Application Notes

GPIB to LAN converter

Integration of instruments with an Ethernet interface, such as the R&S®OSP open switch and control platform, into a pure GPIB bus system.

Your requirement

For some time now, new measuring instruments are equipped with an Ethernet connection. Many also come with the conventional GPIB interface. But increasingly,

instruments are being offered without a GPIB interface. Users of pure GPIB bus systems are confronted with the problem that these instruments, such as the R&S®OSP open switch and control platform, cannot be integrated into an existing system.

Connecting the R&S®OSP to a GPIB bus system with a GPIB-to-LAN converter.
Connecting the R&S®OSP to a GPIB bus system with a GPIB-to-LAN converter.
Open Lightbox

Rohde & Schwarz solution

The GPIB-to-LAN converter from ICS Electronics makes it easy to integrate the R&S®OSP, or other instruments that only have an Ethernet interface, into an existing GPIB bus system. Via LAN, any web browser can be used to configure the GPIB-to-LAN converter. No special software or driver is needed after configuration. A general prerequisite is that the VXI-11 protocol can be used, e.g. for LXI instruments.

The R&S®OSP instruments can be controlled and configured via Ethernet using the web GUI or SCPI commands
The R&S®OSP instruments can be controlled and configured via Ethernet using the web GUI or SCPI commands. Alternatively, they can be controlled via the GPIB-to- LAN converter using SCPI commands.
Open Lightbox

Application

The base units of the R&S®OSP220, R&S®OSP230 and R&S®OSP320 open switch and control platform only have the state-of-the-art Ethernet interface. For integration into older systems that use the GPIB bus, the converter is an ideal way to connect the R&S®OSP open switch and control platform and other measuring instruments with Ethernet interface.

The following steps are necessary:

  • Connect the converter to a Windows PC with an Ethernet interface to configure it (for instance, GPIB and TCP/IP address)
  • Set up the configuration and, if necessary, adjust the software (for example, delay time)
General GPIB-to-LAN converter applications
Specifications
Transmission rates GPIB to converter
Converter to GPIB
> 260 kbyte/s
> 180 kbyte/s
Command times *IDN? query typ. 17 ms (VXI-11 protocol)
typ. 3 ms (raw socket)
*CLS com typ. 8.5 ms
Ethernet, type
IP address
IEEE 802.3
static or DHCP (AutoIP)
Data rate (gross) 10BASE-T
100BASE-T
10 Mbit/s
100 Mbit/s
Temperature operating temperature range
storage temperature range
–10 °C to +65 °C
–40 °C to +70 °C
Relative humidity 0 % to 90 %, noncondensing
Dimensions W × H × D 142 mm × 39 mm × 190 mm
(5.57 in × 1.52 in × 7.45 in)
Weight 0.73 kg (1.61 lb)