The NI CPCI-GPIB interface provides IEEE 488.2 connectivity for modular embedded systems built on the PCI Mezzanine Card (PMC) standard. It integrates into CompactPCI architectures to enable control and data acquisition from GPIB instruments in industrial and embedded environments. Built on the NI TNT4882C ASIC, this interface delivers high-speed data transfers with reliable instrument communication.
Technical Specifications
Data Transfer Performance
• Up to 8 Mbytes/s with High-Speed GPIB (HS488) protocol
• More than 7.7 Mbytes/s with HS488 non-interlocked handshake
• More than 1.5 Mbytes/s using IEEE 488.1 three-wire interlocked handshake
• PCIe variants achieve up to 7980 kbytes/s (HS488) and 1536 kbytes/s (3-wire mode)
Core Architecture
• ASIC: NI TNT4882C for IEEE 488 Talker, Listener, and Controller functions
• Bus Master DMA Controller minimizes microprocessor interruptions
• Software configurable; Plug and Play installation
• Supports up to 14 instruments per interface
• Compatible with bus extenders or expanders for expanded instrument connectivity
Electrical
• Power: +3.3 V, 320 mA typical; 500 mA maximum
• PCIe-GPIB draws power from PCI Express channel (no external supply required)
• Some variants: 560 mA maximum at +3.3 V
Connectors & Physical
• GPIB: IEEE 488 24-pin female connector
• PMC: PCI Mezzanine Bus connector (CompactPCI compatible)
• PCIe-GPIB: x1 PCI Express interface (PCI Express Base Specification, Revision 1.0a)
• PCIe-GPIB dimensions: 9.754 cm × 6.888 cm (3.840 in. × 2.712 in.)
• PCI-GPIB (full-height): 13.3 cm × 10.7 cm (5.25 in. × 4.20 in.)
• PCI-GPIB/LP dimensions: 12 cm × 6.44 cm (4.72 in. × 2.54 in.)
– Key Features
• Direct IEEE 488.2 compliance for standards-based instrument control
• DMA-based transfers reduce CPU overhead in high-throughput applications
• Compact form factor for space-constrained CompactPCI systems
• Flexible instrument scaling via extender/expander support
– Typical Applications
Automated test systems, modular embedded instrumentation, industrial process control, and distributed data acquisition requiring GPIB instrument integration.
– Compatibility & Integration
Designed for CompactPCI and PMC-based systems. PCI Express variants comply with PCI Express Base Specification, Revision 1.0a. Older PCIe-GPIB versions (part 190243x-01, pre-2008) may exhibit different power consumption and thermal specifications.
