Blog

Notes from the bench.

Test engineering, instrument automation, and agents, written by the people building Galois.

[Oct 3, 2026] · ComparisonsOpen-Source Instrument Control Software, ComparedOpen-source instrument control software compared by license, language, driver model, sequencing and evidence: PyVISA, PyMeasure, QCoDeS, Instro and OpenHTF.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Oct 2, 2026] · ComparisonsOpenHTF vs OpenTAP vs pytest vs TestStandOpenHTF vs OpenTAP vs pytest vs TestStand: test model, plugins, operator UI, result storage, license, language and OS compared, with code for each one.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Sep 26, 2026] · Test evidenceDO-160 Environmental Testing: Bench EvidenceDO-160 sets environmental test categories for airborne equipment. The functional checks to run before, during and after exposure, and what to record.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Sep 25, 2026] · ComparisonsTestStand Alternatives for Hardware TeamsTestStand alternatives for teams leaving NI: list prices, Windows-only stations, binary .seq files, Nigel, a migration plan, and when to stay on TestStand.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Sep 19, 2026] · ComparisonsKeysight PathWave Test Automation AlternativesKeysight PathWave Test Automation alternatives for mixed benches: plain OpenTAP, OpenHTF, pytest with PyVISA, TestStand, Galois, and when to stay on PathWave.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Sep 18, 2026] · IndustriesMotor Drive and Actuator Test AutomationAutomate motor drive and actuator tests: commutation, current loops, efficiency maps, thermal soak, encoder drift and protection, over CANopen or Modbus.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Sep 12, 2026] · Instrument automationAdd Any SCPI Instrument in One YAML FileAdd a SCPI instrument to Galois with one YAML profile: match its *IDN? reply, map commands from the programming manual, type ranges, flag danger, validate.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Sep 11, 2026] · Test evidenceCalibration Status in Automated Test RecordsWhy calibration status belongs in every automated test record: what to capture at run time, how to block expired instruments, and what ISO/IEC 17025 asks.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Sep 5, 2026] · AgentsMCP for Lab Instruments: A Practical GuideMCP for test equipment, step by step: how galois-edge exposes lab instruments as typed tools, connecting a client, a read-only session, a sequence draft.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Sep 4, 2026] · Instrument automationDeclarative Instrument Drivers: YAML vs ClassesA declarative instrument driver describes commands as data, not code. Why YAML profiles beat hand-written driver classes, and when code is still right.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Aug 29, 2026] · IndustriesISO 16750-2 Electrical Tests for Automotive ECUsWhat ISO 16750-2:2023 tests, from supply voltage codes to load dump, and how to script its slow profiles on a list-mode programmable supply with PyVISA.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Aug 28, 2026] · Instrument automationKeithley SMU Automation with Python: IV CurvesRun IV sweeps on a Keithley 2450 or 2400 SMU from Python: SCPI vs TSP, current limits, source delay and NPLC, 4-wire sensing, and a safe output-off.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Aug 22, 2026] · IndustriesEMC Pre-Compliance Testing on Your BenchRun EMC pre-compliance testing on your bench: near-field probing, LISN conducted scans, radiated pre-scans, before/after comparisons and automated sweeps.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Aug 22, 2026] · Test evidenceHardware Test Traceability from Requirement to RunHardware test traceability links a requirement to a test, sequence revision, run, measured value and sign-off. Why RTMs drift and what auditors need.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Aug 21, 2026] · Design to testFrom Schematic to Test Plan: KiCad and AltiumSchematic to test plan: derive bring-up and DVT tests from a KiCad or Altium design, from nets and test points to BOM checks and datasheet limits.Alex Hernandez · 11 min read
[Aug 15, 2026] · Design to testKiCad Netlist to Test Points: Rail ValidationExport a KiCad netlist with kicad-cli, find power rails and test points in Python, derive voltage limits from the design, and emit a rail validation sequence.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Aug 14, 2026] · Test evidenceEU Cyber Resilience Act: Test Evidence for HardwareWhat the EU Cyber Resilience Act asks of hardware makers: key dates, conformity assessment classes, technical documentation, and the test evidence to keep.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Aug 8, 2026] · Instrument automationYokogawa WT Power Analyzer AutomationAutomate Yokogawa WT5000, WT1800R and WT300E power analyzers from Python: numeric item lists, fresh-data sync, integration, harmonics and efficiency maps.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Aug 7, 2026] · IndustriesBMS Validation Testing: Automating the BenchBMS validation testing on an automated bench: cell simulators, voltage and temperature accuracy, balancing, OV/UV/OC/OT trips, CAN checks and IEC 62619.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Aug 1, 2026] · ComparisonsLabVIEW to Python: A Phased Migration PlanA LabVIEW to Python migration plan in phases: inventory your VIs, move instrument I/O to PyVISA, then sequences, data and reports, with LabVIEW still running.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jul 31, 2026] · ResearchPython vs LabVIEW in 1,021 Hardware Test Job PostsWe analyzed 1,021 hardware test job postings from 70 companies, July 2026. Python appears in 54.8%, LabVIEW in 7.1%, and LabVIEW without Python in 0.4%.Alex Hernandez · 11 min read
[Jul 25, 2026] · Design to testDC-DC Converter Validation Test AutomationAutomate DC-DC converter validation: efficiency maps on a power analyzer, line and load regulation, ripple, load transients, Bode loop margins and derating.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jul 24, 2026] · Instrument automationElectronic Load SCPI Automation for Battery TestsAutomate DC electronic loads over SCPI: CC, CR, CV and CP modes, discharge cutoffs, Von latch, slew rates, logging and safe shutdown on B&K, Rigol, Keysight.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jul 18, 2026] · Test evidenceDVT Test Report Template: What Auditors CheckA DVT test report template and the fields auditors check: scope, unit IDs, setup, equipment, procedure revision, results vs limits, deviations, sign-off.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jul 17, 2026] · Instrument automationLab Automation for University Research LabsPython lab automation that survives student turnover: SR830 and SR860 lock-ins, Lake Shore 336 ramps, Keithley picoammeters, safe sweeps, reproducible data.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jul 11, 2026] · Design to testBoard Bring-Up Checklist: Rails, Clocks, InterfacesA board bring-up checklist for first power-on: inspection, rail impedance, current-limited power, ripple, clocks, resets, debug access and peripheral buses.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jul 11, 2026] · Instrument automationPyVISA on Linux: USB, GPIB, and LAN That WorkSet up PyVISA on Linux with PyVISA-py: USBTMC udev rules, linux-gpib and Prologix GPIB adapters, LXI discovery, raw sockets, and a Raspberry Pi gateway.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jul 10, 2026] · ComparisonsHardware Test Data Platforms: Nominal, Sift, SynnaxNominal, Sift and Synnax compared from their own docs: what each stores, controls and reviews, where test execution sits, and how to run them side by side.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Jul 4, 2026] · AgentsTest Sequencer vs AI Agent: Where Each FitsTest sequencers like TestStand and OpenTAP run the steps an engineer wrote. Test agents write, adapt and interpret them under approval. Where each fits.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Jul 3, 2026] · Design to testPower Rail Validation Test Plan TemplateA power rail validation test plan template for every rail: line and load regulation, ripple, load-step transients, sequencing, efficiency and OCP/OVP.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jun 27, 2026] · AgentsCan an LLM Safely Drive Lab Instruments?LLM instrument control safety: how an agent can hurt a bench (wrong range, output enable, runaway sweeps, stale state) and the layers that contain it.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Jun 26, 2026] · AgentsAI Test Automation for Hardware BenchesAI test automation for hardware, explained: how agents generate test sequences, run them on real benches over MCP, read the results, and stay inside limits.Alex Hernandez · 12 min read
[Jun 20, 2026] · IndustriesMedical Device Design Verification Test RecordsMedical device design verification under FDA's QMSR and ISO 13485: protocol contents, objective evidence, traceability to inputs, and the records to keep.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jun 19, 2026] · Design to testEVT vs DVT vs PVT: What to Test at Each StageWhat EVT, DVT and PVT each prove, the tests and unit counts for each build, exit criteria, and how sequences, limits and records carry through to production.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jun 13, 2026] · IndustriesPost-Silicon Validation Bench AutomationAutomate post-silicon validation on the bench: voltage and temperature corners, I/O timing, shmoo plots, register reads over JTAG or SWD, and repeatable data.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jun 12, 2026] · AgentsHow to Review an AI-Generated Test PlanA reviewer's checklist for AI-generated test plans, worked on a 3.3 V LDO rail: coverage, limit sources, ranges, safe states, a dead-board run, approval.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jun 6, 2026] · Instrument automationSCPI Instrument Automation with PythonAutomate SCPI instruments from Python with PyVISA: resource strings, a first script, error queues, *OPC? sync, timeouts, binary data, and drivers.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[Jun 5, 2026] · Instrument automationRun Hardware Tests in CI with GitHub ActionsHardware-in-the-loop CI in GitHub Actions: a self-hosted runner on the bench PC, pytest instrument fixtures, firmware flashing, JUnit results, safe teardown.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[May 30, 2026] · Test evidenceISO/IEC 17025 Records for Automated BenchesWhat ISO/IEC 17025:2017 asks of technical records, and how an automated bench meets it: raw data, equipment identity, personnel, method revision, uncertainty.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read
[May 29, 2026] · IndustriesPhotonics Test Automation with Python and SCPIAutomate an optical bench from Python: tunable laser sweeps, triggered power meter logging, insertion loss, Mueller-method PDL, return loss and OSA traces.Alex Hernandez · 14 min read