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The GPIB-140A  from National Instruments (NI) is a high-speed, fiber-optic General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) extender. It essentially overcomes the limitations of the standard GPIB system by extending the communication reach and data transfer rates.

Here's a breakdown of its key functionalities:

  • Extends Cable Length:  A standard GPIB cable can only reach up to 20 meters. The GPIB-140A utilizes fiber optic cables to extend this distance significantly, typically up to 1 kilometer (some variants might offer a 2 km reach).
  • High-Speed Data Transfer:  It supports data transfer rates exceeding 1.1 Mbytes/s for the IEEE 488.1 standard and 2.8 Mbytes/s for the HS488 protocol. This allows for faster communication between instruments and controllers within a GPIB system.
  • Plug-and-Play Compatibility: It typically operates seamlessly with existing software applications designed for GPIB communication. No software modifications are usually required when using the GPIB-140A.

Here are some common applications for the GPIB-140A:

  • Test and Measurement Systems:  Extending communication distances between test instruments and controllers in automated test setups.
  • Data Acquisition Systems:  Connecting remote data acquisition modules to a central controller over long distances.
  • Industrial Automation Systems:  Facilitating communication between industrial controllers and instruments spread across a larger facility.

If you'd like to learn more about the GPIB-140A, here are some resources:

  • National Instruments Website:  NI provides information and resources on the GPIB-140A on their website, including user manuals and specifications: https://www.ni.com/en-us/support/model.gpib-140a.html
  • Online Retailers:  Several online retailers sell the GPIB-140A. You can search for it to find current pricing and availability.