National Instruments GPIB-USB-HS+

The National Instruments GPIB-USB-HS+ is a high-speed GPIB controller and analyzer that bridges IEEE 488 instruments to USB-equipped computers. It controls up to 14 GPIB instruments over a single USB connection, eliminating the need for traditional GPIB cabling and reducing system complexity. The device operates as both an instrument controller and portable GPIB analyzer, with plug-and-play installation requiring no external configuration or system restart.

– Technical Specifications

• Interface: IEEE 488.2 GPIB to USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
• GPIB Instruments Controlled: Up to 14 devices
• Data Transfer Rates:
– IEEE 488.1 (3-wire): Up to 1.83 MB/s
– HS488: Up to 7.92 MB/s
• Connectors: Standard IEEE 488 24-pin GPIB connector; USB Type A plug
• Power: USB bus-powered at +5 V — typical 80 mA, peak 500 mA
• Dimensions: 8.0 cm × 6.1 cm × 2.0 cm (153 g including cable)
• Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 55 °C
• Storage Temperature: -20 °C to 70 °C
• Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing
• Maximum Altitude: 2,000 m

– Key Features

• Supports both 3-wire and HS488 signaling protocols
• LED status indicators: green for USB 1.1 Full-Speed, amber for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, blinking for GPIB activity
• Fully compatible with NI-488.2 driver version 14.0 or later
• Backward compatible with USB 1.1 Full-Speed ports
• Indoor use only; Pollution Degree 2 per IEC 60664

– Typical Applications

• Automated test equipment (ATE) control over USB networks
• Portable GPIB bus analysis and troubleshooting
• Legacy instrument integration with modern computing platforms
• Multi-instrument synchronization in lab environments

– Compatibility & Integration

The GPIB-USB-HS+ requires NI-488.2 driver software (version 14.0 minimum) and operates on Windows platforms. It integrates with LabVIEW and other software environments supporting the NI-488.2 API. Direct GPIB cable replacement capability simplifies retrofit installations without hardware redesign.