Alternative to PCMCIA-GPIB+

[anthropoid]

My client recently tried to purchase a PCMCIA-GPIB+ card, only to be told by an NI rep that the card is EOL, and that the only alternative offered is the PCI-GPIB+. As my client isn't willing to haul an entire PC setup around his own clients' sites, can anyone recommend an alternative equivalent GPIB analyzer device that works with a bog-standard Windows 2000 or XP notebook? (Linux drivers and analyzer software are a welcome bonus.)

Acceptable interfaces include PCMCIA and USB.

Thks much!

Message Edited by anthropoid on 06-07-2007 12:06 PM

[smercurio_fc]

I'm not sure why the rep suggested that card to replace the PCMCIA version. Perhaps he didn't completely understand the requirements. If you head over to NI's Products section you will find options. For instance, they have a USB-GPIB device. There are also ethernet-based ones. The list is here.

CORRECTION: It doesn't look like those devices support the analyzer part of it. How critical is this?

Message Edited by smercurio_fc on 06-07-2007 08:59 AM

[anthropoid]

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@smercurio_fc wrote:
CORRECTION: It doesn't look like those devices support the analyzer part of it. How critical is this?

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Unfortunately, it's a deal-breaker. The use case is field diagnostics for semicon test equipment, in which a field engineer alternately snoops on the GPIB bus between tester and handler (to capture full interactions rather than just data traffic) and sends data out to emulate tester or handler.

Without the snooping requirement, there are much cheaper alternatives to NI equipment, but when it comes to GPIB analyzers, NI seems to be the only game in town.

Or are they? My client wants to know.

[smercurio_fc]

No, not too many choices available. Sounds like you're going to have to spend some time on the ol' Google. Perhaps this one may work for you.