Speaker
Description
NICOS (Networked Instrument COntrol System) has all components needed to easily
create an instrument control software. Due to the large number of configuration
options it can be tailored to individual instruments' requirements.
There is a script execution component, components to create a history of
measured data as well as of nearly all parameters of the instrument. A highly
configurable graphical user interface with a lot of different modules allows
instrument specific design. To display the status of the instrument the most
important instrument parameters may be displayed on a screen or via an internet
browser. A number of standard commands exist, and instrument specific commands
are possible.
Various middleware systems currently TACO, TANGO and EPICS as well as protocols
for plug-and-play integration of decoupled embedded systems, e.g. sample environments
and further measurement options are supported. A newly developed protocol for cross
facility integration of sample environment named SECoP has been integrated.
Nearly all components are written in Python which gives a high degree of platform
independence (Linux, Windows, macOS). It also allows easy implementation of new
features (devices, commands, data sinks, and GUI components). Python is also used
as the scripting language.
At the MLZ, NICOS is now in use at around 20 instruments. An international
collaboration with the SINQ at PSI and the ESS has started.
