some fixes

python_app/gui/app_window.py

@@ -15,9 +15,10 @@ import logging
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
 import sys
+import threading
 import traceback
 
-from PyQt6.QtCore import QObject, QTimer, pyqtSignal
+from PyQt6.QtCore import QTimer
 from PyQt6.QtGui import QTextCursor
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow, QMessageBox
 
@@ -58,33 +59,60 @@ def _panel_extra(details: str | None, once_key: str | None) -> dict[str, object]
     return {"panel_details": details, "panel_once_key": once_key}
 
 
-class _PanelLogBridge(QObject):
-    """Marshals log records from any thread onto the GUI thread for panel rendering.
+class _PanelLogBuffer:
+    """Thread-safe bounded buffer between logging handlers and the GUI flush timer.
 
-    A :class:`logging.Handler` can fire on a worker thread (readers, broadcaster),
-    but the log widget may only be touched on the GUI thread; emitting this queued
-    signal hands the record across safely (the GPIO-button pattern).
+    A :class:`logging.Handler` can fire on a worker thread (readers, broadcaster)
+    at a very high rate — e.g. the USB RX threads while the free-running sweep
+    streams. Posting one queued Qt event per record used to flood the GUI event
+    queue and keep the interface frozen long after a blocking operation finished
+    while the backlog rendered. Instead, records land in this bounded buffer and
+    a periodic GUI-side timer drains them in one batch; overflow drops the oldest
+    records and reports how many were lost.
     """
 
-    record = pyqtSignal(str, str, object, object)  # display level, message, details, once_key
+    _CAPACITY = 2000
+
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self._lock = threading.Lock()
+        self._entries: deque[tuple[str, str, str | None, str | None]] = deque(maxlen=self._CAPACITY)
+        self._dropped_count = 0
+
+    def append(self, level: str, text: str, details: str | None, once_key: str | None) -> None:
+        """Store one record, evicting the oldest when full (any thread)."""
+        with self._lock:
+            if len(self._entries) == self._CAPACITY:
+                self._dropped_count += 1
+            self._entries.append((level, text, details, once_key))
+
+    def drain(self) -> tuple[list[tuple[str, str, str | None, str | None]], int]:
+        """Return and clear all buffered records plus the overflow-drop count."""
+        with self._lock:
+            entries = list(self._entries)
+            self._entries.clear()
+            dropped_count = self._dropped_count
+            self._dropped_count = 0
+        return entries, dropped_count
 
 
 class _QtLogPanelHandler(logging.Handler):
     """Logging handler that forwards application log records to the GUI log panel."""
 
-    def __init__(self, bridge: _PanelLogBridge) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, buffer: _PanelLogBuffer) -> None:
         super().__init__()
-        self._bridge = bridge
+        self._buffer = buffer
 
     def emit(self, record: logging.LogRecord) -> None:
-        """Forward one record to the panel bridge, mapping WARNING to the short 'WARN'."""
+        """Buffer one record for the panel, mapping WARNING to the short 'WARN'."""
         try:
             display_level = "WARN" if record.levelname == "WARNING" else record.levelname
-            self._bridge.record.emit(
+            details = getattr(record, "panel_details", None)
+            once_key = getattr(record, "panel_once_key", None)
+            self._buffer.append(
                 display_level,
                 record.getMessage(),
-                getattr(record, "panel_details", None),
-                getattr(record, "panel_once_key", None),
+                details if isinstance(details, str) else None,
+                once_key if isinstance(once_key, str) else None,
             )
         except Exception:  # noqa: BLE001 - logging must never raise into the caller
             self.handleError(record)
@@ -145,23 +173,53 @@ class AppWindow(
         log_dir = self._project_root / "python_app/runtime/logs"
         configure_logging(level=DEFAULT_LOG_LEVEL, log_dir=log_dir, console=True)
         self._gui_logger = get_logger("gui")
-        self._log_panel_bridge = _PanelLogBridge()
-        self._log_panel_bridge.record.connect(self._on_log_record)
+        self._log_panel_buffer = _PanelLogBuffer()
 
     def _attach_log_panel(self) -> None:
         """Route application log records into the on-screen panel (widget now exists)."""
-        add_handler(_QtLogPanelHandler(self._log_panel_bridge))
+        add_handler(_QtLogPanelHandler(self._log_panel_buffer))
+        # One bounded flush per tick instead of one queued event per record: the
+        # panel can never flood the GUI event queue, no matter how chatty a
+        # DEBUG-level driver gets.
+        self._log_flush_timer = QTimer(self)
+        self._log_flush_timer.setInterval(100)
+        self._log_flush_timer.timeout.connect(self._flush_log_panel_buffer)
+        self._log_flush_timer.start()
 
