Does Contec GPIB compatible with NI-488.2?

[nonomiya]

Dear Sir,

I found Contec GPIB products are compatible with NI-488.2.

Does that means I do not need to re-write my existed GPIB applications under NI-488.2?

I am wondering what is the difference between Contec GPIB and NI GPIB solution........

Thanks, 

[Dennis_Knutson]

If you use VISA functions you might have problems. You would have to ask Contec if they have a VISA driver.

[Steven_T]

Hello Nonomiya,

What is it that you are wanting to do?  I'm not sure if you are trying to switch your current NI-488.2 application to use Contec or if you are trying to switch your Contec application to use NI GPIB hardware.

Many other GPIB vendors have a very similar API structure to the NI-488.2 driver.  It has become and industry standard.  Most GPIB vendors have very similar calls and the changes required to move from one company's hardware to another should be fairly trivial.  One caveat is that you must use the driver that comes with the hardware.  It is not possible to use the NI-488.2 driver and utilities with 3rd party GPIB interfaces (or the other way around).

That said, there are some features that NI-488.2 supports that other vendors may not have.

1.  Easy debugging with the NI-Spy utility.

2.  Easy configuration using Measurement and Automation Explorer

3.  Support for major hardware in a single driver (NI-488.2 supports PCI, PCIe, USB, and ENET hardware)

4.  64-bit support (if you are likely to migrate to a 64-bit system, Contec may not have a solution)

I hope this helps,

Steven T.