LINCam Python Interface

The LINCamRemote class provides remote control of the LINCam TCSPC camera over gRPC. It communicates with the LINCam Capture desktop application, which must be running and accessible on the network.

Connection

from photonscore.LINCam.LINCamRemote import LINCamRemote

# Connect to LINCam Capture running on the same machine
cam = LINCamRemote()                      # default: localhost:50051

# Or connect to a remote host
cam = LINCamRemote("192.168.1.42:50051")

After construction the object immediately synchronises with the device, so all status properties are available right away.

Quick Start

from photonscore.LINCam.LINCamRemote import LINCamRemote
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

cam = LINCamRemote()
print(cam)                          # show live count rates and settings

# Point the device at the right hardware unit
cam.device_url = "192.168.1.10:5000"
cam.tdc_slopes = "//"               # rising edge on start and stop
cam.photocathode_on = True
cam.sync()                          # push changes and refresh status

# Acquire a 512×512 spatial image
cam.sync_histograms(xy_bins=512)
plt.imshow(cam.hist_2d)
plt.colorbar()
plt.show()

Settings Diff Pattern

Every settable property stages a change locally. Nothing is sent to the device until you call sync(). After sync() all read-only status properties (count rates, temperatures, …) are refreshed.

cam.time_gate = [10.0, 50.0]   # gate from 10 ns to 50 ns
cam.time_binnig = 50           # 50 ps / channel
cam.sync()                     # commit both changes in one RPC call
print(cam.acquired_cps)        # now reflects gated count rate

Device Handle

options: show_root_heading: true show_root_toc_entry: true heading_level: 3 members:

• __init__
• sync
• sync_histograms
• setup_recording

Device Controls

Properties that configure device behaviour. Stage changes then call sync().

options: show_root_heading: false heading_level: 4 members:

• device_url
• photocathode_on
• tdc_slopes
• tdc_start_rise
• tdc_stop_rise
• stop_threshold
• stop_zero_cross
• test_generator

Timing

options: show_root_heading: false heading_level: 4 members:

• time_offset
• time_binnig
• time_gate
• time_gate_on
• time_gate_a
• time_gate_b

Position Transform

A 2-D affine transform can be applied to the XY positions of the spatial image, letting you rotate, translate, or scale it. There are two independent transforms:

• position_transform — view only: transforms the displayed and

downloaded histograms (see sync_histograms). Recorded photon data is not affected, and other connected clients are not affected. Resets to identity when LINCam Capture restarts.

• position_transform_device — applied in the camera driver to the

photon stream itself, so it affects recorded photon data and every connected client alike. Resets to identity on driver restart.

Both use the same matrix layout shown below.

The matrix is a 2×3 affine, stored column-major as [m00, m10, m01, m11, m02, m12]. Build one with the Transform2D helper, whose operations chain so the last one is applied to the point first. The image spans 0…4095 on both axes, so rotations are usually composed about the centre (2048, 2048):

from photonscore import Transform2D

# Rotate the image by 10 degrees about its centre
cam.position_transform = (
  Transform2D().move(2048, 2048).rotate(10).move(-2048, -2048))
cam.sync()

cam.sync_histograms(xy_bins=512)   # cam.hist_2d is now rotated

# A plain 6-element sequence works too; identity resets the view
cam.position_transform = [1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0]
cam.sync()

# To transform the photon stream itself (recordings + all clients),
# use the device transform with the same matrix layout:
cam.position_transform_device = (
  Transform2D().move(2048, 2048).rotate(10).move(-2048, -2048))
cam.sync()

options: show_root_heading: false heading_level: 4 members:

• position_transform
• position_transform_device

Transform2D

options: show_root_heading: true heading_level: 4 members:

• move
• rotate
• rotate_radians
• scale
• apply
• map

Recording

cam.setup_recording("/data/run01", filenumber=0, seconds=10)
cam.is_recording = True
cam.sync()
# ... wait ...
cam.is_recording = False
cam.sync()

options: show_root_heading: false heading_level: 4 members:

• setup_recording
• is_recording

Status (Read-Only)

All status properties are updated on every sync() call.

options: show_root_heading: false heading_level: 4 members:

• device_connected
• device_sn
• device_uptime
• photocathode_on_status
• mcp_cps
• stop_cps
• acquired_cps
• fpga_temperature
• detector_temperature