-    def _on_log_record(self, level: str, text: str, details: object, once_key: object) -> None:
-        """Render one forwarded log record in the panel (always on the GUI thread)."""
-        if not hasattr(self, "_log_box"):
+    def _flush_log_panel_buffer(self) -> None:
+        """Render every buffered log record into the panel as one batched insert."""
+        entries, dropped_count = self._log_panel_buffer.drain()
+        if (not entries and not dropped_count) or not hasattr(self, "_log_box"):
             return
-        self._append_log_entry(
-            level,
-            text,
-            details=details if isinstance(details, str) else None,
-            once_key=once_key if isinstance(once_key, str) else None,
-        )
+
+        entry_htmls: list[str] = []
+        if dropped_count:
+            entry_htmls.append(
+                self._render_log_entry_html(
+                    "WARN",
+                    f"Log panel overflow: {dropped_count} record(s) dropped "
+                    "(they are still in the log file).",
+                )
+            )
+        error_seen = False
+        for level, text, details, once_key in entries:
+            if once_key is not None:
+                if once_key in self._logged_once_keys:
+                    continue
+                self._logged_once_keys.add(once_key)
+            entry_htmls.append(self._render_log_entry_html(level, text, details))
+            error_seen = error_seen or level.upper() == "ERROR"
+
+        if not entry_htmls:
+            return
+        cursor = self._log_box.textCursor()
+        cursor.movePosition(QTextCursor.MoveOperation.End)
+        self._log_box.setTextCursor(cursor)
+        self._log_box.insertHtml("".join(entry_htmls))
+        self._log_box.insertPlainText("\n")
+        self._log_box.ensureCursorVisible()
+        if error_seen and hasattr(self, "_status_label"):
+            self._status_label.setText("Status: error")
 
     def _init_runtime_services(self) -> None:
         """Initialize long-lived service objects used by mixins."""
@@ -266,6 +324,10 @@ class AppWindow(
     def _init_capture_state(self) -> None:
         """Initialize one-shot capture and sequence-control flags."""
         self._capture_session: SequentialCaptureSession | MultiRadarSequentialCaptureSession | None = None
+        # Guards the blocking per-combo capture against duplicate requests, and keeps
+        # the dialog's action buttons disabled until the post-capture input backlog
+        # is dropped (see AppWindowPreprocessMixin._begin/_end_preprocess_capture).
+        self._preprocess_capture_busy = False
         self._resume_pipeline_after_capture = False
         self._single_capture_active = False
         self._single_capture_start_ns: int | None = None
@@ -551,20 +613,8 @@ class AppWindow(
         """Return full chained traceback for error dialogs and log details."""
         return "".join(traceback.TracebackException.from_exception(exc).format(chain=True)).strip()
 
-    def _append_log_entry(
-        self,
-        level: str,
-        text: str,
-        *,
-        details: str | None = None,
-        once_key: str | None = None,
-    ) -> None:
-        """Append formatted log entry with timestamp and optional details."""
-        if once_key is not None:
-            if once_key in self._logged_once_keys:
-                return
-            self._logged_once_keys.add(once_key)
-
+    def _render_log_entry_html(self, level: str, text: str, details: str | None = None) -> str:
+        """Render one log entry as the panel's HTML block."""
         level_upper = level.upper()
         palette = {
             "DEBUG": ("#6c7b8d", "#52627a", "#8a97a8"),
@@ -586,16 +636,30 @@ class AppWindow(
                 "<pre style='margin:3px 0 0 16px; color:"
                 f"{detail_color};'>{html.escape(details)}</pre>"
             )
+        return "<div style='margin:0 0 6px 0;'>" + "".join(body_parts) + "</div>"
+
+    def _append_log_entry(
+        self,
+        level: str,
+        text: str,
+        *,
+        details: str | None = None,
+        once_key: str | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        """Append formatted log entry with timestamp and optional details."""
+        if once_key is not None:
+            if once_key in self._logged_once_keys:
+                return
+            self._logged_once_keys.add(once_key)
 
-        entry_html = "<div style='margin:0 0 6px 0;'>" + "".join(body_parts) + "</div>"
         cursor = self._log_box.textCursor()
         cursor.movePosition(QTextCursor.MoveOperation.End)
         self._log_box.setTextCursor(cursor)
-        self._log_box.insertHtml(entry_html)
+        self._log_box.insertHtml(self._render_log_entry_html(level, text, details))
         self._log_box.insertPlainText("\n")
         self._log_box.ensureCursorVisible()
 
-        if level_upper == "ERROR" and hasattr(self, "_status_label"):
+        if level.upper() == "ERROR" and hasattr(self, "_status_label"):
             self._status_label.setText("Status: error")
 
     def _on_log_level_selected(self, level_text: str) -> None:

python_app/gui/controllers/app_window_preprocess_mixin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from PyQt6.QtCore import QTimer
+
 from python_app.gui.preprocess_dialog import PreprocessDialog
 from python_app.gui.trace_png_export import export_trace_png
 from python_app.orchestration.preprocess_assets import (
@@ -519,13 +521,23 @@ class AppWindowPreprocessMixin:
         if session is None:
             self._show_error("No active capture sequence")
             return
+        # The capture blocks the event loop, so clicks made during it are delivered
+        # only after it finishes. `_begin_preprocess_capture` disables the action
+        # buttons for that whole window (re-enabled via a posted event), so a queued
+        # click lands on a disabled button instead of silently starting — and
+        # advancing the combo cursor of — another capture.
+        if not self._begin_preprocess_capture():
+            return
 
         try:
-            capture_result = session.capture_current_combo()
-        except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001
-            self._on_capture_combo_failed(session, exc)
-            return
-        self._record_preprocess_capture(session, capture_result)
+            try:
+                capture_result = session.capture_current_combo()
+            except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001
+                self._on_capture_combo_failed(session, exc)
+                return
+            self._record_preprocess_capture(session, capture_result)
+        finally:
+            self._end_preprocess_capture()
 
     def _capture_all_remaining(self) -> None:
         """Capture all remaining combos for the active preprocess session."""
@@ -539,6 +551,8 @@ class AppWindowPreprocessMixin:
                 details=self._capture_state_details(),
             )
             return
+        if not self._begin_preprocess_capture():
+            return
 
         display_name = preprocess_asset_display_name(session.kind)
         dialog = self._ensure_preprocess_dialog()
@@ -547,13 +561,40 @@ class AppWindowPreprocessMixin:
             f"{display_name} batch capture started: remaining="
             f"{session.state().total_count - session.state().captured_count}"
         )
-        while not session.is_complete():
-            try:
-                capture_result = session.capture_current_combo()
-            except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001
-                self._on_capture_combo_failed(session, exc)
-                return
-            self._record_preprocess_capture(session, capture_result)
+        try:
+            while not session.is_complete():
+                try:
+                    capture_result = session.capture_current_combo()
+                except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001
+                    self._on_capture_combo_failed(session, exc)
+                    return
+                self._record_preprocess_capture(session, capture_result)
+        finally:
+            self._end_preprocess_capture()
+
+    def _begin_preprocess_capture(self) -> bool:
+        """Mark a blocking combo capture as running; refuse when one already is.
+
+        Returns False for a duplicate request (e.g. a click delivered while an
+        error dialog inside a capture pumps the event loop).
+        """
+        if self._preprocess_capture_busy:
+            self._log("Preprocess combo capture already in progress; ignoring duplicate request.")
+            return False
+        self._preprocess_capture_busy = True
+        # Disable the sequence action buttons for the whole blocked window.
+        self._update_capture_dialog_state()
+        return True
+
+    def _end_preprocess_capture(self) -> None:
+        """Re-enable capture actions after the pending input backlog is discarded.
+
+        The zero-delay timer fires only after Qt has dispatched the window-system
+        events queued while the capture blocked the loop; those clicks hit the
+        still-disabled buttons and are dropped, then the buttons come back.
+        """
+        self._preprocess_capture_busy = False
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, self._update_capture_dialog_state)
 
     def _on_capture_combo_failed(
         self,
@@ -817,6 +858,10 @@ class AppWindowPreprocessMixin:
                 and state.current_combo is not None
             ),
             variant_count=state.variant_count,
+            # While a blocking capture is executing, every action stays disabled no
+            # matter what the session state allows: clicks queued during the freeze
+            # must land on disabled buttons (see `_end_preprocess_capture`).
+            actions_enabled=not self._preprocess_capture_busy,
         )
 
     def _cleanup_capture_session(self) -> None:

python_app/gui/preprocess_dialog.py

@@ -354,8 +354,14 @@ class PreprocessDialog(QDialog):
         can_finalize: bool,
         can_capture_all: bool,
         variant_count: int = 1,
+        actions_enabled: bool = True,
     ) -> None:
-        """Update sequence progress/status widgets."""
+        """Update sequence progress/status widgets.
+
+        With ``actions_enabled=False`` the progress labels still update but every
+        sequence action button is kept disabled — used while a blocking capture
+        runs, so input queued during the freeze cannot trigger another action.
+        """
         if kind is None:
             self._active_kind_label.setText("<none>")
             self._progress_label.setText("0 / 0")
@@ -368,13 +374,14 @@ class PreprocessDialog(QDialog):
             self._capture_all_button.setText("Capture All Remaining")
             return
 
+        actions_enabled = bool(actions_enabled)
         active_label = preprocess_asset_display_name(kind) if kind in PREPROCESS_ASSET_SPECS else kind
         self._active_kind_label.setText(active_label)
         self._progress_label.setText(f"{captured_count} / {total_count}")
-        self._undo_last_button.setEnabled(bool(can_undo))
-        self._save_sequence_button.setEnabled(bool(can_finalize))
-        self._capture_all_button.setEnabled(bool(can_capture_all))
-        self._abort_button.setEnabled(True)
+        self._undo_last_button.setEnabled(bool(can_undo) and actions_enabled)
+        self._save_sequence_button.setEnabled(bool(can_finalize) and actions_enabled)
+        self._capture_all_button.setEnabled(bool(can_capture_all) and actions_enabled)
+        self._abort_button.setEnabled(actions_enabled)
         self._capture_all_button.setText("Capture All Remaining")
         if next_input is None or next_output is None:
             self._combo_label.setText("<complete>")
@@ -384,7 +391,7 @@ class PreprocessDialog(QDialog):
             if int(variant_count) > 1:
                 combo_text += f" | radar configs={int(variant_count)}"
             self._combo_label.setText(combo_text)
-            self._capture_next_button.setEnabled(True)
+            self._capture_next_button.setEnabled(actions_enabled)
 
     def set_available_sets(self, available_sets: dict[str, list[str]]) -> None:
         """Replace combo-box choices for all preprocess assets."""

python_app/hardware_full/librevna_driver/transport/usb.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from contextlib import suppress
 import logging
 import threading
+import time
 from typing import Callable
 
 from ..exceptions import DeviceDisconnectedError, TimeoutError
@@ -44,6 +45,10 @@ class USBTransport:
         self._rx_thread: threading.Thread | None = None
         self._stop_event = threading.Event()
         self._tx_lock = threading.Lock()
+        # Aggregation window for the RX debug trace (see `_rx_loop`).
+        self._rx_debug_bytes = 0
+        self._rx_debug_chunks = 0
+        self._rx_debug_window_start = 0.0
 
         self.connected_serial: str | None = None
 
@@ -270,7 +275,27 @@ class USBTransport:
 
             if data:
                 if logger.isEnabledFor(logging.DEBUG):
-                    logger.debug("USB RX %d bytes", len(data))
+                    # Aggregate: the free-running datapoint stream completes bulk
+                    # reads hundreds of times per second, and a log record per chunk
+                    # floods every handler (file, stderr, and the GUI panel, which
+                    # marshals each record onto the GUI thread). One summary per
+                    # second keeps the throughput trace without the flood.
+                    self._rx_debug_bytes += len(data)
+                    self._rx_debug_chunks += 1
+                    now = time.monotonic()
+                    if self._rx_debug_window_start == 0.0:
+                        self._rx_debug_window_start = now
+                    elif now - self._rx_debug_window_start >= 1.0:
+                        logger.debug(
+                            "USB RX %d bytes in %d chunks over %.2f s (serial=%s)",
+                            self._rx_debug_bytes,
+                            self._rx_debug_chunks,
+                            now - self._rx_debug_window_start,
+                            self.connected_serial,
+                        )
+                        self._rx_debug_bytes = 0
+                        self._rx_debug_chunks = 0
+                        self._rx_debug_window_start = now
                 self._on_data(bytes(data))
         logger.debug("USB RX thread stopped")
 

python_app/hardware_full/librevna_multi_device_driver/transport.py

@@ -15,6 +15,17 @@ from python_app.hardware_full.librevna_multi_device_driver.protocol import Packe
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+# The sweep free-runs by design, so devices stream datapoints continuously even
+# while no acquisition is consuming them (e.g. an operator pausing between manual
+# combo captures). An unbounded queue then grows without limit — hundreds of MB
+# over a few minutes — and the next acquisition's drain spends seconds discarding
+# the backlog on the GUI thread. Bound the queue and drop the OLDEST packet on
+# overflow: every acquisition drains stale packets before collecting anyway, and
+# whenever packets actually matter (ACK waits, cycle collection) a consumer is
+# already pulling, so the queue never approaches the bound. Sized to hold many
+# full sweeps of datapoints with a wide margin.
+_RECEIVED_PACKET_QUEUE_MAX = 32768
+
 
 class LibreVnaUsbBulkConnection:
     """Minimal packet transport for one LibreVNA device."""
@@ -29,7 +40,9 @@ class LibreVnaUsbBulkConnection:
             raise ValueError("serial_number is required for multi-device acquisition")
         self.serial_number = serial_number
         self._scanner = FrameScanner()
-        self._received_packets: queue.Queue[tuple[int, bytes]] = queue.Queue()
+        self._received_packets: queue.Queue[tuple[int, bytes]] = queue.Queue(
+            maxsize=_RECEIVED_PACKET_QUEUE_MAX
+        )
         self._fatal_error: Exception | None = None
         self._fatal_lock = threading.Lock()
         self._transport = USBTransport(
@@ -108,7 +121,20 @@ class LibreVnaUsbBulkConnection:
             logger.warning("Dropping unparseable USB chunk from %s: %s", self.serial_number, exc)
             return
         for packet in packets:
-            self._received_packets.put((int(packet.type), bytes(packet.payload)))
+            entry = (int(packet.type), bytes(packet.payload))
+            while True:
+                try:
+                    self._received_packets.put_nowait(entry)
+                    break
+                except queue.Full:
+                    # Blocking here would stall the USB read thread; discard the
+                    # oldest packet instead — stale data is what the pre-collect
+                    # drain throws away anyway. Racing a concurrent consumer just
+                    # means the queue already has room again.
+                    try:
+                        self._received_packets.get_nowait()
+                    except queue.Empty:
+                        pass
 
     def _on_disconnect(self, exc: Exception) -> None:
         """Record an asynchronous transport disconnect as the fatal error."""

