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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : GP-IB  instrument  bus IEEE 488

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zeitfest
Guru

Joined: 31/07/2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 622
Posted: 01:28am 20 Feb 2021
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Anyone using GPIB (IEEE 488) ? It is an old computer-instrument connection bus which was common, a lot of goodies on ebay. I am wondering if it is used a lot still, it looks fairly capable (edit) albeit slow. overview
Edited 2021-02-20 11:32 by zeitfest
 
robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2466
Posted: 02:23am 20 Feb 2021
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see this thread:
https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?FID=16&TID=12943


cheers,
rob   :-)
 
RetroJoe

Senior Member

Joined: 06/08/2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 290
Posted: 11:05am 20 Feb 2021
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We used H-P test gear and HP-IB exclusively for test automation when I worked at Northern Telecom. Like RS-232, HP-IB (aka GPIB aka IEEE 488) is an indestructible, if a little quirky, specification. Those stackable Centronic-type connectors look like they could withstand a nuclear blast!

Among my prized retro possessions is a vintage HP-85 computer that still works perfectly - even the tape drive after I repaired the capstan with some surgical tubing!

One of the challenges is getting software into it, and I do have both the serial and HP-IB interface cards for it, so some sort of terminal transfer is probably the way to go if I ever have the time. I also have the "ROM Drawer", and I picked up a cheap EPROM burner on eBay recently, so maybe that will be the direction I go.

In any case, please keep us posted on your HP-IB adventures!
Enjoy Every Sandwich / Joe P.
 
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