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488-USB USB-to-GPIB Controller Module for PCs Converts any PC with a USB interface into a GPIB Bus Controller. Lets any PC control GPIB and HP-IB Devices. Completely IEEE-488.2 Compatible. Runs all required command protocols. NI 488.2 Compatible NI 488.2 Compatible Runs programs with NI commands. Lets you try out commands and control instruments without writing a program. Windows Plug&Play. Easy USB installation - No dip switches to set or resource conflicts. Firmware downloaded over USB bus. Upgrade as new drivers become available.ICS's 488-USB is a small USB-to-GPIB Controller Module that converts any PC with a USB interface into a full- function,IEEE 488.2 Bus Controller.The 488-USB performs all of the basic IEEE
488.1 functions such as talker,listener and system controller.Its IEEE-488.2 controller routines make it fully compliant with the IEEE 488.2 specification. The 488-USB module is a Plug &Play
USB peripheral that is fully compatible with Windows 98,ME,2000 and XP operating systems.
Hardware
ICS's 488-USB Controller is a small module that plugs onto any open GPIB connector.The open GPIB connector can be the open end of a cable stack,on the back of an instrument or an unused connector on ICS's GPIB BusStrip ™. Finger size jackscrews
secure and hold the 488-USB module in any position. Three LEDs provide visual status and diagnostic help for troubleshooting system problems.
Software
The 488-USB's 488.2 Driver supports Windows 98,ME,2000 and XP operating systems and Windows programming languages like Visual Basic and Visual C/C++.The 488.2 Driver provides all of the required 488.2 command and controller protocols.The 488.2 Driver includes National Instruments'488.1 'ib'and 488.2 com-
mand sets plus ICS's 488-PC2 Command Set. Use ICS's 488-PC2 Command Set to adapt an existing 488-PC2 programs to
newer PCs with USB interfaces. Release 1 provides support for the NI 488.2/488 Command Sets to run the many Visual Basic
and C language programs written with NI commands. The upcoming Release 2 will add VISA support for National's LabView
and Agilent's Vee programs. Example programs are provided for C/C++and Visual Basic.
Keyboard
Controller Program
The 488-USB includes a new version of ICS's Keyboard Controller program for Windows which provides interactive control of GPIB devices from the computer
keyboard without having to write a program.The Keyboard Controller program is the ideal utility program for testing the
488-USB Controller,for exercising GPIB devices or for trying out device commands before using them in a program.
Ease of Installation
ICS's 488-USB Module is very easy to install.First run the software installation program to load the driver.Next use the included USB cable to plug the Module into a open USB port.The Windows
operating system will automatically detect the 488-USB module and make it available to your program.
Never obsolete
ICS's 488-USB has a soft boot feature
which downloads the controller firmware over the USB bus.When a future firmware change like Release 2 occurs,it can be downloaded to the PC from ICS's website.The 488-USB will be updated the next time the PC is re-booted or when the 488-USB is reconnected to the PC. |
