GPIB Controller Card controls test instruments from PC.

Press Release Summary:




Plugging into any open PCI slot, Model 488-LPCI converts desktop or portable PC with PCI bus into IEEE 488.2-compatible bus controller. With 1 MBps data rate, low profile card features 488.2V3 Driver Library for Windows 2000, XP, and Vista that supports up to 16 GPIB controllers and test programs written in Visual Basic 6, Visual Basic.NET, Visual C/C++, and C#. Explorer utility enables interactive control of any GPIB device from computer keyboard.



Original Press Release:



Model 488-LPCI GPIB Controller Card



PLEASANTON, CA, March 6, 2007. Today ICS Electronics announced a new PCI to GPIB Controller Card for controlling test instruments. Designated the Model 488-LPCI, this new card converts any desktop or portable PC with a PCI bus into a full-function, IEEE 488.2 compatible Bus Controller. The 488-LPCI with its 1 Mbyte per second data rate speeds up data transfers and minimizes test time. Applications include controlling instruments, collecting data and running test programs.

The 488-LPCI Controller is a small, low profile, PCI card that plugs onto any open PCI slot. Because it is a low-profile card, the 488-LPCI can be used with standard desktop PCs and with newer, smaller PCs that take advantage of the space savings resulting from the use of low-profile cards. The 488-LPCI is shipped with a standard PCI bracket and with a spare low-profile bracket.

The 488-LPCI comes with ICS's new 488.2V3 Driver Library for Windows 2K, XP and Vista 32-bit operating systems. The 488.2V3 Driver Library supports up to 16 GPIB Controllers and installs a GPIB-32.DLL that is command compatible with the National Instruments command sets. The 488.2V3 Driver Library supports test programs written Microsoft Visual Basic 6, Visual Basic.NET (2005), Visual C/C++ and C#. The 488.2V3 Driver Library is also compatible with VISA Libraries from National Instruments and Agilent so it can run LabVIEW, Matlab, VEE and other test applications programs that make VISA calls. The 488.2V3 Driver also includes ICS's new Explorer utility, which provides the user with an integrated Explorer-Communicate-Configure capability.

When run, Explorer automatically configures any new GPIB Controllers it finds and then locates and displays all GPIB Controllers and the GPIB devices connected to them. ICS's Explorer can display up to 16 GPIB Controllers and their instruments. The user can examine every device, link to the Configuration and Communicate with Instrument forms or verify the software installation. The Configure form lets the user quickly view and change the Controller's settings. The Communicate with Instrument form lets the user interactively control any GPIB device from the computer keyboard without having to write a program. The Communicate form is ideal for testing the 488-LPCI Card, for exercising GPIB devices or for trying out device commands before using them in a program.

Pricing for the 488-LPCI is $395 each is quantities of 1 to 4 units, FOB Pleasanton, California. Delivery is 1 week ARO.

ICS Electronics is a pioneer and leader in the design and development of IEEE 488 Bus support products and VXIbus products. The ICS has been supplying GPIB Controllers and Interfaces for over 27 years and the 488-LPCI Card and 488.2V3 Driver Library are part of a new series of GPIB Controllers being released by ICS.

ICS Electronics is headquartered at 7034 Commerce Circle, Pleasanton, CA 94588. Phone (925) 416-1000. Contact Jerry Mercola, Marketing Manager for more information.

The 488-LCPI data sheet can be downloaded from
http://icselect.com/gpib_ctlrs_ds.html#LPCI

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