python_app/hardware_full/switched_matrix_radar_service.py

@@ -83,42 +83,8 @@ class SwitchedMatrixRadarService:
 
         for out_k in range(out_steps):
             for in_k in range(in_steps):
-                step_start_ns = time.monotonic_ns()
-                if self.output_switch is not None:
-                    self.output_switch.switch_to(out_k)
-                if self.input_switch is not None:
-                    self.input_switch.switch_to(in_k)
-                switched_ns = time.monotonic_ns()
-                # Settle AFTER the last switch change and BEFORE collecting, so the
-                # cycle we anchor on starts with the RF path already stable.
-                if self.settling_ms > 0:
-                    time.sleep(self.settling_ms / 1000.0)
-                settled_ns = time.monotonic_ns()
-
-                sub = self.inner.acquire_collection(collection_id)
-                inner_end_ns = time.monotonic_ns()
-                logger.debug(
-                    "timing: collection %d step out=%d in=%d | gap_prev_collect_to_switch=%s ms, "
-                    "switch=%.3f ms, settle=%.2f ms, inner_collect=%.2f ms",
-                    collection_id,
-                    out_k,
-                    in_k,
-                    (
-                        f"{(step_start_ns - self._last_inner_end_ns) / 1e6:.2f}"
-                        if self._last_inner_end_ns
-                        else "n/a"
-                    ),
-                    (switched_ns - step_start_ns) / 1e6,
-                    (settled_ns - switched_ns) / 1e6,
-                    (inner_end_ns - settled_ns) / 1e6,
-                )
-                self._last_inner_end_ns = inner_end_ns
-                for trace in sub.traces:
-                    input_pos = in_k * self.inner_input_positions + int(trace.combo.input)
-                    output_pos = out_k * self.inner_output_positions + int(trace.combo.output)
-                    slots[output_pos * total_inputs + input_pos] = replace(
-                        trace, combo=ComboKey(input=input_pos, output=output_pos)
-                    )
+                for trace in self._acquire_step_traces(out_k, in_k, collection_id):
+                    slots[trace.combo.output * total_inputs + trace.combo.input] = trace
 
         if any(trace is None for trace in slots):
             missing = sum(1 for trace in slots if trace is None)
@@ -134,6 +100,89 @@ class SwitchedMatrixRadarService:
             capture_end_ns=time.monotonic_ns(),
         )
 
+    def acquire_combo_collection(
+        self,
+        *,
+        input_pos: int,
+        output_pos: int,
+        collection_id: int = 1,
+    ) -> SweepCollection:
+        """Acquire only the physical switch step that carries one widened combo.
+
+        The per-combo capture workflows need a single trace at a time; sweeping
+        every switch position for that (a full ``acquire_collection``) multiplies
+        the capture time by the number of physical steps and freezes the caller
+        for the whole sweep. One widened combo lives entirely inside one
+        (out_k, in_k) step, so acquiring just that step is sufficient. The result
+        contains that step's traces with widened combo keys, including the
+        requested combo.
+        """
+        out_steps = self.output_switch.position_count() if self.output_switch is not None else 1
+        in_steps = self.input_switch.position_count() if self.input_switch is not None else 1
+        total_inputs = in_steps * self.inner_input_positions
+        total_outputs = out_steps * self.inner_output_positions
+        if not (0 <= int(input_pos) < total_inputs and 0 <= int(output_pos) < total_outputs):
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Widened combo out of range: input={input_pos} (of {total_inputs}), "
+                f"output={output_pos} (of {total_outputs})"
+            )
+
+        capture_start_ns = time.monotonic_ns()
+        out_k = int(output_pos) // self.inner_output_positions
+        in_k = int(input_pos) // self.inner_input_positions
+        traces = self._acquire_step_traces(out_k, in_k, collection_id)
+        return SweepCollection(
+            collection_id=int(collection_id),
+            monotonic_ns=time.monotonic_ns(),
+            traces=traces,
+            capture_start_ns=capture_start_ns,
+            capture_end_ns=time.monotonic_ns(),
+        )
+
+    def _acquire_step_traces(self, out_k: int, in_k: int, collection_id: int) -> list[TraceData]:
+        """Drive both switches to one step, settle, and collect its widened traces."""
+        step_start_ns = time.monotonic_ns()
+        if self.output_switch is not None:
+            self.output_switch.switch_to(out_k)
+        if self.input_switch is not None:
+            self.input_switch.switch_to(in_k)
+        switched_ns = time.monotonic_ns()
+        # Settle AFTER the last switch change and BEFORE collecting, so the
+        # cycle we anchor on starts with the RF path already stable.
+        if self.settling_ms > 0:
+            time.sleep(self.settling_ms / 1000.0)
+        settled_ns = time.monotonic_ns()
+
+        sub = self.inner.acquire_collection(collection_id)
+        inner_end_ns = time.monotonic_ns()
+        logger.debug(
+            "timing: collection %d step out=%d in=%d | gap_prev_collect_to_switch=%s ms, "
+            "switch=%.3f ms, settle=%.2f ms, inner_collect=%.2f ms",
+            collection_id,
+            out_k,
+            in_k,
+            (
+                f"{(step_start_ns - self._last_inner_end_ns) / 1e6:.2f}"
+                if self._last_inner_end_ns
+                else "n/a"
+            ),
+            (switched_ns - step_start_ns) / 1e6,
+            (settled_ns - switched_ns) / 1e6,
+            (inner_end_ns - settled_ns) / 1e6,
+        )
+        self._last_inner_end_ns = inner_end_ns
+        return [
+            replace(
+                trace,
+                combo=ComboKey(
+                    input=in_k * self.inner_input_positions + int(trace.combo.input),
+                    output=out_k * self.inner_output_positions + int(trace.combo.output),
+                ),
+            )
+            for trace in sub.traces
+        ]
+
+
 def build_physical_switch(
     model: SwitchModel,
     physical_positions: int,

