Electronics → Inexpensive GPIB controller needed

What is the most cost-effective way to control a GPIB-interfaced Agilent Technologies power supply? I recall that the old Commodore PET computer had a GPIB output, but there probably aren't too many of them out there that are still operational.

This is strictly for hobbyist use, so the solution doesn't need to be something that will last for years under every-day use in a factory. The power supply is controllable from the front panel, but the service manual specifies the use of GPIB commands to adjust the internal calibration potentiometers.

(UPDATE): I see that Agilent makes a USB-to-GPIB adapter (»www.neobits.com/agilent_ ··· odYS4Amw ), but the price is definitely out of the hobbyist territory. Hard to believe that something so small costs so much!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Check ebay item # 290809568485

There are several GPIB to USB interfaces for less than $100.

Of course, you could build your own:
»lpvo.fe.uni-lj.si/en/raz ··· mesniki/

I suppose that by the time I locate all of the parts to build my own controller and then assemble them and test everything out, I may as well buy this: »gpibusb.com/GPIB-USB-Con ··· ter.aspx . Amazingly, it includes Mac drivers (most of this type of stuff seems to be for Windows only).

I bought 2 of these power supplies (Model 6033A) from a surplus store the other day. Going through the initial checkout procedures in the Operating Manual, it seems that they are both at least partially alive. The fans did need lubrication (why did they use sleeve-bearing fans in what must have been expensive equipment when it was new?). Oh well, for the amount of use I will be giving them, the fans will probably last the rest of my life, so I won't concern myself about this.

There are also PCI cards - cheapest I saw on eBay was $70. (this one comes with Mac software - not sure if software for DOS/Windows is available - and of course, have to consider driver support if you're using a modern OS). There are other cards listed as well - some listed as Best Offer - with prices up to ~$900.

You may be able to find one cheaper elsewhere..

Mac OS Version 7.6.6 is beyond ancient (stone-age even). My Mac will accept PCI-E cards, but not the old PCI variety.

It appears that a USB adapter is the most simple approach.

How about this for $0.99? (plus $11.35 S/H )

»www.ebay.com/itm/Nationa ··· cccdc51c

The price is certainly right, but, as I indicated above, my Mac will only accept PCI-E cards; it has no slots capable of holding the old PCI cards. So, I could not use the card you suggested. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, however.

The phrase "Inexpensive GPIB" is an oxymoron.

If time is of no importance and you are good with microcontrollers you can roll your own. Pretty much any dev board with USB (or even RS-232 if throughput isn't an issue) and 16 GPIO pins will do.

Thanks for the suggestion, but microprocessor programming is not one of my strengths.

I just wanted to comment that some USB-GPIB interfaces have occasional compatibility problems. Unfortunately their drivers are also proprietary and vendors rarely update them. If you find a really cheap one from eBay and such, please check online for the manual and latest driver.

By the way Ethernet-GPIB converters are self-contained, can reach instruments 300ft from any Windows/Mac/Linux computer and you can even run them over WiFi. But they cost a bit more.

I notice Prologix Ethernet to GPIB is selling for $199 at Sparkfun (
»www.sparkfun.com/products/8841 ) which is $50 more than their USB model.

Yes, the articles I found also indicated that the Ethernet models are more expensive.

I have also found this to be true. Compatibility with programming software is also an issue. We use only National Instruments GPIB interfaces since we primarily program instruments with LabVIEW. While we have had various amounts of success using other brands there is always extra hoops to jump through and "issues" to deal with, while NI hardware is expensive it just works.

" it just works" is a trademark of Apple Incorporated