Random Device Query with PyVISA

This function uses the PyVISA library to randomly query devices of a specified type and returns the device's IDN string.

Technology Stack : PyVISA

Code Type : The type of code

Code Difficulty : Intermediate

                
                    
import random
import visa

def random_resource_query(device_type):
    """
    This function queries for a random device of a specified type using PyVISA.
    """
    # Connect to the first available resource manager
    rm = visa.ResourceManager()
    
    # Query for devices of the specified type
    devices = rm.list_resources(type=device_type)
    
    # Check if any devices of the specified type were found
    if not devices:
        print("No devices of type {} found.".format(device_type))
        return None
    
    # Select a random device
    device = random.choice(devices)
    
    # Open the selected device
    instr = rm.open_resource(device)
    
    # Query the device's identification string
    identification = instr.query("*IDN?")
    
    # Close the device
    instr.close()
    
    return identification