python_app/tests/test_log_panel_buffer.py

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+"""Unit tests for the bounded GUI log-panel buffer.
+
+The buffer decouples logging handlers (any thread, potentially very chatty at
+DEBUG) from the GUI: records are batched by a flush timer instead of posting one
+queued Qt event per record, and overflow drops the oldest records with a count.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import unittest
+
+from python_app.gui.app_window import _PanelLogBuffer
+
+
+class PanelLogBufferTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Bounded capacity, oldest-first eviction, and accurate drop accounting."""
+
+    def test_drain_returns_entries_in_order_and_clears(self) -> None:
+        buffer = _PanelLogBuffer()
+        buffer.append("INFO", "first", None, None)
+        buffer.append("WARN", "second", "details", "key")
+
+        entries, dropped_count = buffer.drain()
+
+        self.assertEqual(dropped_count, 0)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            entries,
+            [("INFO", "first", None, None), ("WARN", "second", "details", "key")],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(buffer.drain(), ([], 0))
+
+    def test_overflow_drops_oldest_and_counts(self) -> None:
+        buffer = _PanelLogBuffer()
+        overflow = 100
+        total = _PanelLogBuffer._CAPACITY + overflow
+        for index in range(total):
+            buffer.append("DEBUG", f"m{index}", None, None)
+
+        entries, dropped_count = buffer.drain()
+
+        self.assertEqual(dropped_count, overflow)
+        self.assertEqual(len(entries), _PanelLogBuffer._CAPACITY)
+        self.assertEqual(entries[0][1], f"m{overflow}")
+        self.assertEqual(entries[-1][1], f"m{total - 1}")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

