DSPACE CONTROL DESK---Automation

 You can automate dSPACE ControlDesk via Python by using its Automation API (COM interface) or by embedding Python scripts directly into ControlDesk instruments.

Here’s a complete guide to get you started.

1. Understanding the Automation Options

ControlDesk supports:

1. COM Automation API – Python can control ControlDesk externally via pywin32 on Windows.
2. Embedded Python Scripts – You can attach Python scripts to instruments inside ControlDesk for custom behavior.

2. External Automation via Python (COM API)

Installation Requirements

• ControlDesk installed with Automation API enabled.
• Python 3.x (Windows only for COM).
• Install pywin32:

Bash
pip install pywin32

Example: Connect to ControlDesk and Read/Write Variables

Python
import win32com.client

try:
    # Connect to ControlDesk application
    cd = win32com.client.Dispatch("ControlDesk.Application")
    print("Connected to ControlDesk:", cd.Version)

    # Get the experiment object
    experiment = cd.ActiveExperiment
    if experiment is None:
        raise RuntimeError("No active experiment found in ControlDesk.")

    # Example: Read a variable value
    var_name = "MyModel.Signal1"
    value = experiment.Variables.Item(var_name).Value
    print(f"Current value of {var_name}: {value}")

    # Example: Write a variable value
    experiment.Variables.Item(var_name).Value = 42
    print(f"Updated {var_name} to 42")

except Exception as e:
    print("Error communicating with ControlDesk:", e)

Notes:

• Variable names must match the ones in your experiment.
• ControlDesk must be running with the experiment loaded.
• You can also start ControlDesk from Python:

Python
cd = win32com.client.Dispatch("ControlDesk.Application")
cd.Visible = True

3. Embedded Python in ControlDesk Instruments

If you want automation inside ControlDesk:

1. Open your instrument (e.g., a button or display).
2. Go to Properties → Script.
3. Select Python as the script language.
4. Write your automation logic (e.g., reacting to button clicks, updating displays).

Example (inside ControlDesk instrument script):

Python
# This runs when the instrument event triggers
value = Variables["MyModel.Signal1"].Value
Variables["MyModel.Signal1"].Value = value + 1

4. Tips for Reliable Automation

• Always check if the experiment is loaded before accessing variables.
• Use try/except to handle COM errors.
• For high-speed data logging, consider ControlDesk Recorder API or RTI Data Logging instead of polling.

✅ If you want, I can give you a full Python automation template that:

• Starts ControlDesk
• Loads an experiment
• Reads/writes multiple variables
• Logs data to CSV in real time

Do you want me to prepare that?