The Serial488A is a bidirectional GPIB (IEEE-488) to serial converter that enables communication between GPIB instruments and serial-based systems. It bridges controller and peripheral devices across RS-232C and RS-422A interfaces, supporting baud rates from 110 to 57,600 baud with configurable data formats, parity, and flow control. The 32,000-character buffer accommodates slower serial peripherals and asynchronous bit-serial protocols. Hardware handshake (CTS/RTS) or software handshake (XON/XOFF) options provide flexible serial control. Selectable line terminators (CR, LF, CR-LF, LF-CR, or EOI) on both GPIB and serial sides allow protocol adaptation. IEEE 488 metric-stud connector supports Controller Subsets C1–C4, C28 and full Peripheral functionality (SH1, AH1, T6, L4, SR1, PP0, DC1, E1). Designed for benchtop and rack-mount installations, the unit operates on 105–125 VAC or 210–250 VAC at 50/60 Hz with 10 VA maximum power draw.
Technical Specifications
GPIB Interface
• IEEE 488 metric-stud connector
• Controller and Peripheral modes
• Controller Subsets: C1, C2, C3, C4, C28
• Peripheral Functions: SH1, AH1, T6, TE0, L4, LE0, SR1, RL0, PP0, DC1, DT0, E1
• Software-selectable terminators: CR, LF, CR-LF, LF-CR, EOI
Serial Interface
• Standards: RS-232C and RS-422A
• Baud rates: 110, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 3600, 4800, 7200, 9600, 19,200, 57,600
• Data bits: 7 or 8 selectable
• Stop bits: 1 or 2 selectable
• Parity: odd, even, mark, space, none
• Flow control: CTS/RTS (hardware) or XON/XOFF (software)
• Full duplex with Echo/No Echo options
• Connector: 25-pin Sub-D male (DCE)
• Output voltage (RS-422A): ±5 V min; (RS-232C): 5 V typical
• Input voltage: ±3 V min to ±15 V max
Data Buffer
• Capacity: 32,000 characters
Power
• Input: 105–125 VAC or 210–250 VAC, 50/60 Hz
• Consumption: 10 VA max
Physical
• Dimensions: 138 mm W × 190 mm D × 68 mm H