python_app/tests/test_switched_matrix_capture.py

@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+"""Unit tests for switch-widened matrix capture.
+
+Cover the targeted single-step acquisition on ``SwitchedMatrixRadarService`` and
+verify the manual per-combo capture workflow uses it instead of sweeping the full
+widened matrix (the regression that froze the GUI for the whole matrix per click).
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import time
+import unittest
+from unittest import mock
+
+import numpy as np
+
+from python_app.hardware_full.multi_device_service import MultiDeviceLibreVnaService
+from python_app.hardware_full.switched_matrix_radar_service import SwitchedMatrixRadarService
+from python_app.models.dataset_model import ComboKey, SweepCollection, TraceData
+from python_app.models.run_config_model import RunConfigModel
+from python_app.workflows.sequential_capture_workflow import SequentialCaptureSession
+
+_INNER_INPUTS = 4
+_INNER_OUTPUTS = 2
+_POINTS = 8
+
+
+class _FakeInnerMatrixRadar:
+    """Matrix radar stub emitting the canonical 2x4 combo set per acquisition."""
+
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.acquire_count = 0
+
+    def open(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def close(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def configure(self, sweep) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def recover(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def acquire_collection(self, collection_id: int = 1) -> SweepCollection:
+        self.acquire_count += 1
+        frequency_hz = np.linspace(1e6, 2e6, _POINTS, dtype=np.float32)
+        traces = [
+            TraceData(
+                combo=ComboKey(input=input_pos, output=output_pos),
+                frequency_hz=frequency_hz,
+                s11=np.full(_POINTS, complex(self.acquire_count, 0), dtype=np.complex64),
+                s21=np.full(_POINTS, complex(input_pos, output_pos), dtype=np.complex64),
+            )
+            for output_pos in range(_INNER_OUTPUTS)
+            for input_pos in range(_INNER_INPUTS)
+        ]
+        return SweepCollection(
+            collection_id=int(collection_id),
+            monotonic_ns=time.monotonic_ns(),
+            traces=traces,
+        )
+
+
+class _FakeSwitch:
+    """Switch stub recording every position it is driven to."""
+
+    def __init__(self, positions: int) -> None:
+        self.positions = positions
+        self.switched_to: list[int] = []
+
+    def open(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def close(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def position_count(self) -> int:
+        return self.positions
+
+    def switch_to(self, position: int) -> None:
+        self.switched_to.append(int(position))
+
+
+def _switched_service(input_steps: int = 3) -> tuple[SwitchedMatrixRadarService, _FakeInnerMatrixRadar, _FakeSwitch]:
+    inner = _FakeInnerMatrixRadar()
+    input_switch = _FakeSwitch(input_steps)
+    service = SwitchedMatrixRadarService(
+        inner=inner,
+        output_switch=None,
+        input_switch=input_switch,
+        inner_output_positions=_INNER_OUTPUTS,
+        inner_input_positions=_INNER_INPUTS,
+        settling_ms=0,
+    )
+    return service, inner, input_switch
+
+
+class SwitchedMatrixComboAcquisitionTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    """acquire_combo_collection must acquire exactly one physical switch step."""
+
+    def test_acquires_only_the_step_containing_the_combo(self) -> None:
+        service, inner, input_switch = _switched_service(input_steps=3)
+
+        # Widened input 9 lives in physical step 9 // 4 = 2.
+        collection = service.acquire_combo_collection(input_pos=9, output_pos=1)
+
+        self.assertEqual(inner.acquire_count, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(input_switch.switched_to, [2])
+        self.assertEqual(len(collection.traces), _INNER_INPUTS * _INNER_OUTPUTS)
+        combos = {(trace.combo.input, trace.combo.output) for trace in collection.traces}
+        self.assertIn((9, 1), combos)
+        # Every trace of the step is remapped into the widened axis of that step.
+        self.assertEqual(
+            combos,
+            {(2 * _INNER_INPUTS + i, o) for i in range(_INNER_INPUTS) for o in range(_INNER_OUTPUTS)},
+        )
+
+    def test_rejects_out_of_range_combo(self) -> None:
+        service, _inner, _input_switch = _switched_service(input_steps=3)
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            service.acquire_combo_collection(input_pos=12, output_pos=0)
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            service.acquire_combo_collection(input_pos=0, output_pos=2)
+
+    def test_full_collection_still_covers_widened_matrix_in_canonical_order(self) -> None:
+        service, inner, input_switch = _switched_service(input_steps=3)
+
+        collection = service.acquire_collection(collection_id=7)
+
+        self.assertEqual(inner.acquire_count, 3)
+        self.assertEqual(input_switch.switched_to, [0, 1, 2])
+        expected_combos = [
+            (input_pos, output_pos)
+            for output_pos in range(_INNER_OUTPUTS)
+            for input_pos in range(3 * _INNER_INPUTS)
+        ]
+        self.assertEqual(
+            [(trace.combo.input, trace.combo.output) for trace in collection.traces],
+            expected_combos,
+        )
+
+
+class ManualComboCaptureUsesTargetedAcquisitionTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    """The per-combo capture session must not sweep the full widened matrix."""
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _switched_mock_config() -> RunConfigModel:
+        config = RunConfigModel()
+        config.radar.model = RunConfigModel.LIBREVNA_MULTI_MODEL
+        config.radar.driver_mode = "mock"
+        config.radar.multi_device.slave_serials = ["SLAVE_A", "SLAVE_B"]
+        config.radar.multi_device.input_switch_positions = 3
+        config.apply_device_model_constraints()
+        return config
+
+    def test_manual_capture_runs_one_inner_collection_per_median_sweep(self) -> None:
+        config = self._switched_mock_config()
+        session = SequentialCaptureSession(
+            config=config,
+            kind="s21_calibration",
+            set_name="targeted_test",
+            median_sweep_count=2,
+        )
+        with mock.patch.object(
+            MultiDeviceLibreVnaService,
+            "acquire_collection",
+            autospec=True,
+            side_effect=MultiDeviceLibreVnaService.acquire_collection,
+        ) as inner_acquire:
+            session.open()
+            try:
+                trace = session.capture_current_combo()
+            finally:
+                session.close()
+
+        first_combo = config.combos[0]
+        self.assertEqual(
+            (trace.combo.input, trace.combo.output),
+            (first_combo.input, first_combo.output),
+        )
+        # 2 median sweeps of ONE physical step — not 2 x 3 full-matrix steps.
+        self.assertEqual(inner_acquire.call_count, 2)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

