GPIB-to-USB or GPIB-to-ethernet - options for home lab

[TheUnnamedNewbie]

Hi guys,

If you have a lot of older gear in the home lab it will likely not come with USB or LXI/ethernet, but will have GPIB. I was wanting to do some automated testing of stuff, but I have no GPIB interface to connect to my instruments. Looking online, GPIB-to-USB or GPIB-to-ethernet opetions all see quite expensive (around 200 euros).

Is there any reason these are so expensive? (do they contain some special unobtanium or something?) or is this just market-supply-demand-markup going on? Are there any cheaper options, perhaps using home made controllers with arduinos or rPi or whatever?

[pelule]

Option1: build your own GBIB to USB (for example PIC ate Arduino based) - there are some project published (just use the g..le)
Option2: buy a used GPIB-to-USB converter at the bay (got mine for ~70 EUR incl shipping)
Otpion2: buy a cheap chinese GPIB-To-USB converter (~80-100 EUR)
Option3: time to time in the bay some used GPIB PC cards are offered at the bay (I got my PCI one for ~30 EUR inc. shipping)
/PeLuLe

[alm]

I think it's mostly that it's a niche market. Keep in mind that the standard requires more substantial drivers than a MCU I/O pin, so the cheap DIY ones might not work reliably with some devices or many devices in a chain.

It depends on the software you want to use. With software from NI or something from a big instrument manufacturer like BenchVue, you will need an adapter that supports the current version of NI-VISA or Keysight VISA.

Something like the HP E2050A can be used as LAB to GPIB gateway, and can sometimes be found for $50 or so on eBay, but is not supported by current Keysight software versions. But it works fine with python-vxi11. The more modern E5810A, that is still supported by their current software, is much more expensive.

[Fortran]

I'm using this. 
http://dalton.ax/gpib/

Works great with all of my gear.
I've got spare boards if you're interested.

[Magnum]

I am using a Agilent 82357B from Ebay. It works great with Keysight VEE and Labview. There are lots of them available from China, some seem to be clones, some seem to be original: https://www.ebay.de/itm/NEW-Agilent-82357B-USB-GPIB-Interface-Adapter-GPIB-USB-Controller/192183286857?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo%3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160630134825%26meid%3D940546cf2e0f47b48fcdd2211750c523%26pid%3D100507%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2045573.c100507.m3226

[BloodyCactus]

ICS 8065 show up on ebay cheap time to time. I have one. it works very well. You can I think daisy chain 16 GPIB instruments to it and connect it to lan. works very well.

[TheUnnamedNewbie]

I am using a Agilent 82357B from Ebay. It works great with Keysight VEE and Labview. There are lots of them available from China, some seem to be clones, some seem to be original: https://www.ebay.de/itm/NEW-Agilent-82357B-USB-GPIB-Interface-Adapter-GPIB-USB-Controller/192183286857?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo%3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160630134825%26meid%3D940546cf2e0f47b48fcdd2211750c523%26pid%3D100507%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2045573.c100507.m3226

Going by the fact that the first image shows "Functional Test Ceryificate" answers the question of authenticity I think  However, for 75 Euros it might be worth trying... I'll have a look.

But I'll keep a lookout. I don't want to try a DIY solution, I don't trust my ability with anything digital and don't want to have to question the device every time I run into issues...

[Bratster]

Another gpib-ethernet one to look for on eBay is the tektronix ad007. Occasionally they crop up for a good price, $50-90 US dollars.

While older, it talks standard Visa.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[DC1MC]

I'm using this. 
http://dalton.ax/gpib/

Works great with all of my gear.
I've got spare boards if you're interested.

Hi, I'm interested in a pair of boards, please PM me with shipping to Germany included.

 Cheers,
 DC1MC

[wakawakawaka]

Hi, do you have an idea of the longevity of these? I have a GPIB-USB that cost something like $300, but I have to power cycle it periodically.