Upgrading GPIB system

[Danl_B]

I have a LabView GPIB interface running on an old XP PC system. It runs a Tektronix waveform generator and an Agilent Multimeter. Unfortunately both instruments predate usb buses. The system also has a multiIO card (which I would replace with a usb 16 bit A-D). I would like to upgrade the GPIB system to run on the Community Edition of LabView in Windows 10 or Windows 11. I know GPIB is a dinosaur and it appears it is no longer supported by NI?  I have considerable money invested in the equipment and being retired money is dear. Is it possible to run a GPIB bus on the newer LabView versions or am I just asking for trouble? Any sage advice will e most appreciated.

[santo_13]

GPIB cards are still actively supported by NI but not the ones released long ago. You need the latest USB-GPIB or PCIe-GPIB card compatible with Win10 or 11.

Yes, LabVIEW has very good support for GPIB cards either through VISA  or GPIB functions.

[Danl_B]

I was hoping to find a USB solution. When I search products I find the GPIB-USB-HS+ and GPIB-USB-HS devices. But when I look up the specs I find it in the archives with a note the devices are no longer supported.And with a price over $1100 for an unsupported device I'm going to have to swallow awful hard. I also looked up the GPIB-Serial device Model: GPIB-RS232 Part Number: 779732-01 but got a 404 page not found error when I tried to look at the spec sheet.

Am I looking in the wrong place?

[crossrulz]

The GPIB-USB-HS is listed as a "Mature" lifecycle, which means it is on the way out.  The GPIB-USB-HS+ is still in the active lifecycle, so it should be around and supported for a while yet.

GPIB Instrument Control Device 

GPIB Hardware Installation Guide and Specifications 

The price is my main reason for getting away from GPIB whenever possible.  It is a good bus, but LXI/LAN/TCP/Ethernet seems to have taken it over for instrumentation.  I find LAN easier to setup and consistently use than USB.

[santo_13]

If cost is your concern, Prologix has some good low cost alternatives, you need to use their drivers but they seem to have LabVIEW examples too.

https://prologix.biz/product/gpib-usb-controller/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt8GF5JjF_QIVVxPUAR3Y2Q5jEAQYBCAB...

[Danl_B]

Thank you for the info. I wish I could move to another bus but I have considerable investment in the instruments I have. Even at $1000+ the GPIB module is considerably cheaper than replacing the instrumentation. I'm swallowing hard at the cost as I am retired.

I do have an opportunity to pick up an earlier 778416-01 GPIB-USB-HS+ at a fraction of the cost of a newer pn 783368-01. Does anyone know if it would it work with Windows 10/11 or should I just get the new device and move forward?

I do see the Chinese clones of both the 778416-01 and 783368-01 showing up all over the web but am not interested in them. I really prefer a true NI product and don't mind buying used but it is hard to ferret which a legit and which are clones. It is worth shelling out some money to avoid the headaches.

[santo_13 · Accepted solution]

Even the Prologix are still USB-GPIB just that they are not NI and use dedicated drivers.

GPIB-USB-HS+  driver vs OS support is as follows,