EBEAM System Dashboard Software

1. Development Workflow

Branching strategy

All code development intended to impact a future release is done on the latest develop branch. This applies to new instrument features, bug fixes, etc. The develop branch is not stable. The main branch contains the latest production code.

Development Process

Clone the repo to your machine.

git clone https://github.com/bwalkerMIR/EBEAM_dashboard.git

Navigate to your project directory:

cd EBEAM_dashboard

Create a virtual environment:

python -m venv venv

Activate the virtual environment (assuming on Windows):

venv\Scripts\activate

Install the requirements:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Run the main application:

python main.py

Create a new branch from develop for your feature or bug fix:

git checkout develop
git pull origin develop
git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name

Make your changes and commit:

git add changedfile.py
git commit -m "Descriptive commit message"

Push your branch to GitHub:

git push origin feature/your-feature-name

Create a "New pull request". Set the base branch to develop and compare branch to your feature branch. Fill in the PR template with a description of your changes, any related issues, and testing performed.

Assign reviewers to your PR. Merge.

2. Executable Build Instructions

python -m PyInstaller EBEAM_DASHBOARD.spec

3. Architecture

• Language & Libraries: Python, using the Tkinter interface for the GUI, matplotlib for plotting, and Pyserial for communication with external systems through virtual COM ports.
• High-level Design: The application is divided into several modules:
  • main.py: Manages the main application startup and configuration.
  • dashboard.py: Handles the main user interface and dashboard setup.
  • instrumentctl/: Instrument specific command libraries.
  • subsystem/: Contains classes and methods to manage individual subsystems (e.g., VTRXSubsystem, EnvironmentalSubsystem).
  • utils.py: Utility functions and classes that support the main application (Logging, setup scripts, etc.).
  • Core Structure:

EBEAM_DASHBOARD/
├── __init__.py 
├── dashboard.py
├── instrumentctl/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── apex_mass_flow_controller.py
│   └── power_supply_9014.py
├── main.py
├── subsystem/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── cathode_heating.py
│   ├── environmental.py
│   ├── interlocks.py
│   ├── oil_system.py
│   ├── visualization_gas_control.py
│   └── vtrx.py
└── utils.py

4. Components

• Main Application (main.py):

  • Configuration Loader: Responsible for initial configurations, setting up COM ports, and starting the main dashboard.
  • COM Port Configuration: Dynamically detects and assigns COM ports for various hardware interfaces. TODO: Write dropdowns for additional subsystems.

• Instrument Control (instrumentctl.py):

  • Equipment specific driver libraries:
    • 9104 Cathode Heating Power Supplies (datasheet) IN PROGRESS
    • E5CN Cathode Temperature Controller (datasheet) IN PROGRESS
    • Apex Mass Flow Controller (datasheet) IN PROGRESS
    • TODO: Agilent 33120A (datasheet)
    • TODO: Quantum 9530
    • TODO: G9SP serial option (status door, e-stops, vac, levels, timer)
    • VTRX system
    • TODO: Temp monitor
    • TODO: A655sc
    • TODO: BOP-100-2ML

5. Dashboard (dashboard.py)

• EBEAMSystemDashboard Class: The main class that sets up the dashboard interface.
  • setup_main_pane: Initializes the main layout pane and its rows.
  • create_frames: Creates frames for different systems and controls within the dashboard.
  • create_messages_frame: Creates a frame for displaying messages and errors.
  • create_subsystems: Initializes subsystems in their designated frames using component settings.

5. Subsystems

• vtrx.py:

  • Manages the VTRX system, including serial communication and GUI updates.
  • Handles pressure data and switch states, updating the GUI in real-time.
  • Logs messages and errors to the messages frame.

• environmental.py:

  • Monitors and displays temperature data from various thermometers.
  • Uses Matplotlib to create bar charts for temperature visualization.

• visualization_gas_control.py:

  • Controls the Argon bleed system via serial communication.
  • Provides GUI buttons for taring flow and absolute pressure.

• interlocks.py:

  • Manages the status of various interlocks (e.g., Vacuum, Water, Door).
  • Updates GUI indicators based on interlock status.

• oil_system.py:

  • Monitors and displays oil temperature and pressure.
  • Uses a vertical temperature gauge and a dial meter for pressure visualization.

6. Utilities (utils.py)

• MessagesFrame Class:

  • A custom Tkinter frame for displaying messages and errors.
  • Supports logging messages with timestamps and trimming old messages to maintain a maximum number of lines.

• TextRedirector Class:

  • Redirects stdout to a Tkinter Text widget.
  • Ensures that all print statements in the application are displayed in the messages frame.

• SetupScripts Class:

  • Manages the selection and execution of configuration scripts.
  • Provides a GUI for selecting scripts from a dropdown menu and executing them.