|
|
| GPIB in a new design – The DeLuxe series by Meilhaus Electronic |
GPIB was originally developed by Hewlett-Packard in the late 1960s and was accepted as IEEE-488 standard in the 1970s. The GPIB / IEEE-488 interface has been the choice of professionals, when it comes to a proven connection of PCs to measurement devices ever since. Its rugged, industrial grade connector mechanisms, its real-time response and maximum connection length still gives it advantages over the more modern USB or LAN/Ethernet interfaces.
Meilhaus Electronic has been involved with the GPIB ever since it’s founding, over 30 years ago. Since a secure connection is a key factor for dependable communication between a host PC and various measurement devices, Meilhaus Electronic has developed their own line of dependable and innovative line of GPIB cables. The most revolutionary model line is the DeLuxe family. Besides the high quality cable itself, which offers features such as twisted pair lines and multiple shielding to prevent interferences, the DeLuxe cables have special connectors. These connectors are not made of the usual die-cast zinc, but of aluminium. This reduces the weight by about 50%, which is an important factor, when several connectors are stacked, as it is often the case in GPIB applications. Another advantage is the lower resistance, which leads to an improved shielding. The most innovative feature of this new connector is that the wire exits the housing at a 30-degree angle. This allows connectivity to GPIB interfaces that are located in slightly recessed enclosures as they are often encountered when GPIB boards are integrated into standard PC slots, where extension connectors are usually required.
Besides the DeLuxe- and standard lines of GPIB cables with lengths of 0.5 to 20 meters, Meilhaus Electronic offers a wide range of GPIB devices and accessories including adapters from Serial, LAN or USB to GPIB, relays that can be driven by the GPIB and others.