USB/LPCI-3488A
High-Performance IEEE-488 GPIB Interface for USB/PCI
Introduction
The IEEE-488 standard, also known as GPIB, is a bus interface that connects instruments with a computer to
form an ATE system. GPIB was initially developed by Hewlett Packard and was recognized as an IEEE
standard in 1978. The IEEE-488.1-1978 standard defines the convention for electrical and mechanical bus
characteristics, as well as the state diagram for each bus function. In 1987, another standard was derived
from the original IEEE-488.1-1978 and known as IEEE-488.2-1978. It was introduced to define data formats,
common commands, and control protocols for instruments. In general, IEEE-488.1 defines hardware
specifications, and IEEE-488.2 defines software specifications. The IEEE-488 standard has been widely
accepted by instrument vendors over the past few decades. Today, GPIB is still the most popular interface
between computer and instruments.
Instrument A
Able to Talk,
Listen and Control
ex: Computer
USB-3488A
Instrument B
Able to Talk
and to Listen
ex: Oscilloscoae
Instrument C
Able to Listen
ex: Function
Generator
LPCI-3488A
EOI
IFC
SRQ
ATN
REN
DAV
NRFD
NDAC
5system
Management
lines
Features
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Fully compatible with the IEEE-488 standard
Supports a 32-bit 3.3 V or 5 V PCI bus
Up to 1.5 MB/s data transfer rates
Built-in FIFO for read/write operations
Provides APIs compatible with NI-488.2 driver software*
Supports industrial-standard VISA library
Interactive utility for testing and diagnostics
Easy GPIB connectively for laptop computer (USB-3488A)
Plug and Play interface; No GPIB cable required for
instrument connection (USB-3488A)
■
2 M USB cable attached (USB-3488A)
■
USB 2.0 compatible (USB-3488A)
■
No external power required (USB-3488A)
•
Supports Windows 7/Vista/2000/XP/Server 2003
•
VB/VC++/BCB
•
LabVIEW*
•
LabWindow/CVI*
DI01-8
Instrument A
Able to Talk,
Listen and Control
ex: Computer
3 handshake
lines
Handshake and data signals on the GPIB
EOI
IFC
SRQ
ATN
REN
Instrument B
Able to Talk
and to Listen
ex: Oscilloscoae
Instrument C
Able to Listen
ex: Function
bus
Generator
8 data lines
5system
Management
lines
Instrument C
Instrument D
DAV
NRFD
NDAC
DI01-8
3 handshake
lines
8 data lines
Handshake and data signals on the GPIB bus
Instrument C
Instrument B
Instrument A
Instrument C
Linear instrument connection
Instrument C
Instrument B
Instrument A
Star instrument connection
■ Operating
Systems
■ Recommended
Software
ADLINK's USB-3488A and LPCI-3488A controller interface cards are fully compatible with the
IEEE-488.2 instrumentation control and communication standard and are capable of controlling up to
14 stand-alone instruments via IEEE-488 cables. The USB-3488A and LPCI-3488A are designed to meet
ADLINK GPIB Data Xfer Rate (Small Block Data)
ADLINK GPIB Data Xfer Rate (Large Block Data)
the requirements for high performance and maximum programming portability. The USB-3488A and
1600
1000
LPCI-3488A is developed using ADLINK's intellectual property in FPGAs which incorporates a GPIB controller,
1400
Linear instrument connection
Star instrument connection
800
provides capability, and supports a transfer rate up to 1.5 MB/s. With APIs that are compatible with NI-488.2*
1200
driver software and VISA support, the USB-3488A and LPCI-3488A offer the best compatibility with
1000
600
your existing applications and instrument drivers
800
400
Instrument B
Instrument A
600
ADLINK GPIB Data Xfer Rate (Small Block Data)
200
1000
0
800
600
400
200
0
ADLINK GPIB Data Xfer Rate (Large Block Data)
400
200
1600
0
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
200
400
600
800
1000
Block Size (Bytes)
Block Size (KBytes)
200
400
600
800
1000
Block Size (Bytes)
Block Size (KBytes)
Performance
ADLINK's expertise in PCI and PXI interface cards was leveraged when developing these newly designed
GPIB interface cards. The LPCI-3488A, which is the low-profile PCI form factor, supports both 3.3 V and 5 V PCI
buses and can be adapted to most industrial and desktop computers. A built-in FIFO is placed between the
GPIB bus and PCI controller to buffer GPIB read/write operations. This FIFO eliminates the gap between the
slow GPIB bus (~1.5 MB/s) and the fast PCI bus (132 MB/s), the maximum GPIB transfer rates of LPCI-3488A
is 1.5 MB/s, and dramatically increases overall system performance.
