad de Concepción).

License

MIT - see LICENSE.