pyPicoSDK: Getting started

Introduction

Pico Technology provides a wide range of PC-based oscilloscopes that can be controlled and automated using software. For Python developers, pyPicoSDK offers a convenient way to interface with PicoScope devices, enabling tasks such as data capture, automation, and analysis directly within Python scripts.

This approach is especially useful for engineers and researchers who want to integrate oscilloscope measurements into automated test setups, signal processing workflows, or data analysis pipelines.

Step 1: Install PicoSDK

Before using pyPicoSDK, you need to have the official PicoSDK drivers installed. These drivers act as the communication layer between your computer and the PicoScope hardware.

  • The SDK can be downloaded from Pico Technology’s official website.

  • Choose the installer that matches your operating system (Windows, Linux, or macOS).

Step 2: Install pyPicoSDK (Python Wrapper)

Once the drivers are ready, you can install the Python wrapper using pip:

pip install pypicosdk

This package provides Python bindings for the C-based PicoSDK libraries.

Step 3: Import pyPicoSDK in Your Python Project

After installation, you can start writing Python scripts. To load the library, simply import it:

import pypicosdk as psdk

Step 4: Quick Test Script

Here’s a minimal script to test your setup:

scope = psdk.ps6000a()
scope.open_unit()
print(scope.get_unit_serial())
scope.close_unit()

If everything is working correctly, this script will open the oscilloscope, print the device’s serial number, and then close the connection.

Step 5: Explore Example Scripts

pyPicoSDK includes a set of example scripts on GitHub that demonstrate how to configure the scope, capture signals, and process the data. Running these examples is the best way to get familiar with the library’s capabilities.

Supported Devices

Currently, pyPicoSDK supports:

  • PicoScope 6000E Series (via the ps6000a driver)

  • PicoScope 3000E Series (via the psospa driver)

More device families are expected to be added in the future as development progresses.

Why Use pyPicoSDK? (Theory)

Traditionally, oscilloscopes are controlled through vendor-specific GUI applications. While convenient, this limits flexibility in automated testing and integration with custom workflows. By exposing the hardware API through Python:

  • Engineers can integrate oscilloscopes into larger automated test systems.

  • Researchers can directly analyze captured data using libraries like NumPy, SciPy, or Matplotlib.

  • Developers can build custom measurement solutions that go beyond the scope of standard oscilloscope software.

In short, pyPicoSDK bridges the gap between PicoScope hardware and Python’s powerful ecosystem for scientific computing.