5-1
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Instrument D
Instrument B
Instrument A
Data Xfer Rate (KB/s)
Data Xfer Rate (KB/s)
Data Xfer Rate (KB/s)
Data Xfer Rate (KB/s)
GPIB Communications
Fully Compatible with Your Existing Applications
ADLINK GPIB interface cards are delivered with complete software support, including a driver API that is fully binary compatible with NI-488.2* driver software. All programs
written based on GPIB-32.DLL can be executed with USB-3488A and LPCI-3488A without any modification. VISA library is also supported to ensure compatibility with
applications utilizing VISA. The ADLINK USB-3488A and LPCI-3488A thus provides the “Plug and Play” compatibility with all your existing applications.
How do ADLINK's GPIB Interface Cards Work?
Microsoft VC++/VB
The objective of a test and measurement application is to test a specific UUT (Unit Under Test)
NI LabVIEW*
ADE
automatically. A typical automatic testing system includes testing programs and various testing
NI LabWindows/CVI*
Agilent VEEPro
equipment connected to the host computer via a GPIB interface. To manage the connections with
GPIB instruments, testing programs are usually developed according to the following model: ADEs
Direct invocation
Using existing
(Application Development Environments), the environment where applications are written. Some
to GPIB driver API
instrument drivers
VISA
ADEs are popular because users can implement any function needed using textual programming
functions
via VISA in ADE
(ex. VC++/VB, TestExec) or graphical programming (ex. LabVIEW™*) techniques. A vital part of
a test and measurement application is to control and communicate with GPIB instruments. Two
Native driver API
Driver API
to provide IEEE-
techniques are generally used to control the GPIB interface: invoke the native driver API or use
488 functions
(GPIB-32.DLL)
the existing instrument drivers via VISA. A native driver API is provided by most GPIB interface
vendors and is usually in the form of ANSI C functions. For users who need more detailed control
ADLINK USB-3488A
ADLINK LPCI-3488A
over GPIB instruments, using a driver API with SCPI string commands is a good choice. For others
Agilent 82350B
who want to keep away from complicated instrument commands, instrument drivers developed
GPIB Cards
NI PCI-GPIB*
...
for specific ADEs (ex. LabVIEW™*/TestExec) can significantly simplify the complexity of instrument
control. Most of the instrument drivers use a VISA library to control the GPIB interface and
communicate with instruments. VISA support is essential in this case. ADLINK GPIB interface cards
work with your applications in both ways. Its GPIB-32.DLL provides binary compatibility with the popular NI-488.2* driver software. The USB-3488A and LPCI-3488A also
provide VISA library support that can be used with most common instrument drivers written by instrument vendors. Regardless if you are using VC++, VB, Delphi, LabVIEW™*,
or any other T&M ADE, ADLINK GPIB interface cards are the most cost-effective GPIB solutions compatible with all your applications.
Specifications
■
Ordering Information
• Up to 14 instruments connected
• Maximum 1.5 MB/s data transfer rate
• Cable length
-2 meters between each instrument (suggested)
-20 meters total cable length
• Data transfer mode: 8 bits parallel
• Handshake: 3 wire handshake, reception of each data byte is
acknowledged
• EMC/EMI: CE, FCC Class A
• VB/VC++/BCB
• LabVIEW™*
• LabVIEW™/CVI*
• Ready: Green for active device
• Active blinking amber for transferring data
• I/O connector : IEEE-488 standard 24-pin
• Operating temperature : 0°C to 55°C
• Storage temperature : -20°C to 80°C
• Relative humidity : 5% to 95%, non-condensing
• Power requirements
• LPCI-3488A
• USB-3488A
+5 V
250 mA (typical)
300 mA (maximum)
+5 V
190 mA (typical)
500 mA (maximum)
GPIB Bus Specifications
■
USB-3488A
High-Performance IEEE-488 GPIB interface
for USB
■
LPCI-3488A
High-Performance IEEE-488 GPIB interface
card for low-profile PCI bus, shipped with an
additional low-profile bracket.
■
ACL-IEEE488-1
IEEE-488 standard cable, 1 meter length
■
ACL-IEEE488-2
IEEE-488 standard cable, 2 meter length
■
ACL-IEEE488-4
IEEE-488 standard cable, 4 meter length
■
ACL-IEEE488-8
IEEE-488 standard cable, 8 meter length
Product names mentioned herein are used for
identification purposes only and may be trademarks and/
or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
*NI, LabVIEW, and LabWindows CVI are trademarks
or registered trademarks of National Instruments
Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and
other countries.
■
■
Certifications
Programming Interface
■
External Indicators (USB-3488A)
General Specifications
■
■
Dimensions (not including connectors) :
I/O Connectors
Driver Compatibility
■
■
• LPCI-3488A: 120 mm x 64 mm
• USB-3488A: 81.7 mm (L) x 66.1 mm (W) x 27.8 mm (H)
• GPIB: IEEE-488 standard 24 pin
• USB: USB standard series A plug (USB-3488A)
• All operations can be executed with the ADL-GPIB driver package
Updated 03-28, 2012.
©2012
ADLINK Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All specifications are subject to change without further notice.
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