python_app/workflows/multi_radar_capture_workflow.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from python_app.workflows.radar_config_variants import RadarConfigVariant
 from python_app.workflows.sequential_capture_workflow import (
     MATRIX_RADAR_MANUAL_CAPTURE_KINDS,
     SequentialCaptureState,
+    acquire_matrix_combo_collection,
     combine_collections_via_median,
     combine_traces_via_median,
     select_trace_for_combo,
@@ -192,20 +193,27 @@ class MultiRadarSequentialCaptureSession:
                 self._radar.configure(variant.config.radar.sweep)
                 if self._base_config.runtime.settling_ms > 0:
                     time.sleep(self._base_config.runtime.settling_ms / 1000.0)
-                collections: list[SweepCollection] = []
-                for _ in range(self._median_sweep_count):
-                    collection = self._radar.acquire_collection(collection_id=1)
-                    if not collection.traces:
-                        raise RuntimeError(
-                            f"Matrix radar variant {variant.display_name} returned no traces"
-                        )
-                    collections.append(collection)
                 if self._manual_matrix_radar_capture:
-                    per_sweep_traces = [select_trace_for_combo(collection, combo) for collection in collections]
+                    # Only this combo is kept, so acquire the smallest collection
+                    # that contains it instead of the full (switch-widened) matrix.
+                    per_sweep_traces = [
+                        select_trace_for_combo(
+                            acquire_matrix_combo_collection(self._radar, combo), combo
+                        )
+                        for _ in range(self._median_sweep_count)
+                    ]
                     trace = combine_traces_via_median(per_sweep_traces)
                     pending_traces_by_radar_key[variant.radar_key] = [trace]
                     display_traces.append(trace)
                 else:
+                    collections: list[SweepCollection] = []
+                    for _ in range(self._median_sweep_count):
+                        collection = self._radar.acquire_collection(collection_id=1)
+                        if not collection.traces:
+                            raise RuntimeError(
+                                f"Matrix radar variant {variant.display_name} returned no traces"
+                            )
+                        collections.append(collection)
                     combined_collection = combine_collections_via_median(collections)
                     pending_traces_by_radar_key[variant.radar_key] = list(combined_collection.traces)
                     display_traces.append(combined_collection.traces[-1])

python_app/workflows/sequential_capture_workflow.py

@@ -156,20 +156,27 @@ class SequentialCaptureSession:
             raise RuntimeError("Capture session is already complete")
 
         if self._is_matrix_radar:
-            collections: list[SweepCollection] = []
-            for _ in range(self._median_sweep_count):
-                collection = self._radar.acquire_collection(collection_id=1)
-                if not collection.traces:
-                    raise RuntimeError("Matrix radar capture returned no traces")
-                collections.append(collection)
             if self._manual_matrix_radar_capture:
-                per_sweep_traces = [select_trace_for_combo(collection, combo) for collection in collections]
+                # Only this combo is kept, so acquire the smallest collection that
+                # contains it instead of the full (switch-widened) matrix.
+                per_sweep_traces = [
+                    select_trace_for_combo(
+                        acquire_matrix_combo_collection(self._radar, combo), combo
+                    )
+                    for _ in range(self._median_sweep_count)
+                ]
                 trace = combine_traces_via_median(per_sweep_traces)
                 self._traces.append(trace)
                 self._next_index += 1
                 logger.debug("Captured matrix combo input=%d output=%d", combo.input, combo.output)
                 return trace
 
+            collections: list[SweepCollection] = []
+            for _ in range(self._median_sweep_count):
+                collection = self._radar.acquire_collection(collection_id=1)
+                if not collection.traces:
+                    raise RuntimeError("Matrix radar capture returned no traces")
+                collections.append(collection)
             combined_collection = combine_collections_via_median(collections)
             self._traces.extend(combined_collection.traces)
             self._next_index = len(self._combos)
@@ -301,6 +308,32 @@ class SequentialCaptureSession:
         return self._combos[self._next_index]
 
 
+def acquire_matrix_combo_collection(
+    radar: MatrixRadarService,
+    combo: ComboModel,
+    collection_id: int = 1,
+) -> SweepCollection:
+    """Acquire the smallest matrix collection that contains one combo.
+
+    A switch-widened matrix radar (``SwitchedMatrixRadarService``) can acquire just
+    the physical switch step carrying the combo, which is several times faster than
+    the full matrix and keeps the per-combo capture UI responsive. Plain matrix
+    radars expose only full-matrix acquisition, so they fall back to it.
+    """
+    acquire_combo = getattr(radar, "acquire_combo_collection", None)
+    if callable(acquire_combo):
+        collection = acquire_combo(
+            input_pos=int(combo.input),
+            output_pos=int(combo.output),
+            collection_id=collection_id,
+        )
+    else:
+        collection = radar.acquire_collection(collection_id=collection_id)
+    if not collection.traces:
+        raise RuntimeError("Matrix radar capture returned no traces")
+    return collection
+
+
 def select_trace_for_combo(collection: SweepCollection, combo: ComboModel) -> TraceData:
     """Return the trace matching a virtual combo from a full multi-device capture."""
     for trace in collection.traces: