Introduction
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 analysis.
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.
Actual installation
Compatibility
EScope and ESpark are compatible with most National Instruments multifunction data acquisition boards and does not require a LabView license. ESpark will not work with boards that do not support “hardware-timed” analog output.
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 (politely but firmly) 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
Using the software
Running from the command prompt
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 on github.)
EScope includes a jupyter notebook showing how to load the data it saves. You can also open it in colab.
User guides
For more details on how to use the software, read these chapters:
Development
Development occurs on github.
License information
EScope and ESpark are free software. Read what that means here: