PySantec

Python wrapper for the Santec Insertion Loss and Polarization Dependent Loss Swept Test System.

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Overview

PySantec is a high-level Python interface for controlling Santec instruments and NI DAQ devices, designed to simplify automated optical measurements.

It enables:

• Seamless communication with TSL (Tunable Semiconductor Laser)
• Efficient control of MPM (Multi-Port Optical Power Meter)
• Integration with NI DAQ devices
• (Under development) Execution of IL (Insertion Loss) and PDL (Polarization Dependent Loss) tests

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Platform & Requirements

PySantec depends on Santec’s .NET-based libraries and requires a Windows environment.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 10 or later
• Python: 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, or 3.13 (64-bit only)
• .NET Framework: 4.6.2 (included by default on modern Windows systems)
• Santec DLLs: Installed via the Santec Swept Test System (IL/PDL) software

Download Required Software

Download the latest STS IL/PDL Software (.NET) from Santec:

👉 https://downloads.santec.com

Dependencies

• NI-488.2 – Required for GPIB device support
  👉 https://www.ni.com/en-us/support/downloads/drivers/download.ni-488-2.html

• NI-VISA – Required for GPIB communication
  👉 https://www.ni.com/en-us/support/downloads/drivers/download.ni-visa.html

• NI-DAQmx – Required for DAQ device integration
  👉 https://www.ni.com/en-us/support/downloads/drivers/download.ni-daqmx.html

• Python.NET (CLR) – Enables loading of Santec .NET DLLs
  👉 https://pythonnet.github.io/

  Install Python.NET via pip:

  pip install pythonnet
  

• TSL USB Driver: Required only when connecting to Santec TSL devices via USB
  Available from the same Santec downloads page.

Important Notes

Windows-Only Support

PySantec relies on Santec’s .NET Framework DLLs and is therefore not supported on Linux or macOS.
Attempting to import the package on non-Windows platforms will raise an error.

64-bit Requirement

Santec’s DLLs are compiled for a 64-bit architecture.
You must use a 64-bit version of Python—32-bit Python is not supported and will result in DLL load failures.

.NET Framework Dependency

PySantec requires .NET Framework 4.6.2 or later.
This version (or newer, such as 4.7.2 / 4.8) is typically preinstalled on Windows 10 and Windows 11, so no additional installation is usually required.

USB Device Support

If you plan to connect to Santec TSL devices via USB, you must install the TSL USB driver.
This is not required for other connection methods.

Quick Checklist

Before using PySantec, confirm:

• ✔ Running on Windows
• ✔ Using 64-bit Python (3.10–3.13)
• ✔ Santec STS IL/PDL software installed
• ✔ NI-488.2, NI-VISA, NI-DAQmx drivers installed.
• ✔ Python.NET (CLR) Python package installed.
• ✔ (If using USB) TSL USB driver installed

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Installation

Install the package via pip:

pip install pysantec

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⚡ Quick Start

from pysantec import InstrumentManager

# Initialize instrument manager
manager = InstrumentManager()

# List available resources
resources = manager.list_resources()
print(resources)

# Connect to instruments
tsl = manager.connect_tsl('GPIB1::3::INSTR')        # Replace with your TSL GPIB address
mpm = manager.connect_mpm('GPIB1::17::INSTR')       # Replace with your MPM GPIB address
daq = manager.connect_daq('Dev1')       # Replace with your DAQ device name

# Basic laser operation
tsl.set_wavelength(1550.0)
tsl.set_power(2.0)

# Basic MPM operation
mpm.set_wavelength(1550.0)

# Basic DAQ operation
print(daq.is_sampling)

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Examples

Example scripts are available in the examples/ directory.

For detailed usage and walkthroughs, see:
👉 Examples Documentation

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Supported Instruments

Instrument Type	Supported Models
TSL (Laser)	TSL-550, TSL-570, TSL-710, TSL-770
MPM (Power Meter)	MPM-210, MPM-210H, MPM-220
DAQ (NI)	Devices compatible with NI-DAQmx

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Testing

To run the test suite:

pytest tests/

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Contributing

We welcome contributions! To contribute:

• Fork the repository
• Create a feature branch
• Commit your changes
• Push to your fork
• Create a Pull Request

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.
See the LICENSE file for more details.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the following technologies and organizations that support this project:

• National Instruments
  For providing essential hardware communication and control libraries, including NI-VISA, NI-488.2, and NI-DAQmx.

• Python.NET
  For enabling seamless integration between Python and the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR), allowing efficient interoperability across platforms.

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About the Santec Swept Test System

What is STS IL/PDL?

The Swept Test System (STS) is a photonic measurement solution developed by Santec Corporation for characterizing wavelength-dependent properties of passive optical components.

It is specifically designed to measure:

• Insertion Loss (IL)
• Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL)

System Components

The STS is composed of two key instruments:

• Tunable Light Source (TSL)
  A high-performance tunable semiconductor laser that enables precise wavelength sweeping.

• Multi-Port Power Meter (MPM)
  A sensitive, multi-port power meter used to accurately capture optical power across wavelengths.

Together, these components enable fast, reliable, and highly accurate optical characterization.

Learn More

For additional details about the Swept Test System, visit:
👉 Santec STS Product Page

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Documentation is under development — contributions are welcome!